Amplified Bible (AMP)

Growth in Christian Virtue

1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ,

To those who havereceivedandpossess [by God’s will] a precious faith of thesame kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

2 Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3 For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, throughtrueandpersonal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

4 For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature.

5 For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to,develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding),

6 and inyourknowledge, self-control, and inyourself-control, steadfastness, and inyoursteadfastness, godliness,

7 and inyourgodliness, brotherly affection, and inyourbrotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit].

8 For as thesequalitiesare yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledgeandgreater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For whoever lacks thesequalitiesis blind–shortsighted [closing his spiritual eyes to the truth], having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for bydoing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin];

11 for in this way entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly provided to you.

12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though youalreadyknow them and are established in the truth which isheld firmly in your grasp.

13 I think it right, as long as I am in thisearthlytent, to inspire you by reminding you,

14 knowing that the laying aside of thisearthlytent of mine is imminent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

15 Moreover, I will diligently endeavor [to see to it] that even after my departure you will be able, at all times, to call these things to mind.

Eyewitnesses

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised storiesormyths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we wereeyewitnesses of His majesty [His grandeur, His authority, His sovereignty].

17 For when He was invested with honor and [the radiance of theShekinah] glory from God the Father, such a voice as this came to Him from the [splendid] Majestic Glory [in the bright cloud that overshadowed Him, saying],“This is My Son, My Beloved Son in whom I am well-pleasedanddelighted”–

18 and we [actually] heard this voice made from heaven when we were together with Him on the holy mountain.

19 So we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawnsandlight breaks through the gloom and themorning star arises in your hearts.

20 But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture isa matteroforcomes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation,

21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The Rise of False Prophets

1 But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.

2 Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned.

3 And intheirgreed they will exploit you with false argumentsandtwisted doctrine. Their sentence [of condemnation which God has decreed] from a time long ago is not idle [but is still in force], and their destructionanddeepening misery is not asleep [but is on its way].

4 For if God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but threw them intohell and sent them to pits of gloom to be kept [there] for judgment;

5 and if He did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought [the judgment of] a flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodlylivesthereafter;

7 and if He rescued righteousLot, who was tormented by the immoral conduct of unprincipledandungodly men

8 (for that just man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by what he saw and heard of their lawless acts),

9 then [in light of the fact that all this is true, be sure that] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and how to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

10 and especiallythose who indulge in the corrupt passions of the sin nature, and despise authority.

Presumptuousandreckless, self-willedandarrogant [creatures, despising the majesty of the Lord], they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,

11 whereasevenangels who are superior in might and power do not bring a reviling (defaming) accusation against them before the Lord.

12 But these [false teachers], like unreasoning animals, [mere] creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed, reviling things they do not understand, will also perish in their own corruption [in their destroying they will be destroyed],

13 suffering wrong [destined for punishment] as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a delight to revel in the daytime [living luxuriously]. They are stains and blemishes [on mankind], reveling in theirdeceptions even as they feast with you.

14 They have eyes full of adultery, constantly looking for sin, enticingandluring away unstable souls. Having hearts trained in greed, [they are] children of a curse.

15 Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;

16 but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

17 These [false teachers] are springs without water and mists driven by a tempest, for whom is reserved the gloom of black darkness.

18 For uttering arrogantwordsof vanity [pompous words disguised to sound scholarly or profound, but meaning nothing and containing no spiritual truth], they beguileandlureusinglustful desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error.

19 They promise them liberty, when they themselves are the slaves of depravity–for by whatever anyone is defeatedandovercome, to that [person, thing, philosophy, or concept] he iscontinuallyenslaved.

20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world by [personal] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, their last condition has become worse for them than the first.

21 For it would have been better for them not to have [personally] known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to have turned back from the holy commandment [verbally] handed on to them.

22 The thing spoken of in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A sow is washed only to wallow [again] in the mire.”

Purpose of This Letter

1 Beloved, I am now writing you this second letter. In this [as in the first one], I am stirring up your untainted mind to remind you,

2 that you should remember the words spoken in the past [about the future] by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Saviorgivenby your apostles [His personally chosen representatives].

The Coming Day of the Lord

3 First of all, know [without any doubt] that mockers will come in the last days with their mocking, following after their own human desires

4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming [what has become of it]? For ever since the fathers fell asleep [in death], all things have continued [exactly] as they did from the beginning of creation.”

5 For they willingly forget [the fact] that the heavens existed long ago by the word of God, and the earth was formedout of water and by water,

6 through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water.

7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.

8 Nevertheless, do not let this onefactescape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day.

9 The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act]andis not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

A New Heaven and Earth

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish with a [mighty and thunderous] roar, and the [material] elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are on it will beburned up.

