圣经-新约（天主教思高圣经）
不认识圣经，就是不认识基督，不认识基督，就是不认识基督所建立的天主教会。
新约·伯多禄前书
共5章:
第一章(25)
致候辞
1:1 耶稣基督的宗徒伯多禄致书给散居在本都、迦拉达、卡帕多细雅、亚细亚和彼提尼雅作旅客的选民：
1:2 你们被召选，是照天主的预定；受圣神祝圣，是为服事耶稣基督，和分沾他宝血洗净之恩。愿恩宠和平安丰富地赐予你们！
序言 得沾救恩的福分
1:3 愿我们的主耶稣基督的天主和父受赞美！他因自己的大仁慈，藉耶稣基督由死者中的复活，重生了我们，为获得那充满生命的希望，
1:4 为获得那为你们已存留在天上的不坏、无瑕、不朽的产业，
1:5 因为你们原是为天主的能力所保护，为使你们借着信德，而获得那已准备好，在最后时期出现的救恩。
1:6 为此，你们要欢跃，虽然如今你们暂时还该在各种试探中受苦，
1:7 这是为使你们的信德，得以精炼，比经过火炼而仍易消失的黄金，更有价值，好在耶稣基督显现时，堪受称赞、光荣和尊敬。
1:8 你们虽然没有见过他，却爱慕他；虽然你们如今仍看不见他，还是相信他；并且以不可言传，和充满光荣的喜乐而欢跃，
1:9 因为你们已把握住信仰的效果：灵魂的救恩。
1:10 关于这救恩，那些预言了你们要得恩宠的先知们，也曾经寻求过，考究过，
1:11 就是考究那在他们内的基督的圣神，预言那要临于基督的苦难，和以后的光荣时，指的是什么时期，或怎样的光景。
1:12 这一切给他们启示出来，并不是为他们自己，而是为给你们服务；这一切，如今借着给你们宣传福音的人，依赖由天上派遣来的圣神，传报给你们；对于这一切奥迹，连众天使也都切望窥探。
信友对天主的义务
应度圣洁的生活
1:13 为此，你们要束上腰，谨守心神；要清醒，要全心希望在耶稣基督显现时，给你们带来的恩宠；
1:14 要做顺命的子女，不要符合你们昔日在无知中生活的欲望，
1:15 但要像那召叫你们的圣者一样，在一切生活上是圣的，
1:16 因为经上记载：『你们应是圣的，因为我是圣的。』
1:17 你们既称呼那不看情面，而只按每人的作为行审判者为父，就该怀着敬畏，度过你们这旅居的时期。
1:18 该知道：你们不是用能朽坏的金银等物，由你们祖传的虚妄生活中被赎出来的，
1:19 而是用宝血，即无玷无瑕的羔羊基督的宝血。
1:20 他固然是在创世以前就被预定了的，但在最末的时期为了你们才出现，
1:21 为使你们因着他，而相信那使他由死者中复活，并赐给他光荣的天主：这样你们的信德和望德，都同归于天主。
赤诚相爱
1:22 你们既因服从真理，而洁净了你们的心灵，获得了真实无伪的弟兄之爱，就该以赤诚的心，热切相爱，
1:23 因为你们原是赖天主生活而永存的圣言，不是由于能坏的，而是由于不能坏的种子，得以重生。
1:24 因为『凡有血肉的都似草，他的一切美丽都似草上的花：草枯萎了，花也就凋谢了；
1:25 但上主的话却永远常存：』这话就是传报给你们的福音。
第二章(25)
应以基督为基石
2:1 所以你们应放弃各种邪恶、各种欺诈、虚伪、嫉妒和各种诽谤，
2:2 应如初生的婴儿贪求属灵性的纯奶，为使你们靠着它生长，以致得救；
2:3 何况你们已尝到了『主是何等的甘饴。』
2:4 你们接近了他，即接近了那为人所摈弃，但为天主所精选，所尊重的活石，
2:5 你们也就成了活石，建成一座属神的殿宇，成为一班圣洁的司祭，以奉献因耶稣基督而中悦天主的属神的祭品。
2:6 这就是经上所记载的：『看，我要在熙雍安放一块精选的，宝贵的基石，凡信赖他的，决不会蒙羞。』
2:7 所以为你们信赖的人，是一种荣幸；但为不信赖的人，是『匠人弃而不用的石头，反而成了屋角的基石；』
2:8 并且是『一块绊脚石，和一块使人跌倒的盘石。』他们由于不相信天主的话，而绊倒了，这也是为他们预定了的。
2:9 至于你们，你们却是特选的种族，王家的司祭，圣洁的国民，属于主的民族，为叫你们宣扬那由黑暗中召叫你们，进入他奇妙之光者的荣耀。
2:10 你们从前不是天主的人民，如今却是天主的人民；从前没有蒙受爱怜，如今却蒙受了爱怜。
应服从政权
2:11 亲爱的！我劝你们作侨民和作旅客的，应戒绝与灵魂作战的肉欲；
2:12 在外教人中要常保持良好的品行，好使那些诽谤你们为作恶者的人，因见到你们的善行，而在主眷顾的日子，归光荣于天主。
2:13 你们要为主的缘故，服从人立的一切制度：或是服从帝王为最高的元首，
2:14 或是服从帝王派遣来惩罚作恶者，奖赏行善者的总督，
2:15 因为这原是天主的旨意：要你们行善，使那些愚蒙无知的人，闭口无言。
2:16 你们要做自由的人，却不可做以自由为掩饰邪恶的人，但该做天主的仆人；
2:17 要尊敬众人，友爱弟兄，敬畏天主，尊敬君王。
仆人对主人应有的态度
2:18 你们做家仆的，要以完全敬畏的心服从主人，不但对良善和温柔的，就是对残暴的，也该如此。
2:19 谁若明知是天主的旨意，而忍受不义的痛苦：这纔是中悦天主的事。
2:20 若你们因犯罪被打而受苦，那还有什么光荣？但若因行善而受苦，而坚心忍耐：这纔是中悦天主的事。
2:21 你们原是为此而蒙召的，因为基督也为你们受了苦，给你们留下了榜样，叫你们追随他的足迹。
2:22 『他没有犯过罪，他口中也从未出过谎言；』
2:23 他受辱骂，却不还骂；他受虐待，却不报复，只将自己交给那照正义行审判的天主；
2:24 他在自己的身上，亲自承担了我们的罪过，上了木架，为叫我们死于罪恶，而活于正义；『你们是因他的创伤而获得了痊愈。』
2:25 你们从前有如迷途的亡羊，如今却被领回，归依你们的灵牧和监督。
第三章(22)
夫妇间应遵守的义务
3:1 同样，你们做妻子的，应当服从自己的丈夫，好叫那些不信从天主话的，为了妻子无言的品行而受感化，
3:2 因为他们看见了，你们怀有敬畏的贞洁品行。
3:3 你们的装饰不应是外面的发型、金饰，或衣服的装束，
3:4 而应是那藏于内心，基于不朽的温柔，和宁静心神的人格：这在天主前纔是宝贵的。
3:5 从前那些仰望天主的圣妇，正是这样装饰了自己，服从了自己的丈夫。
3:6 就如撒辣听从了亚巴郎，称他为「主」；你们如果行善，不害怕任何恐吓，你们就是她的女儿。
3:7 同样，你们作丈夫的，应该凭着信仰的智慧与妻子同居，待她们有如较为脆弱的器皿，尊敬她们，有如与你们共享生命恩宠的继承人：这样你们的祈祷便不会受到阻碍。
应以爱德与人相处
3:8 总之，你们都该同心合意，互表同情，友爱弟兄，慈悲为怀，谦逊温和；
3:9 总不要以恶报恶，以骂还骂；但要祝福，因为你们原是为继承祝福而蒙召的。
3:10 所以『凡愿意爱惜生命，和愿意享见幸福日子的，就应谨守口舌，不说坏话，克制嘴唇，不言欺诈；
3:11 躲避邪恶，努力行善，寻求和平，全心追随，
3:12 因为上主的双目垂顾正义的人，他的两耳俯听他们的哀声；但上主的威容敌视作恶的人。』
苦难中应有的态度
应安心受苦
3:13 如果你们热心行善，谁能加害你们呢？
3:14 但若你们为正义而受苦，纔是有福的。你们不要害怕人们的恐吓，也不要心乱，
3:15 你们但要在心内尊崇基督为主；若有人询问你们心中所怀希望的理由，你们要时常准备答复，
3:16 且要以温和、以敬畏之心答复，保持纯洁的良心，好使那些诬告你们在基督内有良好品行的人，在他们诽谤你们的事上，感到羞愧。
基督无辜受苦的模范
3:17 若天主的旨意要你们因行善而受苦，自然比作恶而受苦更好，
3:18 因为基督也曾一次为罪而死，且是义人代替不义的人，为将我们领到天主面前；就肉身说，他固然被处死了；但就神魂说，他却复活了。
3:19 他藉这神魂，曾去给那些在狱中的灵魂宣讲过；
3:20 这些灵魂从前在诺厄建造方舟的时日，天主耐心期待之时，原是不信的人；当时赖方舟经过水而得救的不多，只有八个生灵。
3:21 这水所预表的圣洗，如今赖耶稣基督的复活拯救了你们，并不是涤除肉体的污秽，而是向天主要求一纯洁的良心。
3:22 至于耶稣基督，他升了天，坐在天主的右边，众天使、掌权者和异能者都屈伏在他权下。
第四章(19)
应度圣洁的生活
4:1 基督既然在肉身上受了苦难，你们就应该具备同样的见识，深信凡在肉身上受苦的，便与罪恶断绝了关系；
4:2 今后不再顺从人性的情欲，而只随从天主的意愿，在肉身内度其余的时日。
4:3 过去的时候，你们实行外教人的欲望，生活在放荡、情欲、酗酒、宴乐、狂饮和违法的偶像崇拜中，这已经够了！
4:4 由于你们不再同他们狂奔于淫荡的洪流中，他们便引以为怪，遂诽谤你们；
4:5 但他们要向那已准备审判生死者的主交账。
4:6 也正是为此，给死者宣讲了这福音：他们虽然肉身方面如同人一样受了惩罚，可是神魂方面却同天主一起生活。
4:7 万事的结局已临近了，所以你们应该慎重，应该醒寤祈祷。
4:8 最重要的是：你们应该彼此热切相爱，因为爱德遮盖许多罪过；
4:9 要彼此款待，而不出怨言。
4:10 各人应依照自己所领受的神恩，彼此服事，善做天主各种恩宠的管理员。
4:11 谁若讲道，就该按天主的话讲；谁若服事，就该本着天主所赐的德能服事，好叫天主在一切事上，因耶稣基督而受到光荣：愿光荣和权能归于他，至于无穷之世。阿们。
应乐于受苦
4:12 亲爱的，你们不要因为在你们中，有试探你们的烈火而惊异，好象遭遇了一件新奇的事；
4:13 反而要喜欢，因为分受了基督的苦难，这样好使你们在他光荣显现的时候，也能欢喜踊跃。
4:14 如果你们为了基督的名字，受人辱骂，便是有福的，因为光荣的神，即天主的神，就安息在你们身上。
4:15 惟愿你们中谁也不要因做凶手，或强盗，或坏人，或做煽乱的人而受苦。
