1
Nawasihi wazee walio kwenu, mimi niliye mzee, mwenzi wao, na shahidi wa mateso ya Kristo, na mshirika wa utukufu utakaofunuliwa baadaye;
As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
2
lichungeni kundi la Mungu lililo kwenu, na kulisimamia, si kwa kulazimishwa, bali kwa hiari kama Mungu atakavyo; si kwa kutaka fedha ya aibu, bali kwa moyo.
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;
3
Wala si kama wajifanyao mabwana juu ya mitaa yao, bali kwa kujifanya vielelezo kwa lile kundi.
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
4
Na Mchungaji mkuu atakapodhihirishwa, mtaipokea taji ya utukufu, ile isiyokauka.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5
Vivyo hivyo ninyi vijana, watiini wazee. Naam, ninyi nyote jifungeni unyenyekevu, mpate kuhudumiana; kwa sababu Mungu huwapinga wenye kiburi, lakini huwapa wanyenyekevu neema.
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
6
Basi nyenyekeeni chini ya mkono wa Mungu ulio hodari, ili awakweze kwa wakati wake;
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
7
huku mkimtwika yeye fadhaa zenu zote, kwa maana yeye hujishughulisha sana kwa mambo yenu.
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8
Mwe na kiasi na kukesha; kwa kuwa mshitaki wenu Ibilisi, kama simba angurumaye, huzunguka-zunguka, akitafuta mtu ammeze.
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9
Nanyi mpingeni huyo, mkiwa thabiti katika imani, mkijua ya kuwa mateso yale yale yanatimizwa kwa ndugu zenu walioko duniani.
Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
10
Na Mungu wa neema yote, aliyewaita kuingia katika utukufu wake wa milele katika Kristo, mkiisha kuteswa kwa muda kidogo, yeye mwenyewe atawatengeneza, na kuwathibitisha, na kuwatia nguvu.
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.
11
Uweza una yeye hata milele na milele. Amina.
To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
12
Kwa mkono wa Silwano, ndugu mwaminifu kama nionavyo, nimewaandikia kwa maneno machache, kuonya na kushuhudia ya kuwa hii ndiyo neema ya kweli ya Mungu. Simameni imara katika hiyo.
Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
13
Mwenzenu mteule hapa Babeli awasalimu, na Marko mwanangu.
The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.
14
Salimianeni kwa busu la upendo. Amani na iwe kwenu nyote, mlio katika Kristo. Amina.
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.