11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be [in the meantime] in holy behavior [that is, in a pattern of daily life that sets you apart as a believer] and in godliness [displaying profound reverence toward our awesome God],

12 [while you earnestly] look for and await the coming of the day of God. For on this day the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the [material] elements will melt with intense heat!

13 But in accordance with His promise we expectantly await new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

14 So, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligentandmake every effort to be found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him].

15 And consider the patience of our Lord [His delay in judging and avenging wrongs] as salvation [that is, allowing time for more to be saved]; just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him [by God],

16 speaking about these things as he does in all of his letters. In which there are some things that are difficult to understand, which the untaught and unstable [who have fallen into error] twistandmisinterpret, just asthey dothe rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

17 Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error ofunprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith],

18 but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

A Living Hope, and a Sure Salvation

1 Peter, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ,

To those [elect–both Jewish and Gentile believers] who live as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia [Minor], and Bithynia, who are chosen

2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be yours in increasing abundance [as you walk closely with God].

3 Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundantandboundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above–spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hopeandconfident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 [born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

5 who are being protectedandshielded by the power of God throughyourfaith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.

6 In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

7 so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though testedandpurified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believeandtrust in Him and you greatly rejoiceanddelight with inexpressible and glorious joy,

9 receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation ofyour souls.

10 Regarding this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace [of God] thatwas intended foryou, searched carefully and inquired [about this future way of salvation],

11 seeking to find out what person or what time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories [destined] to follow.

12 It was revealed to them that their services [their prophecies regarding grace] were not [meant] for themselvesandtheir time, but for you, in these things [the death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus Christ] which have now been told to you by those who preached the gospel to you by the [power of the] Holy Spirit [who was] sent from heaven. Into these things even the angels long to look.

13 So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit–steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

14 [Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desireswhich governed youin your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation].

15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in allyourconduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage];

16 because it is written, “You shall be holy(set apart),forIam holy.”

17 If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him]andwith profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stayon earth.

18 For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless [spiritually unproductive] way of life inherited [by tradition] from your forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold,

19 but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless,the priceless bloodof Christ.

20 For He wasforeordained (foreknown) before the foundation of the world, but has appeared [publicly] in these last times for your sake

21 and through Him you believe [confidently] in God [the heavenly Father], who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are [centered and rest] in God.

22 Since by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a sincere love of the believers, [see that you] love one another from the heart [always unselfishly seeking the best for one another],

23 for you have been born again [that is, reborn from above–spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] not of seed which is perishable but [from that which is] imperishableandimmortal,that is,through the living and everlasting word of God.

24 For,

“All flesh is like grass,

And all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers

And the flower falls off,

25 But the word of theLord endures forever.”

And this is the word [the good news of salvation] which was preached to you.

As Newborn Babes

1 So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slanderandhateful speech;

2 like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurturedandgrow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment],

3 if in fact you have [already] tastedthe goodnessandgracious kindness of the Lord.

As Living Stones

4 Come to Him [the risen Lord] as to a living Stone which men rejectedandthrew away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God.

5 You [believers], like living stones, arebeing built up into a spiritual house for a holyanddedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptableandpleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

6 For this is contained in Scripture:

“Behold, Iam laying inZion a chosen stone,aprecious(honored) Cornerstone,

And he who believes inHim[whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him]will never be disappointed[in his expectations].”

7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe [in Him as God’s only Son–the Source of salvation]; but for those who disbelieve,

“The[very]stone which the buildersrejected

Has become the chiefCornerstone,”

8 and,

“Astone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;

for they stumble because they disobey the word [of God], and to this they [who reject Him as Savior] were also appointed.

9 But you area chosen race,aroyalpriesthood,aconsecrated nation,a[special]people forGod’sown possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

10 Once you werenot a people[at all], but now you are God’s people; once you hadnot received mercy, but now you havereceived mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul.

12 Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so thatfor whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify Godin the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].

Honor Authority

13 Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power,

14 or to governors as sent by him to bring punishment to those who do wrong, and to praiseandencourage those who do right.

15 For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable] ignoranceandirresponsible criticisms of foolish people.

16 Liveas free people, but do not use your freedom as a coverorpretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God.

17 Show respect for all people [treat them honorably], love the brotherhood [of believers], fear God, honor the king.

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are good and kind, but also to those who are unreasonable.

19 For thisfindsfavor, if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of anawareness of [the will of] God.

20 After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, thisfindsfavor with God.

Christ Is Our Example

21 For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.

22 Hecommitted no sin,nor was deceit ever found inHis mouth.

23 While being reviledandinsulted, He did not revileorinsult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrustingHimselfto Him who judges fairly.

