2:1 Write to the messenger of the congregation* in Ephesus:
He who is holding-fast the seven stars in his right hand and who is walking in the middle of the seven golden lamp-stands says these things:
2:2 I know your works and your labor and endurance and that you are not able to bear evil ones and you tested those who are saying about themselves, They are apostles and are not and you found them false witnesses;
2:3 and you have endurance and did bear because of my name and did not fatigue.
2:4 But I have this against you; that you left your first love*.
2:5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and practice the first works; otherwise if you do not repent, I am coming to you shortly and will move your lamp-stand out of its place.
2:6 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the congregations*. To the one who overcomes, I will be giving to him to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of my God.
2:8 And write to the messenger of the congregation* in Smyrna:
The first and the last, who became dead and lived again says these things:
2:9 I know your works, your affliction and your poverty (but you are rich) and the blasphemy from those who are saying themselves to be Jews and they are not, but are a synagogue of the Adversary.
2:10 Let no one fear the things which you are about to suffer! Behold, the devil is about to cast some from you* into prison, in order that you* may be tested and you* will have affliction ten days. Become faithful till death and I will be giving you the crown of life.
2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the congregations*. He who overcomes should never be hurt from the second death.
2:12 And write to the messenger of the congregation* in Pergamus:
He who has the sharp two edged long-sword says these things:
2:13 I know your works and where you dwell-- where the Adversary's throne is, and you are holding-fast my name and did not deny my faith in the days, in which my witness, the faithful Antipas was killed beside you*, where the Adversary is dwelling.
2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some holding-fast the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast an offense in the sight the sons of Israel, even to eat idol-sacrifices and to fornicate. {Num 25:1-3, 31:16}
2:15 So you also likewise have some holding-fast the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
2:16 Therefore repent; otherwise I am coming to you shortly and will make war with them with* the long-sword of my mouth.
2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the congregations*. To the one who overcomes, I will be giving to him from the manna which has been hidden and I will be giving him a white voting-pebble and a new name that has been written upon the voting-pebble, which no one knows except he who receives it.
2:18 And write to the messenger of the congregation* in Thyatira:
The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire and his feet are similar to polished brass says these things:
2:19 I know your works and love* and faith and service and endurance and your last works are more-than the first ones.
2:20 But I have this against you, that you are allowing your woman {Or: wife} Jezebel, she who calls* herself the prophetess, and is teaching and misleading my bondservants to fornicate and to eat idol-sacrifices.
2:21 And I gave some time to her, in order that she might repent, and she is not willing to repent from her fornication.
2:22 Behold, I cast her onto a bed and those who are committing adultery with her into great affliction, if they do not repent from her works.
2:23 And I will be killing her children with* death, and all the congregations* will know that I am he who is searching the kidneys {i.e. thoughts; see heart*} and hearts and I will be giving to you*, each one according to your* works.
2:24 But I am saying to you* and to the rest, those in Thyatira, as many as are not holding to this teaching, who did not know the deep things of the Adversary, as they are saying, I am not putting upon you* another burden.
2:25 However hold-fast * to what you* have, till the time I should come.
2:26 And he who overcomes and he who is keeping my works till the end, to him I will be giving authority over the nations.
2:27 And he will shepherd them with* an iron rod, as the vessels of the potter will be crushed; as I have also received from my Father;
2:28 and I will be giving to him the morning star.
2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the congregations*.