4:16 但若因为是基督徒而受苦，就不该以此为耻，反要为这名称光荣天主，
4:17 因为时候已经到了，审判必从天主的家开始；如果先从我们开始，那些不信从天主福音者的结局，又将怎样呢？
4:18 『如果义人还难以得救，那么恶人和罪人，要有什么结果呢？』
4:19 故此，凡照天主旨意受苦的人，也要把自己的灵魂托付给忠信的造物主，专务行善。
各项劝言
第五章(14)
司牧与信友间的义务
5:1 所以我这同为长老的，为基督苦难作证的，以及同享那将要显示的光荣的人，劝勉你们中间的众长老：
5:2 你们务要牧放天主托付给你们的羊群；尽监督之职，不是出于不得已，而是出于甘心，随天主的圣意；也不是出于贪卑鄙的利益，而是出于情愿；
5:3 不是做托你们照管者的主宰，而是做群羊的模范：
5:4 这样，当总司牧出现时，你们必领受那不朽的荣冠。
5:5 同样，你们青年人，应该服从长老；大家都该穿上谦卑作服装，彼此侍候，因为『天主拒绝骄傲人，却赏赐恩宠于谦逊人。』
5:6 为此，你们该屈服在天主大能的手下，这样在适当的时候，他必举扬你们；
5:7 将你们的一切挂虑都托给他，因为他必关照你们。
最后劝言
5:8 你们要节制，要醒寤，因为，你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同咆哮的狮子巡游，寻找可吞食的人；
5:9 应以坚固的信德抵抗他，也该知道：你们在世上的众弟兄，都遭受同样的苦痛。
5:10 那赐万恩的天主，即在基督内召叫你们进入他永远光荣的天主，在你们受少许苦痛之后，必要亲自使你们更为成全、坚定、强健、稳固。
5:11 愿光荣与权能归于他，至于无穷之世。阿们。
问安与祝福
5:12 我借忠信的弟兄息耳瓦诺，给你们写了这封我认为简短的书信，为劝勉你们，并为证明这实在是天主的恩宠：在这恩宠上你们应该站稳。
5:13 与你们一同被选的巴比伦教会问候你们；我儿马尔谷也问候你们。
5:14 你们要以爱的亲吻，彼此问候。愿平安与在基督内的你们众人同在。
BOOK ENDS. Seraphim, April 2009.
JB 1 PETER Chapter 1
THE FIRST LETTER OF PETER
Address. Greetings
1:1 Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ, sends greetings to all those living among foreigners in the Dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen,
1:2 by the provident purpose of God the Father, to be made holy by the Spirit, obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood. Grace and peace be with you more and more.
Introduction. The salvation of Christians
1:3 Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope
1:4 and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens.
1:5 Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time.
1:6 This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials;
1:7 so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold – only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire – and then you will have praise and glory and honour.
1:8 You did not see him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described, because you believe;
1:9 and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls.
The hope of the prophets