24 He personally carried our sins in His body on thecross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have beenhealed.

25 For you were continually wandering like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Godly Living

1 In the same way, you wives, besubmissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by thegodlylives of their wives,

2 when they see your modest and respectful behavior [together with your devotion and appreciation–love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God].

3 Your adornment must not bemerelyexternal–with interweavingandelaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or [being superficially preoccupied with] dressing inexpensiveclothes;

4 but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable qualityandunfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.

5 For in this way in former times the holy women, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbandsandadapting themselves to them;

6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham [following him and having regard for him as head of their house], calling himlord. And you have become her daughters if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear [that is, being respectful toward your husband but not giving in to intimidation, nor allowing yourself to be led into sin, nor to be harmed].

7 In the same way, you husbands, live withyour wivesin an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as withsomeone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honorandrespect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hinderedorineffective.

8 Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit;

9 and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].

10 For,

“The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days[good–whether apparent or not],

Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile(treachery, deceit).

11 “He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right.

He must search for peace[with God, with self, with others]and pursue it eagerly[actively–not merely desiring it].

12 “For the eyes of theLord are[looking favorably]upon the righteous(the upright),

AndHis ears are attentive to their prayer(eager to answer),

But the face of theLord is against those who practice evil.”

13 Now who is there to hurt you if you become enthusiastic for what is good?

14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness [though it is not certain that you will], you are still blessed [happy, to be admired and favored by God]. Do not be afraid of their intimidating threats,nor be troubledordisturbed[by their opposition].

15 But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy–acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hopeandconfident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect.

16 And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slanderedorfalsely accused, those who attackordisparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].

17 For it is better that you suffer [unjustly] for doing what is right, if that should be God’s will, than [to suffer justly] for doing wrong.

18 For indeed Christ died for sins once for all, the JustandRighteous for the unjustandunrighteous [the Innocent for the guilty] so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;

19 in which He also went and preached to the spiritsnowin prison,

20 who once were disobedient, when thegreatpatience of God was waiting in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons [Noah’s family], were brought safely through the water.

21 Corresponding to that [rescue through the flood], baptism [which is an expression of a believer’s new life in Christ] nowsaves you, not by removing dirt from the body, but by an appeal to God for a good (clear) conscience, [demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God [that is, the place of honor and authority], with [all] angels and authorities and powers made subservient to Him.

Keep Fervent in Your Love

1 Therefore, sinceChrist suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world],

2 so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetitesanddesires, but [lives] for the willandpurpose of God.

3 For the time already past is [more than] enough for doing what the [unsaved] Gentiles like to do–living [unrestrained as you have done] in a course of [shameless] sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.

4 In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentfulandsurprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] withtheminto the same excesses of dissipationandimmoral freedom, and they criticizeandabuseandridicule youandmake fun of your values.

5 But they will [have to] give an account to Him who is ready to judgeandpass sentence on the living and the dead.

6 For this is why the good news [of salvation] was preached [in their lifetimes] even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to [the will and purpose of] God.

7 The endandculmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.]

8 Above all, haveferventandunfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].

9 Behospitable to one another without complaint.

10 Just as each one of you has received aspecialgift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].

11 Whoever speaks [to the congregation],is to do soas one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation]is to do soas one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Share the Sufferings of Christ

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strangeorunusual were happening to you.

13 But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy.

14 If you are insultedandreviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you–He whom they curse, you glorify].

15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal [in response to persecution], or as a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others;

16 but ifanyone suffers[ill-treatment] as aChristian [because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God [because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name.

17 For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and ifit beginswith us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respectorbelieveorobey the gospel of God?

18 And if it is difficult for the righteous to be saved,what will become of thegodless and the sinner?

19 Therefore, those who are ill-treatedandsuffer in accordance with the will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator.

Serve God Willingly

1 Therefore, I strongly urge the elders among you [pastors, spiritual leaders of the church], as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory that is to be revealed:

2 shepherdandguideandprotect the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according tothe will ofGod; and not [motivated] for shameful gain, but with wholehearted enthusiasm;

3 not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a pattern of integrity for your congregation].

4 And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory.

5 Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud[the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them],butHe gives grace to the humble.

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time,

7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alertandcautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.

9 But resist him, be firm inyourfaith [against his attack–rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]

10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to Hisowneternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be].

11 To Him be dominion (power, authority, sovereignty) forever and ever. Amen.

12 BySilvanus, our faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly, to counsel and testify that this is the true grace [the undeserved favor] of God. Stand firm in it!

13 She [the church] who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, andso doesmy son [in the faith], Mark.

14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

To all of you who are in Christ, may there be peace.