Chapter 2

1Write to the angel of the community of Jesus’ followers in Ephesus: “This is what the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven gold lampstands says:

2“I know what you have done, how hard you have worked, and how patiently you have endured. I know that you cannot tolerate evil people. You tested those who call themselves apostles—messengers sent with authority—but are not, and you discovered that they were lying.

3“You have remained patient and endured suffering because of my name, and you have not grown weary.

4“But I have this against you: you have abandoned the love you had at first.

5“So remember how far you have fallen. Change your heart and your ways, and do what you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your ways.

6“Still, you have this in your favor: you hate the practices of the group called the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7“Anyone who has ears should listen carefully to what God’s Spirit says to the communities. To everyone who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life in God’s paradise.”

8Write to the angel of the community of Jesus’ followers in Smyrna: “This is what the First and the Last says—the one who died and came back to life:

9“I know your suffering and poverty, though you are truly rich. I also know the slander coming from those who claim to be Jews but are not. They are a synagogue belonging to Satan.

10“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil is about to throw some of you into prison to put you to the test, and you will suffer for ten days. Remain faithful even if it costs your life, and I will give you the victor’s crown—the gift of life.

11“Anyone who has ears should listen carefully to what God’s Spirit says to the communities. Whoever is victorious will certainly not be harmed by the second death.”

12Write to the angel of the community of Jesus’ followers in Pergamum: “This is what the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword says:

13“I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is. Yet you remain loyal to my name and did not deny your faith in me, even in the days when Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed among you, where Satan lives.

14“But I have a few things against you. Some among you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to set a trap for the people of Israel, leading them to eat food sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.

15“In the same way, some among you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

16“So change your heart and your ways. Otherwise, I will come to you soon and fight against those people with the sword of my mouth.

17“Anyone who has ears should listen carefully to what God’s Spirit says to the communities. To everyone who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna, the food God provides. I will also give each one a white stone with a new name written on it, a name known only to the person who receives it.”

18Write to the angel of the community of Jesus’ followers in Thyatira: “This is what God’s Son says—the one whose eyes are like flames of fire and whose feet are like polished bronze:

19“I know what you have done—your love, faithfulness, service, and patient endurance. In fact, you are doing more now than you did at first.

20“But I have this against you: you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. Through her teaching, she misleads my servants into committing sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols.

21“I gave her time to change her ways, but she refuses to turn away from her sexual immorality.

22“Look, I am throwing her onto a sickbed. I will bring terrible suffering upon those who commit adultery with her, unless they turn away from her practices.

23“I will strike her children dead. Then all the communities will know that I am the one who examines people’s deepest thoughts and desires. I will repay each of you according to what you have done.

24“But to the rest of you in Thyatira—to everyone who does not accept this teaching and has not learned what they call ‘Satan’s deep secrets’—I say this: I will place no other burden on you.

25“Just hold firmly to what you already have until I come.

26“To everyone who is victorious and continues doing what I require until the end, I will give authority over the nations.

27“That person will rule them with an iron rod, and they will be shattered like clay pots,

28“just as I received this authority from my Father. I will also give that person the morning star.

29“Anyone who has ears should listen carefully to what God’s Spirit says to the communities.”