1 Peter

To the selected expatriates of the dispersion^a of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia, in accordance with the foreknowledge of God the father, in the sanctification of the spirit, into obedience to Yeshua the Anointed, and the sprinkling of his blood.

Grace to you⁼, and may your⁼ peace be multiplied. Bless God the father of our lord Yeshua the Anointed, that according to his great mercy he’s caused us to be born again into a living expectation, (through the resurrection of Yeshua the Anointed from the dead), into an immortal inheritance, undefiled, unfading, which has been kept in the heavens for you⁼ — who through faith are being guarded by the power of God for salvation, (which is ready to be revealed in the last time), in which you’re⁼ rejoicing greatly, though for the present you⁼ might be saddened slightly in various trials for the discernment of your⁼ faith, (of much greater value than gold, which will eventually perish, even though it’s discerned by fire), which may be found to result in praise, and honour, and in glory at the revelation of Yeshua the Anointed, whom you⁼ love, even though you⁼ don’t know him, and in whom you⁼ trust, even though you⁼ don’t see him now, and you’re⁼ rejoicing with unspeakable and glorious joy, receiving the fulfilment of your⁼ faith — the salvation of your⁼ souls, for which salvation the prophets, (who prophesied about the grace to you⁼), sought out and searched for — searching for when, or at what kind of time, the sufferings, and then the glory of the Anointed would be, (about which the spirit of the Anointed among them revealed, when he testified beforehand), to whom it was revealed that they weren’t ministering to themselves but to us, in these things which have now been told to you⁼ through those who have brought the good news to you⁼, by the holy spirit who was sent from heaven, and into which messengers desire to peer.

Therefore, gird^b up the loins of your⁼ understanding, be sober, and rely completely on the grace which is being brought to you⁼ by the revelation of Yeshua the Anointed. And like obedient children, don’t conform to the desires which you⁼ had before, (in your⁼ ignorance), but just as the one who calls you⁼ is holy, so you⁼ too — become^c holy in your⁼ whole way of life, because it’s been written, “Become^c holy because I’m holy.”

And if you’re⁼ calling on the father as one who impartially judges the actions of each person, then live out the time of your⁼ sojourn^d in fear, knowing that it wasn’t with mortal things, (silver or gold), that you⁼ were ransomed back from the futile way of life which was handed down to you⁼, but by the precious blood of the Anointed, (as a flawless and spotless lamb), who had indeed been foreknown before the foundation of the world, and was manifested in the last times because of you⁼, those who trust in God, (through him), who raised him from the dead and gives him glory, so that your⁼ faith and expectation are in God.

Since you’ve⁼ purified your⁼ souls by the obedience to the truth, (through a spirit resulting in genuine brotherly love), love one another earnestly from a clean heart. Since you’ve⁼ been born again, not from mortal seed, but from immortal seed, through the living message of God, which remains into the age. Because all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of people is like the flowers of the grass. The grass dries up and its flowers fall off, but the declarations of the lord^e [Yahweh] remain, into the age. And this declaration was the good news which was brought to you⁼.

a) the dispersion was the name given to the Jews who were spread among the nations. It is also sometimes called the diaspora (after the Greek)

b) “girded” means to have something wrapped around and tightened, usually it involved pulling your tunic between your legs and tucking it into your belt

c) “become” here is passive, it is something done to you

d) a sojourn is a period of temporarily living in a foreign country or region

e) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

2 Put aside then, all kinds of evil, and all kinds of deceit, and hypocrisies, envies, and all slanders. Like new born babies, long for unadulterated logical milk, so that you⁼ might grow in it, if in fact you’ve⁼ tasted that the lord is kind, toward whom you’re⁼ approaching — the living stone, which has indeed been rejected by people but selected and precious to God. And you⁼ yourselves, like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up very acceptable spiritual sacrifices to God through Yeshua the Anointed. Because it’s included in the writing, “Look! I place in Zion a cornerstone, selected and precious, and the one who trusts in him won’t be put to shame at all.” To you⁼ then, (to those who trust), it’s precious. But to the disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner, and an obstacle, and a rock snare.

