5I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you. I am a witness of Christ's sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be revealed. I appeal to youG4245G1722G5213G3870G3588G4850G2532G3144G3804G5547G2532G2844G1391G3195G6012to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve.G4165G4168G2316G1722G5213G1983G3361G317G235G1596G3366G147G235G42903Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock.G3366G5613G2634G2819G235G1096G5179G41684And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious crown which will never lose its brightness.G2532G750G5319G2865G4735G1391G2625In the same way you younger people must submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble."G3668G3501G5293G4245G1161G3956G5293G240G1463G5012G3754G2316G498G5244G1161G1325G5485G50116Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time.G5013G3767G5259G2900G5495G2316G2443G5312G5209G1722G25407Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.G1977G3956G5216G3308G1909G846G3754G846G3199G4012G52168Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.G3525G1127G3754G5216G476G1228G5613G5612G3023G4043G2212G5101G26669Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that other believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings.G3739G436G4731G4102G1492G846G3804G2005G5216G81G1722G288910But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation.G1161G2316G3956G5485G3588G2564G2248G1519G846G166G1391G1722G5547G2424G3958G3641G846G2675G5209G2675G4741G4599G231111To him be the power forever! Amen.G846G1391G2532G2904G1519G165G165G281
Final Greetings
12I write you this brief letter with the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful Christian. I want to encourage you and give my testimony that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.G1223G4610G4103G80G5213G5613G3049G1125G1223G3641G3870G2532G1957G5026G1511G227G5485G2316G1519G3739G247613Your sister church in Babylon, also chosen by God, sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark.G1722G897G4899G782G5209G2532G3138G3450G520714Greet one another with the kiss of Christian love. May peace be with all of you who belong to Christ.G782G240G1722G5370G26G1515G5213G3956G1722G5547G2424G281