1. "Here is what I command you to write to the church in Ephesus. Here are the words of the One who holds the seven stars in his right hand. He also walks among the seven golden lampstands. He says,
2. 'I know what you are doing. You work long and hard. I know you can't put up with those who are evil. You have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not. You have found out that they are liars.
3. You have been faithful and have put up with a lot of trouble because of me. You have not given up.
4. 'But here is something I hold against you. You don't have as much love as you had at first.
5. Remember how far you have fallen! Turn away from your sins. Do the things you did at first. If you don't, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
6. 'But you do have this in your favor. You hate the way the Nicolaitans act. I hate it too.
7. 'Those who have ears should listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches. I will allow those who overcome to eat from the tree of life in God's paradise.'
8. "Here is what I command you to write to the church in Smyrna. Here are the words of the One who is the First and the Last. He is the One who died and came to life again. He says,
9. 'I know that you suffer and are poor. But you are rich! Some people say they are Jews but are not. I know that their words are evil. Their worship is satanic.
10. 'Don't be afraid of what you are going to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you. You will be treated badly for ten days. Be faithful, even if it means you must die. Then I will give you a crown. The crown is life itself.
11. 'Those who have ears should listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches. Those who overcome will not be hurt at all by the second death.'
12. "Here is what I command you to write to the church in Pergamum. Here are the words of the One with the sharp sword that has two edges. He says,
13. 'I know that you live where Satan has his throne. But you remain true to me. You did not give up your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness. He was put to death in your city, where Satan lives.
14. 'But I have a few things against you. You have people there who follow the teaching of Balaam. He taught Balak to lead the people of Israel into sin. So they ate food that had been offered to statues of gods. And they committed sexual sins.
15. You also have people who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16. 'So turn away from your sins! If you don't, I will come to you soon. I will fight against those people with the sword that comes out of my mouth.