saying, "What you see, write in a book and send [it] to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: "This is what the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand says, the one who walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands:

The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will grant to him to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.'

"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: "This is what the first and the last says, who was dead and came to life:

The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.'

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: "This is what the one who has the sharp double-edged sword says:

The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give to him [some] of the hidden manna, and I will give to him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, that no one knows except the one who receives [it].'

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: "This is what the Son of God says, the one who has his eyes like a fiery flame and his feet like fine bronze:

Nevertheless, hold fast to what you have until I come.

The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: "This is what the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says: 'I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, and you are dead.

Therefore remember how you have received and heard, and observe [it], and repent. If therefore you are not on the alert, I will come like a thief, and you will never know [at] what hour I will come against you.

The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: "This is what the holy one, the true one, the one who has the key of David, the one who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one can open, says:

I am coming quickly! Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may take away your crown.

The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: "This is what the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God's creation, says:

The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

And I saw the dead--the great and the small--standing before the throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the [book] of life, and the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward [is] with me, to repay each one according to [what] his deeds are!