| Chapter 2 |
1 |
To the angel of the church in Ephesus say: These things says he who has
the seven stars in his right hand, who is walking in the middle of the seven
gold lights: |
2 |
I have knowledge of your doings, and of your hard work and long waiting,
and that you will not put up with evil men, and have put to the test those who
say they are Apostles and are not, and have seen that they are false; |
3 |
And you have the power of waiting, and have undergone trouble because of
my name, without weariness. |
4 |
But I have this against you, that you are turned away from your first
love. |
5 |
So keep in mind where you were at first, and be changed in heart and do
the first works; or I will come to you, and will take away your light from its
place, if your hearts are not changed. |
6 |
But at least you have the credit of hating the works of the Nicolaitans,
as I do. |
7 |
He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the
churches. To him who overcomes I will give of the fruit of the tree of life,
which is in the Paradise of God. |
8 |
And to the angel of the church in Smyrna say: These things says the first
and the last, who was dead and is living: |
9 |
I have knowledge of your troubles and how poor you are (but you have true
wealth), and the evil words of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are
a Synagogue of Satan. |
10 |
Have no fear of the things which you will have to undergo: see, the Evil
One will send some of you into prison, so that you may be put to the test; and
you will have great trouble for ten days. Be true till death, and I will give
you the crown of life. |
11 |
He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the
churches. He who overcomes will not come under the power of the second death. |
12 |
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos say: These things says he who
has the sharp two-edged sword: |
13 |
I have knowledge that your living-place is where Satan has his seat: and
you are true to my name, and were not turned away from your faith in me, even in
the days of Antipas, my true witness, who was put to death among you, where
Satan has his place. |
14 |
But I have some things against you, because you have with you those who
keep the teaching of Balaam, by whose suggestion Balak made the children of
Israel go out of the right way, taking food which was offered to false gods, and
going after the desires of the flesh. |
15 |
And you have those who keep the teaching of the Nicolaitans. |
16 |
See, then, that you have a change of heart; or I will come to you
quickly, and will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. |
17 |
He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the
churches. To him who overcomes I will give of the secret manna, and I will give
him a white stone, and on the stone a new name, of which no one has knowledge
but he to whom it is given. |
18 |
And to the angel of the church in Thyatira say: These things says the Son
of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and his feet like polished brass: |
19 |
I have knowledge of your works, and your love and faith and help and
strength in trouble, and that your last works are more than the first. |
20 |
But I have this against you, that you let the woman Jezebel say she is a
prophet and give false teaching, making my servants go after the desires of the
flesh and take food offered to false gods. |
21 |
And I gave her time for a change of heart, but she has no mind to give up
her unclean ways. |
22 |
See, I will put her into a bed, and those who make themselves unclean
with her, into great trouble, if they go on with her works. |
23 |
And I will put her children to death; and all the churches will see that
I am he who makes search into the secret thoughts and hearts of men: and I will
give to every one of you the reward of your works. |
24 |
But to you I say, to the rest in Thyatira, even to those who have not
this teaching, and have no knowledge of the secrets of Satan, as they say; I put
on you no other weight. |
25 |
But what you have, keep safe till I come. |
26 |
He who overcomes, and keeps my works to the end, to him I will give rule
over the nations, |
27 |
And he will be ruling them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of the
potter they will be broken, even as I have power from my Father: |
28 |
And I will give him the morning star. |
29 |
He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the
churches. |