Jesus sends messages to the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos and Thyatira. He praises what is good, rebukes what is wrong, and promises rewards to those who overcome.
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write ; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand , who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks ;
2 I know thy works , and thy labour , and thy patience , and how thou canst not bear them which are evil : and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles , and are not , and hast found them liars :
3 And hast borne , and hast patience , and for my name's sake hast laboured , and hast not fainted .
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee , because thou hast left thy first love .
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen , and repent , and do the first works ; or else I will come unto thee quickly , and will remove thy candlestick out of his place , except thou repent .
6 But this thou hast , that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans , which I also hate .
7 He that hath an ear , let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches ; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life , which is in the midst of the paradise of God .
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write ; These things saith the first and the last , which was dead , and is alive ;
9 I know thy works , and tribulation , and poverty ,(but thou art rich ) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews , and are not , but are the synagogue of Satan .
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer : behold , the devil shall cast some of you into prison , that ye may be tried ; and ye shall have tribulation ten days : be thou faithful unto death , and I will give thee a crown of life .
11 He that hath an ear , let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches ; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death .
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write ; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges ;
13 I know thy works , and where thou dwellest , even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name , and hast not denied my faith , even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr , who was slain among you , where Satan dwelleth .
14 But I have a few things against thee , because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam , who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel , to eat things sacrificed unto idols , and to commit fornication .
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans , which thing I hate .
16 Repent ; or else I will come unto thee quickly , and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth .
17 He that hath an ear , let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches ; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna , and will give him a white stone , and in the stone a new name written , which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write ; These things saith the Son of God , who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire , and his feet are like fine brass ;
19 I know thy works , and charity , and service , and faith , and thy patience , and thy works ; and the last to be more than the first .
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee , because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel , which calleth herself a prophetess , to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication , and to eat things sacrificed unto idols .
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication ; and she repented not .
22 Behold , I will cast her into a bed , and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation , except they repent of their deeds .
23 And I will kill her children with death ; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts : and I will give unto every one of you according to your works .
24 But unto you I say , and unto the rest in Thyatira , as many as have not this doctrine , and which have not known the depths of Satan , as they speak ; I will put upon you none other burden .
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come .
26 And he that overcometh , and keepeth my works unto the end , to him will I give power over the nations :
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron ; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers : even as I received of my Father .
28 And I will give him the morning star .
29 He that hath an ear , let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches .