< Revelation 2 >
1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:
“To the messenger of the church in Ephesus write: “These things says He who holds the seven stars on His right hand, who walks about in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy endurance, and that thou canst not bear evil men; and thou didst try those who say they are apostles, and are not, and didst find them liars;
‘I know your works, yes the labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot stand those who are evil. And you have tested those who claim to be apostles and are not, and found them to be liars;
3 and thou hast endurance, and hast borne on account of my name, and hast not become weary.
and you have born up and endured on account of my name, and not grown weary.
4 But I have this against thee, that thou hast left thy first love.
“‘Nevertheless I have against you that you have left your first love.
5 Remember therefore whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come to thee, and will remove thy candlestick out of its place, unless thou repent.
So think about from where you have drifted and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come at you swiftly and remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you do repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
But you do have this, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.’
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God.
“He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will grant to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of my God.
8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived again:
“And to the messenger of the church in Smyrna write: “These things says the First and the Last, who became dead and came to life:
9 I know thy affliction and poverty, (but thou art rich, ) and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
‘I know your works and affliction and poverty (but you are rich), and the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer. Behold, now, the Devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye will have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
Do not fear any of the things that you are about to suffer: Take note, the devil is really about to throw some of you into prison, so that you may be tested, and you will have an affliction of ten days. Stay faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.’
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the second death.
“He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. The one who overcomes will absolutely not be harmed by the second death.
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamus write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:
“And to the messenger of the church in Pergamos write: “These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
13 I know where thou dwellest, where the throne of Satan is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days in which Antipas was my witness, my faithful one, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
‘I know your works, and where you live, where Satan's throne is. And you hold my name fast and did not deny my faith during the days in which Antipas was my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan lives.
14 But I have a few things against thee; thou hast there them that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling-block in the way of the sons of Israel, and to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
“‘Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you have there adepts of the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things offered to idols and to fornicate.
15 So thou also hast men holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans, in like manner.
Thus you also have adepts of the doctrine of the Nicolaitans as well.
16 Repent therefore; or else I will come to thee quickly, and will make war with them with the sword of my mouth.
Repent! Or else I will come at you swiftly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.’
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, I will give of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it.
“He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will grant to eat from the hidden manna. And I will give him a white pebble, and on the pebble a new name written, which no one knows except the receiver.
18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass:
“And to the messenger of the church in Thyatira write: “These things says the Son of God, He who has the eyes like a flame of fire and the feet like fine brass:
19 I know thy works, and love, and faith, and service, and thy endurance, and that thy last works are more than the first.
‘I know your works—the love, the faith, the service—and your endurance; in fact your last works are greater than the first.
20 But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest thy wife Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
“‘Nevertheless I have against you that you tolerate your wife Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my slaves to fornicate and to eat things offered to idols.
21 And I gave her time to repent, and she will not repent of her fornication.
I even gave her time so that she might repent, but she does not want to repent of her fornication.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those who together with her commit adultery into great distress, unless they repent of her deeds.
So, I am throwing her into a sickbed and those adulterating with her into great affliction, unless they repent of her works.
23 And her children I will slay with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give to every one of you according to your works.
And I will execute her children; and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 But to you I say, the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, such as have not known “the depths” of Satan, as they speak; I put upon you no other burden;
“‘Now to the rest of you who are in Thyatira I say—to as many as do not hold this teaching, those who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say—I will not put any other burden on you;
25 but that which ye have, hold fast till I come.
just hold fast what you have until I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, —
And as for the one who overcomes and keeps my works until the end, I will give him authority over the nations;
27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter are broken to shivers, —as I also have received of my Father.
and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron; they will be smashed like clay pots
28 And I will give him the morning star.
—just as I have received from my Father. And I will give him the morning star.’
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
“He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.