They trip up on the message through being disobedient — which they’ve been placed to do. But you’re⁼ a selected family, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a procured people, (who should recount the virtues of the one who called you⁼ out of darkness into his marvellous light), who were once not a people, but who are now the people of God, who once hadn’t been shown mercy, but who have now been shown mercy.

Beloved! I entreat you⁼ as sojourners^a and expatriates, to keep away from the fleshly desires which are at war against the soul. Having a proper way of life among the nations, so that even when they speak against you⁼ as wrong doers, by being spectators of your⁼ good^b works, they should glorify God on the day of visitation.

Subject yourselves then to all human authority, because of the lord, whether to a king, (as one who’s superior), or to governors, (as one who’s sent through him to punish those who do wrong, and to praise those who do good). Because in the same way it’s the will of God that those who do good will muzzle the ignorance of foolish people.

Be free, but not as those who use their freedom as a cover to do evil, but as slaves of God. Honour everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king. Household slaves — be subject to your⁼ owners in all fear, not only those who are good and fair, but also those who are crooked.

For this is grace — if anyone bears sadness and unrighteously suffers because they’re conscious of God. For what credit is it if you⁼ endure buffeting for sinning? But if you⁼ do good things and endure suffering, this is grace with God. For you’ve⁼ been called to this, because the Anointed also suffered for our sake, leaving you⁼ an example so that you⁼ should follow closely in his footsteps. Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth, who, when he was criticised^c, didn’t criticise back, when he suffered, didn’t threaten, but handed himself over to the one who judges justly, and who himself carried our sins in his body on the pole, so that having died to sins, we should live by righteousness, and by whose welt you⁼ would be healed. For you⁼ were being led astray like sheep, but you’ve⁼ now turned back to the shepherd and watchman of your⁼ souls.

a) a sojourn is a period of temporarily living in a foreign country or region

b) good in terms of quality, not morality

c) in Greek “criticism” has the sense of doing so in an angry or unconstructive way

3 Likewise, wives should be subject to their own husbands, so that if any of them are disobedient to the message, then because of the women’s way of life, without saying anything, they might be gained, being spectators in fear of your⁼ pure way of life. And don’t let it come from the outside, from the braiding of hair, or from wrapping with gold, or from wearing fine clothes, but let it come from the hidden person in the heart, from the immortal beauty of the meek and quiet spirit, which is considered very valuable in the sight of God. For in this way, the holy women of the past, who put their expectation in God, adorned themselves by being subject to their own husbands. Like Sara, who obeyed Abraham, and called him “lord”. Of whom you’ve⁼ become children, those who do good, and who aren’t afraid or terrified by anything.

Likewise the husbands, live with them according to knowledge, (according honour to the feminine as the weaker vessel), and as joint heirs of the grace of life, so that nothing hinders your⁼ prayers.

And finally, all of you⁼, be like minded, be sympathetic, loving like brothers, tender hearted, courteous. Not giving back evil for evil, or criticism^a for criticism, but on the contrary, blessing, because you⁼ know that this is what you⁼ were called to, so that you⁼ may inherit a blessing.

For whoever wants to love life, and to see good days, let them keep their tongue from evil, and let their lips not speak deceit, let them turn away from evil, and let them do good, let them seek peace and pursue it. Because the eyes of the lord^b [Yahweh] are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their petition, but the face of the lord^b [Yahweh] is against those who do evil.

And who’ll mistreat you⁼ if you⁼ become imitators of the good? But if you⁼ suffer because of righteousness, then you’re⁼ blessed. And don’t be afraid or troubled by fear of them, but regard the lord^b [Yahweh] God as holy in your⁼ hearts, and always be ready in defence to everyone who asks you⁼ for a message about the expectation that’s among you⁼ — with meekness and fear, having a clear conscience, so that when they speak badly of you⁼ as wrong doers, those who are maligning your⁼ good way of life in the Anointed might be put to shame. For it’s better, if the will of God wants it, to suffer for being a doer of good, than for being a doer of evil. And also because the Anointed suffered once for sins, (the righteous one on behalf of the unrighteous), so that he may lead you⁼ to God, since he has indeed been put to death in flesh, but has been made alive in spirit, in which he also went and proclaimed to the spirits in jail, who used to be disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being constructed, so that in it a few, (that is, eight), souls were saved through water, which is also a representation of the immersion that now saves us too, (not by the removal of dirt from the flesh, but by the question of a good conscience towards God), through the resurrection of Yeshua the Anointed, who’s at the right hand of God, since he’s gone into heaven, with the messengers, authorities, and powers who’ve been made subject to him.

