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¹ So I exhort the Elders among you--I who am their fellow Elder and have been an eye-witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and am also a sharer in the glory which is soon to be revealed.² Be shepherds of God's flock which is among you. Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds;³ not lording it over your Churches but proving yourselves patterns for the flock to imitate.⁴ And then, when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the never-withering wreath of glory.

⁵ In the same way you younger men must submit to your elders; and all of you must gird yourselves with humility towards one another, for God sets Himself against the proud, but gives grace to the humble.⁶ Humble yourselves therefore beneath the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time He may set you on high.⁷ Throw the whole of your anxiety upon Him, because He Himself cares for you.

⁸ Curb every passion, and be on the alert. Your great accuser, the Devil, is going about like a roaring lion to see whom he can devour.⁹ Withstand him, firm in your faith; knowing that your brethren in other parts of the world are passing through just the same experiences.

¹⁰ And God, the giver of all grace, who has called you to share His eternal glory, through Christ, after you have suffered for a short time, will Himself make you perfect, firm, and strong.¹¹ To Him be all power unto the Ages of the Ages! Amen.¹² I send this short letter by Silas, our faithful brother--for such I regard him--in order to encourage you, and to bear witness that what I have told you is the true grace of God. In it stand fast.¹³ The Church in Babylon, chosen like yourselves by God, sends greetings, and so does Mark my son.¹⁴ 14 Salute one another with a kiss of love [the symbol of mutual affection]. To all of you that are in Christ Jesus (the Messiah), may there be peace ( [fn] every kind of peace and blessing, especially peace with God, and [fn] reedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts). Amen (so be it).