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1. I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory.
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1. The elders G4245 which G3588 are among G1722 you G5213 I exhort G3870 , who am also an elder G4850 , and G2532 a witness G3144 of the G3588 sufferings G3804 of Christ G5547 , and G2532 also a partaker G2844 of the glory G1391 that shall G3195 be revealed G601 :
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2. Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously.
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2. Feed G4165 the G3588 flock G4168 of God G2316 which is among G1722 you G5213 , taking the oversight G1983 thereof, not G3361 by constraint G317 , but G235 willingly G1596 ; not G3366 for filthy lucre G147 , but G235 of a ready mind G4290 ;
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3. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.
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3. Neither G3366 as G5613 being lords over G2634 God's heritage G2819 , but G235 being G1096 examples G5179 to the G3588 flock G4168 .
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4. When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly.
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4. And G2532 when the G3588 chief Shepherd G750 shall appear G5319 , ye shall receive G2865 a crown G4735 of glory G1391 that fadeth not away G262 .
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5. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for-- God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people.
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5. Likewise G3668 , ye younger G3501 , submit yourselves G5293 unto the elder G4245 . Yea G1161 , all G3956 of you be subject G5293 one to another G240 , and G2532 be clothed with G1463 humility G5012 : for G3754 God G2316 resisteth G498 the proud G5244 , and G1161 giveth G1325 grace G5485 to the humble G5011 .
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6. So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time.
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6. Humble yourselves G5013 therefore G3767 under G5259 the G3588 mighty G2900 hand G5495 of God G2316 , that G2443 he may exalt G5312 you G5209 in G1722 due time G2540 :
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7. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.
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7. Casting G1977 all G3956 your G5216 care G3308 upon G1909 him G846 ; for G3754 he G846 careth G3199 for G4012 you G5216 .
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8. Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.
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8. Be sober G3525 , be vigilant G1127 ; because G3754 your G5216 adversary G476 the devil G1228 , as G5613 a roaring G5612 lion G3023 , walketh about G4043 , seeking G2212 whom G5101 he may devour G2666 :
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9. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith.
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9. Whom G3739 resist G436 steadfast G4731 in the G3588 faith G4102 , knowing G1492 that the G3588 same G846 afflictions G3804 are accomplished G2005 in your G5216 brethren G81 that are in G1722 the world G2889 .
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10. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ--eternal and glorious plans they are!--will have you put together and on your feet for good.
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10. But G1161 the G3588 God G2316 of all G3956 grace G5485 , who hath called G2564 us G2248 unto G1519 his G848 eternal G166 glory G1391 by G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 , after that ye have suffered G3958 a while G3641 , make you perfect G2675 G5209 , establish G4741 , strengthen G4599 , settle G2311 you.
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11. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
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11. To him G846 be glory G1391 and G2532 dominion G2904 forever and ever G1519 G165 G165 . Amen G281 .
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12. I'm sending this brief letter to you by Silas, a most dependable brother. I have the highest regard for him. I've written as urgently and accurately as I know how. This is God's generous truth; embrace it with both arms!
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12. By G1223 Silvanus G4610 , a faithful G4103 brother G80 unto you G5213 , as G5613 I suppose G3049 , I have written G1125 briefly G1223 G3641 , exhorting G3870 , and G2532 testifying G1957 that this G5026 is G1511 the true G227 grace G5485 of God G2316 wherein G1519 G3739 ye stand G2476 .
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13. The church in exile here with me--but not for a moment forgotten by God--wants to be remembered to you. Mark, who is like a son to me, says hello.
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13. The G3588 church that is at G1722 Babylon G897 , elected together with G4899 you, saluteth G782 you G5209 ; and G2532 so doth Mark G3138 my G3450 son G5207 .
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14. Give holy embraces all around! Peace to you--to all who walk in Christ's ways.
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14. Greet G782 ye one another G240 with G1722 a kiss G5370 of charity G26 . Peace G1515 be with you G5213 all G3956 that G3588 are in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 . Amen G281 .
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