The Revelation of Jesus Christ

11 The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him so that his servants might have knowledge of the things which will quickly take place: and he sent and made it clear by his angel to his servant John; 2 Who gave witness of the word of God, and of the witness of Jesus Christ, even of all the things which he saw.

3 A blessing be on the reader, and on those who give ear to the prophet's words, and keep the things which he has put in the book: for the time is near.

Greetings to the Seven Churches

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and was and is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his high seat; 5 And from Jesus Christ, the true witness, the first to come back from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who had love for us and has made us clean from our sins by his blood; 6 And has made us to be a kingdom and priests to his God and Father; to him let glory and power be given for ever and ever. So be it. 7 See, he comes with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those by whom he was wounded; and all the tribes of the earth will be sorrowing because of him. Yes, so be it. 8 I am the First and the Last, says the Lord God who is and was and is to come, the Ruler of all.

A Vision of the Son of Man

9 I, John, your brother, who have a part with you in the trouble and the kingdom and the quiet strength of Jesus, was in the island which is named Patmos, for the word of God and the witness of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and a great voice at my back, as of a horn, came to my ears, 11 Saying, What you see, put in a book, and send it to the seven churches; to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamos and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea. 12 And turning to see the voice which said these words to me, I saw seven gold vessels with lights burning in them; 13 And in the middle of them one like a son of man, clothed with a robe down to his feet, and with a band of gold round his breasts. 14 And his head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like polished brass, as if it had been burned in a fire; and his voice was as the sound of great waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword: and his face was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw him, I went down on my face at his feet as one dead. And he put his right hand on me, saying, Have no fear; I am the first and the last and the Living one; 18 And I was dead, and see, I am living for ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hell. 19 Put in writing, then, the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will be after these; 20 The secret of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven gold vessels with burning lights. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven lights are the seven churches.

The Message to Sardis

31 And to the angel of the church in Sardis say: These things says he who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I have knowledge of your works, that you seem to be living but are dead. 2 Be on the watch, and make strong the rest of the things which are near to death; because as judged by me your works have not come up to God's measure. 3 Keep in mind, then, the teaching which was given to you, and be ruled by it and have a change of heart. If then you do not keep watch, I will come like a thief, and you will have no knowledge of the hour when I will come on you. 4 But you have some names in Sardis who have kept clean their robes; and as a reward they will go in white with me. 5 He who overcomes will be dressed in white, and I will not take his name from the book of life, and I will give witness to his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches.

The Message to Philadelphia

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia say: These things says he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, opening the door so that it may be shut by no one, and shutting it so that it may be open to no one. 8 I have knowledge of your works (see, I have put before you an open door which may be shut by no one), and that you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have been true to my name. 9 See, I will make those of the Synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews, and are not, but say what is false; I will make them come and give worship before your feet, and see my love for you. 10 Because you have kept my word in quiet strength, I will keep you from the hour of testing which is coming on all the world, to put to the test those who are on earth. 11 I come quickly: keep that which you have, so that no one may take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the house of my God, and he will go out no more: and I will put on him the name of my God, and the name of the town of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my new name. 13 He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches.

The Message to Laodicea

14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea say: These things says the true and certain witness, the head of God's new order: 15 I have knowledge of your works, that you are not cold or warm: it would be better if you were cold or warm. 16 So because you are not one thing or the other, I will have no more to do with you. 17 For you say, I have wealth, and have got together goods and land, and have need of nothing; and you are not conscious of your sad and unhappy condition, that you are poor and blind and without clothing. 18 If you are wise you will get from me gold tested by fire, so that you may have true wealth; and white robes to put on, so that your shame may not be seen; and oil for your eyes, so that you may see. 19 To all those who are dear to me, I give sharp words and punishment: then with all your heart have sorrow for your evil ways. 20 See, I am waiting at the door and giving the sign; if my voice comes to any man's ears and he makes the door open, I will come in to him, and will take food with him and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes I will give a place with me on my high seat, even as I overcame, and am seated with my Father on his high seat. 22 He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches.