Revelation 3

1 “Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Sardis [city]: ‘I am saying these things [to you. I am] the one who can give [to people] all the power of God’s Spirit (OR, in whom is the Spirit of God who has all kinds of power; OR, [who has God’s Spirit, who is symbolized as] seven spirits), and [I am the one] who has the seven stars. I know everything that you have done. You [(pl)] appear to be alive [spiritually], but [you are so weak spiritually it is as though] you are dead [MET].

Dem Engel der Gemeinde in Sardes schreibe: "Also spricht, der die sieben Geister Gottes und die sieben Sterne hat: Ich kenne deine Werke; du hast den Namen, daß du lebest, doch du bist tot.

2 [Become aware of your spiritual need as though you were] awaking [from sleep] [MET], and strengthen [yourself spiritually, because you are so useless that you are like someone who is] about to die [MET]. [You must do this] because I know that my God considers that nothing that you do is satisfactory.

Wach auf und stärke den Rest, der schon im Sterben liegt. Denn ich habe deine Werke vor meinem Gott nicht voll erfunden.

3 So then, keep remembering [God’s message, what] you accepted when you heard it. Obey it continually, and turn away from your sinful behavior. If [you do not become aware of your spiritual need and turn away from your] [MET] [sinful behavior], I will come to you [when you are not expecting me], as a thief [comes] [SIM]. You will never know at what time I will come to [judge] you.

Erinnere dich, wie du es empfangen und gehört hast. Halte daran fest und ändere deinen Sinn! Doch solltest du nicht aufwachen, so werde ich kommen wie ein Dieb; du sollst nicht wissen, zu welcher Stunde ich über dich kommen werde.

4 Nevertheless, [there] in Sardis you have a few members who [have not been doing what is wrong. It is as though they] have not soiled their garments [MET]. As a result, because they are worthy [to live with me], they will live with me [and will be pure in every way] [MET], [like people who are dressed] in [pure] white [clothing].

Indes hast du einige in Sardes, die ihre Kleider nicht besudelt haben; sie sollen in weißen Kleidern mit mir wandeln, denn sie sind es wert.

5 Everyone who conquers [Satan] I will dress in these same white garments [MET] (OR, will be [pure in every way as though they are] dressed in these white garments), and I will never erase their names from the book [that contains the names of the people who have eternal] life. Instead, as my Father and his angels are listening, I will acknowledge that they [MTY] [belong to me].

Der Sieger wird auf diese Weise mit weißen Kleidern angetan; ich werde seinen Namen niemals aus dem Buche des Lebens löschen; ich werde seinen Namen vielmehr vor meinem Vater und vor seinen Engeln bekennen."

6 Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”

Wer ein Ohr hat, höre, was der Geist zu den Gemeinden spricht.

7 “Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Philadelphia [city]: ‘I am saying these things [to you. I am] God’s Holy One, the True One. [Just like King] David had authority [MTY] [to allow people to enter the ancient city of Jerusalem, so I have the authority to allow people to enter] my kingdom. [I am] the one who opens [doors] so that no one can close them, and who closes doors so that no one can open them.

Dem Engel der Gemeinde in Philadelphia schreibe: "So spricht der Heilige, der Wahrhaftige, der den Schlüssel Davids hat, der öffnet, und niemand schließt, der schließt, und niemand öffnet.

8 I know everything you have done. Be aware that I have opened a door before you, a door that no one can close. [I know that although] there are not [many believers] (OR, much [spiritual] strength) [MTY] [in your congregation], you have obeyed what I say, and you have not denied [that you believe in] me [MTY].

Ich kenne deine Werke; ich habe vor dir eine Tür geöffnet, die niemand schließen kann. Denn du hast nur eine geringe Kraft und hast doch mein Wort bewahrt und meinen Namen nicht verleugnet.

9 [I am aware that] some of your people meet together with those who [follow/worship] Satan. They claim to be Jews, but I know that they are not true Jews. They are lying. I will cause them to come to you and to bow down [humbly] at your feet and to acknowledge that I love you.

Siehe, ich schenke dir solche aus der Synagoge Satans, die sich Juden heißen, ohne es zu sein; sie lügen. Siehe, ich will sie dazu bringen, daß sie kommen und dir zu deinen Füßen huldigen und dann erkennen, daß ich dich liebe.

10 Because you have paid attention to the message to endure patiently [when you suffered], I will keep you [safe from those who will try to harm you spiritually] during the period/time that is about to come. At that time [God will cause rebellious people] on the earth to suffer, in order that I can determine [whether they will turn away from their sins or not].