a) in Greek “criticism” has the sense of doing so in an angry or unconstructive way

b) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

4 So then, since the Anointed suffered for our sakes in the flesh, you⁼ should also arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, because whoever suffers in the flesh has finished with sin, so that they no longer continue their remaining time spent living in the flesh for the desires of people, but for the will of God. For your⁼ life up until now is already more than enough time for you⁼ to spend producing the will of the nations, (having carried on with sexual immorality, desires, debaucheries, wild parties, drunkenness and lawless idolatries), into which they think it strange that you’re⁼ no longer running together with them into the wasteful, unrestrained speaking of evil, and who’ll give an account to the one who’s ready to judge the living and the dead.

For this is why the good news was also preached to the dead, so that they may indeed be judged just as people in the flesh, but should live according to God in the spirit. But the fulfilment of all things is near, so be of a sound mind, and be sober in order for prayers. And most important of all, have earnest love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without murmuring.

Just as each one has received an endowment^a, use it to serve one another, as good^b stewards of the diverse grace of God: if anyone speaks — as if the announcements of God; if anyone serves — as if with the strength which God furnishes; so that in all things God may be glorified through Yeshua the Anointed, to whom is the glory and the might throughout the ages of ages.

Beloved, don’t think that the fire of trials which is coming upon you⁼ is unusual, as if something foreign is befalling you⁼. But in so much as you⁼ participate in the sufferings of the Anointed, rejoice so that you’ll⁼ rejoice exceedingly at the revelation of his glory. If you’re⁼ reproached in the name of the Anointed, then you’re⁼ blessed, because of the glory, and because the spirit of God has come to rest on you⁼, (as he’s indeed spoken evil about by them, but glorified by you⁼).

For none of you⁼ should suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evil doer, or as a meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian^d, then don’t let them be ashamed, but let them glorify God in that. Because it’s the proper time for the beginning of the judgement from the household of God. And if the very first is from us, what will the final outcome of the good news of God be for the disobedient? And if the righteous one is only barely being saved, where will the ungodly and the sinful appear? So then, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their lives to do good, as to a faithful creator.

a) the Greek word has the idea of an undeserved/unmerited gift or favour

b) good in terms of quality, not morality

c) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

d) Christian is a transliteration of the made up Greek word “christianos” which means “followers of the Anointed”

5 To the elders among you⁼, I entreat you⁼ as a fellow elder, as a witness of the sufferings of the Anointed, and as a sharer of the glory which is about to be revealed. Shepherd the flock of God which is among you⁼, watching over them, not out of compulsion but voluntarily, nor greedy for gain, but eagerly; nor as if you⁼ have dominion over your⁼ allotment, but by becoming models for the flock. And when the chief shepherd is manifested, you’ll⁼ be awarded the unfading crown^a of glory.

Likewise, you⁼ younger ones, be subject to the elders, and all be subject to one another, bind yourselves in humility because God resists the arrogant but gives grace to the humble. So be humbled then, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you⁼ in proper time, throwing all your⁼ anxieties onto him, because he cares about you⁼. Be sober. Be alert. Because the plaintiff against you⁼, Diabolos^b, walks about like a roaring lion, looking to see what he can swallow up. Resist him, solid in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being accomplished by your⁼ brotherhood throughout the world. But may the god of all grace, who called you⁼ into his everlasting glory in Anointed Yeshua, when you’ve⁼ suffered a little, restore you⁼, establish you⁼, make you⁼ firm, and give you⁼ a foundation. To him are the glory and the might, into the ages of the ages.