1:10 It was this salvation that the prophets were looking and searching so hard for; their prophecies were about the grace which was to come to you.
1:11 The Spirit of Christ which was in them foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would come after them, and they tried to find out at what time and in what circumstances all this was to be expected.
1:12 It was revealed to them that the news they brought of all the things which have now been announced to you, by those who preached to you the Good News through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, was for you and not for themselves. Even the angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.
A call to sanctity and watchfulness
1:13 Free your minds, then, of encumbrances; control them, and put your trust in nothing but the grace that will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1:14 Do not behave in the way that you liked to before you learnt the truth; make a habit of obedience:
1:15 be holy in all you do, since it is the Holy One who has called you,
1:16 and scripture says: Be holy, for I am holy.[*a]
1:17 If you are acknowledging as your Father one who has no favourites and judges everyone according to what he has done, you must be scrupulously careful as long as you are living away from your home.
1:18 Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you[*b] from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold,
1:19 but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ;
1:20 who, though known since before the world was made, has been revealed only in our time, the end of the ages, for your sake.
1:21 Through him you now have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory for that very reason – so that you would have faith and hope in God.
Love
1:22 You have been obedient to the truth and purified your souls until you can love like brothers, in sincerity; let your love for each other be real and from the heart –
1:23 your new birth was not from any mortal seed but from the everlasting word of the living and eternal God.
1:24 All flesh is grass and its glory like the wild flower’s. The grass withers, the flower falls,
1:25 but the word of the Lord remains for ever.[*c] What is this word? It is the Good News that has been brought to you.
JB 1 PETER Chapter 2
Integrity
2:1 Be sure, then, you are never spiteful, or deceitful, or hypocritical, or envious and critical of each other.
2:2 You are new born, and, like babies, you should be hungry for nothing but milk – the spiritual honesty which will help you to grow up to salvation –
2:3 now that you have tasted the goodness of the Lord.[*a]
The new priesthood
2:4 He is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him
2:5 so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God, may be living stones making a spiritual house.
2:6 As scripture says: See how I lay in Zion a precious cornerstone that I have chosen and the man who rests his trust on it will not be disappointed.[*b]
2:7 That means that for you who are believers, it is precious; but for unbelievers, the stone rejected by the builders has proved to be the keystone,[*c]
2:8 a stone to stumble over, a rock to bring men down.[*d] They stumble over it because they do not believe in the word; it was the fate in store for them.
2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart[*e] to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
2:10 Once you were not a people[*f] at all and now you are the People of God; once you were outside the mercy and now you have been given mercy.
The obligations of Christians: towards pagans
2:11 I urge you, my dear people, while you are visitors and pilgrims[*g] to keep yourselves free from the selfish passions that attack the soul.
2:12 Always behave honourably among pagans so that they can see your good works for themselves and, when the day of reckoning comes, give thanks to God for the things which now make them denounce you as criminals.
Towards civil authority
2:13 For the sake of the Lord, accept the authority of every social institution: the emperor, as the supreme authority,
2:14 and the governors as commissioned by him to punish criminals and praise good citizenship.
2:15 God wants you to be good citizens, so as to silence what fools are saying in their ignorance.
2:16 You are slaves of no one except God, so behave like free men, and never use your freedom as an excuse for wickedness.
2:17 Have respect for everyone and love for our community; fear God and honour the emperor.
Towards masters
2:18 Slaves must be respectful and obedient to their masters, not only when they are kind and gentle but also when they are unfair.
2:19 You see, there is some merit in putting up with the pains of unearned punishment if it is done for the sake of God
2:20 but there is nothing meritorious in taking a beating patiently if you have done something wrong to deserve it. The merit, in the sight of God, is in bearing it patiently when you are punished after doing your duty.
2:21 This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took.
2:22 He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth.[*h]
2:23 He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge.
2:24 He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian[*i] of your souls.
JB 1 PETER Chapter 3
In marriage
3:1 In the same way, wives should be obedient to their husbands. Then, if there are some husbands who have not yet obeyed the word, they may find themselves won over, without a word spoken, by the way their wives behave,
3:2 when they see how faithful and conscientious they are.
3:3 Do not dress up for show: doing up your hair, wearing gold bracelets and fine clothes;
3:4 all this should be inside, in a person’s heart, imperishable: the ornament of a sweet and gentle disposition – this is what is precious in the sight of God.
3:5 That was how the holy women of the past dressed themselves attractively – they hoped in God and were tender and obedient to their husbands;
3:6 like Sarah, who was obedient to Abraham, and called him her lord. You are now her children, as long as you live good lives and do not give way to fear or worry.
3:7 In the same way, husbands must always treat their wives with consideration in their life together, respecting a woman as one who, though she may be the weaker partner, is equally an heir to the life of grace. This will stop anything from coming in the way of your prayers.
Towards the brothers
3:8 Finally: you should all agree among yourselves and be sympathetic; love the brothers, have compassion and be self-effacing.
3:9 Never pay back one wrong with another, or an angry word with another one; instead, pay back with a blessing. That is what you are called to do, so that you inherit a blessing yourself.
3:10 Remember: Anyone who wants to have a happy life and to enjoy prosperity must banish malice from his tongue, deceitful conversation from his lips;
3:11 he must never yield to evil but must practise good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
3:12 Because the face of the Lord frowns on evil men, but the eyes of the Lord are turned towards the virtuous.[*a]
In persecution
3:13 No one can hurt you if you are determined to do only what is right;
3:14 if you do have to suffer for being good, you will count it a blessing. There is no need to be afraid or to worry about them.[*b]
3:15 Simply reverence the Lord[*c] Christ in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have.