Du hast das Wort vom Harren auf mich bewahrt; darum will auch ich dich bewahren vor der Prüfungsstunde, die über die ganze Welt kommen wird, die Erdbewohner zu prüfen.

11 I am coming soon. [So] continue believe firmly the [message] that you have received, in order that no one may cause you to lose the reward [that God has reserved for] you.

Ich komme bald. Halte fest, was du hast, damit niemand deinen Kranz dir nehme.

12 I will make everyone who conquers [Satan secure]. They will stand in the temple of my God, [they will stand firm like] [MET] pillars, and they will remain there forever. I will mark them with the name of my God, [showing that they belong to him. I will also mark them] with the name of the city of my God, [showing that they will live there. That city is] the New Jerusalem, the city that my God will cause to descend down from heaven. [I will also mark them] with my new name, [showing that they belong to me].

Den Sieger werde ich zu einer Säule im Tempel meines Gottes machen. Er soll nicht mehr entfernt werden, und ich will den Namen meines Gottes darauf schreiben sowie den Namen meiner Gottesstadt, des neuen Jerusalem, das aus den Himmeln von meinem Gott herniedersteigt, und meinen neuen Namen."

13 Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”

Wer ein Ohr hat, höre, was der Geist zu den Gemeinden spricht.

14 “Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Laodicea [city: ‘I] am saying these things [to you. I am] the one who (guarantees [everything that God’s promises/] that [he] will do [all that he has promised]) [MET]. I am the one who testifies [about God] reliably and accurately. I am the one who God used to create [everything].

Dem Engel der Gemeinde in Laodizea schreibe: "So spricht der 'Amen', der treue und wahrhaftige Zeuge, der Anfang der Schöpfung Gottes:

15 I know everything that you have done: You [neither deny that you trust in me nor love/obey me zealously/wholeheartedly. You are like water that is] neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot!

Ich kenne deine Werke und weiß, du bist nicht kalt noch warm. O wärest du doch kalt oder warm!

16 Because you are neither enthusiastic about me nor concerned about your lack of spiritual growth [MET], I am about to [reject] you [MET], [as if] I were spitting [lukewarm water] out of my mouth.

Weil du aber lau bist und weder kalt noch warm, so will ich dich aus meinem Munde speien.

17 You are saying, “[Because we have all that we need spiritually], we are [like] rich [people who] have acquired a lot of wealth. We lack nothing!” But you do not realize that you are [lacking in so many ways spiritually that you are like] [MET] people who are very wretched and pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Du magst wohl sagen: Ich bin reich und habe Überfluß; ich brauche nichts. Und du weißt gar nicht, daß du elend bist, erbarmungswürdig, arm und blind und bloß.

18 I advise you [to obtain from me all that you need spiritually, as though you were] buying from me gold that has been refined by fire {that fire has refined}, in order that you may be [truly] rich [MET] [spiritually. Let me make you righteous, as though you were] [MET] buying from me white garments in order that you might wear clothes instead of being naked and ashamed. [Let me help you to perceive spiritual things, as though] [MET] you were buying from me eye salve to put in your eyes in order that you might see.

Ich rate dir, kaufe von mir Gold, in Feuersglut geglüht, damit du reich werdest, und weiße Kleider, auf daß du dich bekleidest und die Schande, das heißt deine Blöße, nicht mehr sichtbar sei, und Salbe, so daß du deine Augen damit salbest, damit du sehend werdest.

19 [Since] I rebuke and correct all those whom I affectionately love, earnestly stop your sinful behavior.

Ich strafe und züchtige alle, die ich liebe. So sei denn eifrig und ändere deinen Sinn.

20 Be aware that [I invite each one of you to respond to me] as though [MET] I [was] standing [waiting] at [your] door and knocking. I will come to all those who hear my voice and respond to me, and I [will fellowship] with them [as friends do when they] eat together [MET].

Siehe, ich stehe vor der Tür und klopfe an. Wenn jemand meine Stimme hört und mir die Tür öffnet, zu dem gehe ich hinein und halte mit ihm Mahl und er mit mir.

21 I will permit everyone who conquers [Satan] to sit [and rule] with me on my throne, just like I conquered [Satan] and now sit [and rule] beside my Father on his throne.

Dem Sieger werde ich verleihen, mit mir auf meinem Thron zu sitzen, wie auch ich nach meinem Siege mich zu meinem Vater auf seinen Thron gesetzt habe."

22 Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”

Wer ein Ohr hat, höre, was der Geist zu den Gemeinden spricht.