Through Silas, who’s your⁼ trustworthy brother, (as I account it), I’ve written briefly, entreating you⁼ and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you⁼ stand. She who’s in Babylon, selected together with you⁼, greets you⁼, as does my son Markos. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you⁼ all who are in Anointed Yeshua.

a) “crown” and “wreath” are the same word in Greek

b) Diabolos means “slanderer”

c) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”


	1 Peter
	1 Petros, an ambassador of Yeshua the Anointed. To the selected expatriates of the dispersion^a of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia, in accordance with the foreknowledge of God the father, in the sanctification of the spirit, into obedience to Yeshua the Anointed, and the sprinkling of his blood. Grace to you⁼, and may your⁼ peace be multiplied. Bless God the father of our lord Yeshua the Anointed, that according to his great mercy he’s caused us to be born again into a living expectation, (through the resurrection of Yeshua the Anointed from the dead), into an immortal inheritance, undefiled, unfading, which has been kept in the heavens for you⁼ — who through faith are being guarded by the power of God for salvation, (which is ready to be revealed in the last time), in which you’re⁼ rejoicing greatly, though for the present you⁼ might be saddened slightly in various trials for the discernment of your⁼ faith, (of much greater value than gold, which will eventually perish, even though it’s discerned by fire), which may be found to result in praise, and honour, and in glory at the revelation of Yeshua the Anointed, whom you⁼ love, even though you⁼ don’t know him, and in whom you⁼ trust, even though you⁼ don’t see him now, and you’re⁼ rejoicing with unspeakable and glorious joy, receiving the fulfilment of your⁼ faith — the salvation of your⁼ souls, for which salvation the prophets, (who prophesied about the grace to you⁼), sought out and searched for — searching for when, or at what kind of time, the sufferings, and then the glory of the Anointed would be, (about which the spirit of the Anointed among them revealed, when he testified beforehand), to whom it was revealed that they weren’t ministering to themselves but to us, in these things which have now been told to you⁼ through those who have brought the good news to you⁼, by the holy spirit who was sent from heaven, and into which messengers desire to peer. Therefore, gird^b up the loins of your⁼ understanding, be sober, and rely completely on the grace which is being brought to you⁼ by the revelation of Yeshua the Anointed. And like obedient children, don’t conform to the desires which you⁼ had before, (in your⁼ ignorance), but just as the one who calls you⁼ is holy, so you⁼ too — become^c holy in your⁼ whole way of life, because it’s been written, “Become^c holy because I’m holy.” And if you’re⁼ calling on the father as one who impartially judges the actions of each person, then live out the time of your⁼ sojourn^d in fear, knowing that it wasn’t with mortal things, (silver or gold), that you⁼ were ransomed back from the futile way of life which was handed down to you⁼, but by the precious blood of the Anointed, (as a flawless and spotless lamb), who had indeed been foreknown before the foundation of the world, and was manifested in the last times because of you⁼, those who trust in God, (through him), who raised him from the dead and gives him glory, so that your⁼ faith and expectation are in God. Since you’ve⁼ purified your⁼ souls by the obedience to the truth, (through a spirit resulting in genuine brotherly love), love one another earnestly from a clean heart. Since you’ve⁼ been born again, not from mortal seed, but from immortal seed, through the living message of God, which remains into the age. Because all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of people is like the flowers of the grass. The grass dries up and its flowers fall off, but the declarations of the lord^e [Yahweh] remain, into the age. And this declaration was the good news which was brought to you⁼. a) the dispersion was the name given to the Jews who were spread among the nations. It is also sometimes called the diaspora (after the Greek) b) “girded” means to have something wrapped around and tightened, usually it involved pulling your tunic between your legs and tucking it into your belt c) “become” here is passive, it is something done to you d) a sojourn is a period of temporarily living in a foreign country or region e) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment. 2 Put aside then, all kinds of evil, and all kinds of deceit, and hypocrisies, envies, and all slanders. Like new born babies, long for unadulterated logical milk, so that you⁼ might grow in it, if in fact you’ve⁼ tasted that the lord is kind, toward whom you’re⁼ approaching — the living stone, which has indeed been rejected by people but selected and precious to God. And you⁼ yourselves, like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up very acceptable spiritual sacrifices to God through Yeshua the Anointed. Because it’s included in the writing, “Look! I place in Zion a cornerstone, selected and precious, and the one who trusts in him won’t be put to shame at all.” To you⁼ then, (to those who trust), it’s precious. But to the disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner, and an obstacle, and a rock snare. They trip up on the message through being disobedient — which they’ve been placed to do. But you’re⁼ a selected family, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a procured people, (who should recount the virtues of the one who called you⁼ out of darkness into his marvellous light), who were once not a people, but who are now the people of God, who once hadn’t been shown mercy, but who have now been shown mercy. Beloved! I entreat you⁼ as sojourners^a and expatriates, to keep away from the fleshly desires which are at war against the soul. Having a proper way of life among the nations, so that even when they speak against you⁼ as wrong doers, by being spectators of your⁼ good^b works, they should glorify God on the day of visitation. Subject yourselves then to all human authority, because of the lord, whether to a king, (as one who’s superior), or to governors, (as one who’s sent through him to punish those who do wrong, and to praise those who do good). Because in the same way it’s the will of God that those who do good will muzzle the ignorance of foolish people. Be free, but not as those who use their freedom as a cover to do evil, but as slaves of God. Honour everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king. Household slaves — be subject to your⁼ owners in all fear, not only those who are good and fair, but also those who are crooked. For this is grace — if anyone bears sadness and unrighteously suffers because they’re conscious of God. For what credit is it if you⁼ endure buffeting for sinning? But if you⁼ do good things and endure suffering, this is grace with God. For you’ve⁼ been called to this, because the Anointed also suffered for our sake, leaving you⁼ an example so that you⁼ should follow closely in his footsteps. Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth, who, when he was criticised^c, didn’t criticise back, when he suffered, didn’t threaten, but handed himself over to the one who judges justly, and who himself carried our sins in his body on the pole, so that having died to sins, we should live by righteousness, and by whose welt you⁼ would be healed. For you⁼ were being led astray like sheep, but you’ve⁼ now turned back to the shepherd and watchman of your⁼ souls. a) a sojourn is a period of temporarily living in a foreign country or region b) good in terms of quality, not morality c) in Greek “criticism” has the sense of doing so in an angry or unconstructive way 3 Likewise, wives should be subject to their own husbands, so that if any of them are disobedient to the message, then because of the women’s way of life, without saying anything, they might be gained, being spectators in fear of your⁼ pure way of life. And don’t let it come from the outside, from the braiding of hair, or from wrapping with gold, or from wearing fine clothes, but let it come from the hidden person in the heart, from the immortal beauty of the meek and quiet spirit, which is considered very valuable in the sight of God. For in this way, the holy women of the past, who put their expectation in God, adorned themselves by being subject to their own husbands. Like Sara, who obeyed Abraham, and called him “lord”. Of whom you’ve⁼ become children, those who do good, and who aren’t afraid or terrified by anything. Likewise the husbands, live with them according to knowledge, (according honour to the feminine as the weaker vessel), and as joint heirs of the grace of life, so that nothing hinders your⁼ prayers. And finally, all of you⁼, be like minded, be sympathetic, loving like brothers, tender hearted, courteous. Not giving back evil for evil, or criticism^a for criticism, but on the contrary, blessing, because you⁼ know that this is what you⁼ were called to, so that you⁼ may inherit a blessing. For whoever wants to love life, and to see good days, let them keep their tongue from evil, and let their lips not speak deceit, let them turn away from evil, and let them do good, let them seek peace and pursue it. Because the eyes of the lord^b [Yahweh] are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their petition, but the face of the lord^b [Yahweh] is against those who do evil. And who’ll mistreat you⁼ if you⁼ become imitators of the good? But if you⁼ suffer because of righteousness, then you’re⁼ blessed. And don’t be afraid or troubled by fear of them, but regard the lord^b [Yahweh] God as holy in your⁼ hearts, and always be ready in defence to everyone who asks you⁼ for a message about the expectation that’s among you⁼ — with meekness and fear, having a clear conscience, so that when they speak badly of you⁼ as wrong doers, those who are maligning your⁼ good way of life in the Anointed might be put to shame. For it’s better, if the will of God wants it, to suffer for being a doer of good, than for being a doer of evil. And also because the Anointed suffered once for sins, (the righteous one on behalf of the unrighteous), so that he may lead you⁼ to God, since he has indeed been put to death in flesh, but has been made alive in spirit, in which he also went and proclaimed to the spirits in jail, who used to be disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being constructed, so that in it a few, (that is, eight), souls were