1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, for to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. And he sent and showed by his angel unto his servant John,
2 which bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Happy is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. For the time is at hand.
4 John, to the seven congregations in Asia. Grace be with you and peace, from him which is and which was, and which is to come: and from the seven spirits which are present before his throne,
5 and from Jesus Christ which is a faithful witness, and first begotten of the dead: and Lord over the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 and made us kings and priests unto God his father, be glory, and dominion for evermore amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds, and all eyes shall see him: and they also which pierced him. And all kindreds of the earth shall wail. Even so, amen.
8 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," saith the Lord almighty, which is and which was and which is to come.
9 John, your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience which is in Jesus Christ, was in the isle of Patmos for the word of God, and for the witnessing of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the spirit on a Sunday, and heard behind me a great voice, as it had been of a trumpet,
11 saying, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. That thou seest, write in a book and send it unto the congregations which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea."
12 And I turned back to see the voice that spake to me. And when I was turned: I saw seven golden candlesticks.
13 And in the midst of the candlesticks, one like unto the son of man clothed with a linen garment down to the ground, and gird about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and his hairs were white, as white wool, and as snow: and his eyes were as a flame of fire:
15 and his feet like unto brass, as though they burnt in a furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars. And out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword. And his face shone even as the sun in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet, even as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, "Fear not. I am the first and the last,
18 and am alive, and was dead. And behold I am alive for evermore, and have the keys of hell and of death.
19 Write therefore the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be fulfilled hereafter;
20 and the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the messengers of the seven congregations: And the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven congregations.