3:16 But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander you when you are living a good life in Christ may be proved wrong in the accusations that they bring.
3:17 And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
The resurrection and ‘the descent into hell’
3:18 Why, Christ himself, innocent though he was, had died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life,
3:19 and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison.
3:20 Now it was long ago, when Noah was still building that ark which saved only a small group of eight people ‘by water’, and when God was still waiting patiently, that these spirits refused to believe.
3:21 That water is a type of the baptism which saves you now, and which is not the washing off of physical dirt but a pledge made to God from a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
3:22 who has entered heaven and is at God’s right hand, now that he has made the angels and Dominations and Powers his subjects.
JB 1 PETER Chapter 4
4:1 Think of what Christ suffered in this life, and then arm yourselves with the same resolution that he had: anyone who in this life has bodily suffering has broken with sin,
4:2 because for the rest of his life on earth he is not ruled by human passions but only by the will of God.
4:3 You spent quite long enough in the past living the sort of life that pagans live, behaving indecently, giving way to your passions, drinking all the time, having wild parties and drunken orgies and degrading yourselves by following false gods.
4:4 So people cannot understand why you no longer hurry off with them to join this flood which is rushing down to ruin, and then they begin to spread libels about you.
4:5 They will have to answer for it in front of the judge who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
4:6 And because he is their judge too, the dead had to be told the Good News as well, so that though, in their life on earth, they had been through the judgement that comes to all humanity, they might come to God’s life in the spirit.
The revelation of Christ is close
4:7 Everything will soon come to an end, so, to pray better, keep a calm and sober mind.
4:8 Above all, never let your love for each other grow insincere, since love covers over many a sin.[*a]
4:9 Welcome each other into your houses without grumbling.
4:10 Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these different graces of God, put yourselves at the service of others.
4:11 If you are a speaker, speak in words which seem to come from God; if you are a helper, help as though every action was done at God’s orders; so that in everything God may receive the glory, through Jesus Christ, since to him alone belong all glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.
Recapitulation
4:12 My dear people, you must not think it unaccountable that you should be tested by fire. There is nothing extraordinary in what has happened to you.
4:13 If you can have some share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, because you will enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed.
4:14 It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ, because it means that you have the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God resting on you.
4:15 None of you should ever deserve to suffer for being a murderer, a thief, a criminal or an informer;
4:16 but if anyone of you should suffer for being a Christian, then he is not to be ashamed of it; he should thank God that he has been called one.
4:17 The time has come for the judgement to begin at the household of God; and if what we know now is only the beginning, what will it be when it comes down to those who refuse to believe God’s Good News?
4:18 If it is hard for a good man to be saved, what will happen to the wicked and to sinners ?[*b]
4:19 So even those whom God allows to suffer must trust themselves to the constancy of the creator and go on doing good.
JB 1 PETER Chapter 5
Instructions: to the elders
5:1 Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed.
5:2 Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it.
5:3 Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow.
5:4 When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.
To the faithful
5:5 To the rest of you I say: do what the elders tell you, and all wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other, because God refuses the proud and will always favour the humble.[*a]
5:6 Bow down, then, before the power of God now, and he will raise you up on the appointed day;
5:7 unload all your worries on to him,[*b] since he is looking after you.
5:8 Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat.
5:9 Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers all over the world are suffering the same things.
5:10 You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will see that all is well again: he will confirm, strengthen and support you.
5:11 His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen.
Last words. Greetings
5:12 I write these few words to you through Silvanus, who is a brother I know I can trust, to encourage you never to let go this true grace of God to which I bear witness.
5:13 Your sister in Babylon, who is with you among the chosen, sends you greetings; so does my son, Mark.
5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ.
END OF JB 1 PETER [5 Chapters].