saved through water, which is also a representation of the immersion that now saves us too, (not by the removal of dirt from the flesh, but by the question of a good conscience towards God), through the resurrection of Yeshua the Anointed, who’s at the right hand of God, since he’s gone into heaven, with the messengers, authorities, and powers who’ve been made subject to him. a) in Greek “criticism” has the sense of doing so in an angry or unconstructive way b) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment. 4 So then, since the Anointed suffered for our sakes in the flesh, you⁼ should also arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, because whoever suffers in the flesh has finished with sin, so that they no longer continue their remaining time spent living in the flesh for the desires of people, but for the will of God. For your⁼ life up until now is already more than enough time for you⁼ to spend producing the will of the nations, (having carried on with sexual immorality, desires, debaucheries, wild parties, drunkenness and lawless idolatries), into which they think it strange that you’re⁼ no longer running together with them into the wasteful, unrestrained speaking of evil, and who’ll give an account to the one who’s ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the good news was also preached to the dead, so that they may indeed be judged just as people in the flesh, but should live according to God in the spirit. But the fulfilment of all things is near, so be of a sound mind, and be sober in order for prayers. And most important of all, have earnest love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without murmuring. Just as each one has received an endowment^a, use it to serve one another, as good^b stewards of the diverse grace of God: if anyone speaks — as if the announcements of God; if anyone serves — as if with the strength which God furnishes; so that in all things God may be glorified through Yeshua the Anointed, to whom is the glory and the might throughout the ages of ages. Amen^c. Beloved, don’t think that the fire of trials which is coming upon you⁼ is unusual, as if something foreign is befalling you⁼. But in so much as you⁼ participate in the sufferings of the Anointed, rejoice so that you’ll⁼ rejoice exceedingly at the revelation of his glory. If you’re⁼ reproached in the name of the Anointed, then you’re⁼ blessed, because of the glory, and because the spirit of God has come to rest on you⁼, (as he’s indeed spoken evil about by them, but glorified by you⁼). For none of you⁼ should suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evil doer, or as a meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian^d, then don’t let them be ashamed, but let them glorify God in that. Because it’s the proper time for the beginning of the judgement from the household of God. And if the very first is from us, what will the final outcome of the good news of God be for the disobedient? And if the righteous one is only barely being saved, where will the ungodly and the sinful appear? So then, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their lives to do good, as to a faithful creator. a) the Greek word has the idea of an undeserved/unmerited gift or favour b) good in terms of quality, not morality c) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly” d) Christian is a transliteration of the made up Greek word “christianos” which means “followers of the Anointed” 5 To the elders among you⁼, I entreat you⁼ as a fellow elder, as a witness of the sufferings of the Anointed, and as a sharer of the glory which is about to be revealed. Shepherd the flock of God which is among you⁼, watching over them, not out of compulsion but voluntarily, nor greedy for gain, but eagerly; nor as if you⁼ have dominion over your⁼ allotment, but by becoming models for the flock. And when the chief shepherd is manifested, you’ll⁼ be awarded the unfading crown^a of glory. Likewise, you⁼ younger ones, be subject to the elders, and all be subject to one another, bind yourselves in humility because God resists the arrogant but gives grace to the humble. So be humbled then, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you⁼ in proper time, throwing all your⁼ anxieties onto him, because he cares about you⁼. Be sober. Be alert. Because the plaintiff against you⁼, Diabolos^b, walks about like a roaring lion, looking to see what he can swallow up. Resist him, solid in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being accomplished by your⁼ brotherhood throughout the world. But may the god of all grace, who called you⁼ into his everlasting glory in Anointed Yeshua, when you’ve⁼ suffered a little, restore you⁼, establish you⁼, make you⁼ firm, and give you⁼ a foundation. To him are the glory and the might, into the ages of the ages. Amen^c. Through Silas, who’s your⁼ trustworthy brother, (as I account it), I’ve written briefly, entreating you⁼ and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you⁼ stand. She who’s in Babylon, selected together with you⁼, greets you⁼, as does my son Markos. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you⁼ all who are in Anointed Yeshua. Amen^c. a) “crown” and “wreath” are the same word in Greek b) Diabolos means “slanderer” c) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”