To the Congregation in Sardis
1 “To the messenger of the Congregation in Sardis, write this:
“These are the words of the one having the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I have seen what you’ve been doing, with your reputation of being alive— but you are dead! 2 Wake up and reinforce what little remains and is about to die, because you have not fulfilled your work before my God. 3 Remember, then, what you have received and heard; guard it and turn to God. But if you don’t stay alert, I will come like a thief, without warning.
4 “But you have a few people there in Sardis who have not contaminated their clothes; they will walk with me in white, because they are worthy. 5 Those who conquer will likewise be clothed in white garments, and I will definitely not erase their names from the Book of Life but will acknowledge them before my Father and his angels.
6 “Let those with ears pay attention to what the Spirit is saying to the Congregations!
To the Congregation in Philadelphia
7 “To the messenger of the Congregation in Philadelphia, write this:
“These are the words of the one who is holy and true, the one having the Key of David that opens what no one can lock and locks what no one can open. 8 I have seen what you’ve been doing, but look! I have set before you an open door that no one can shut, because you have little power yet you guard my Word and have not renounced my name.
9 “Look! I am making those of the synagogue of Satan (who lie and say they are Judeans but are not) come and worship at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you guarded the Word of my endurance, I will also guard you out of the hour of trial that is about to come upon the whole inhabited world, to test all who live on the earth. 11 I am coming suddenly! Hold tightly to what you have so that no one can take your reward.
12 “Those who conquer will be made pillars in the temple of my God and will never go outside of it again. And I will write on them the name of my God and the name of his city, the New Jerusalem descending out of heaven from him, and my new name.
13 “Let those with ears pay attention to what the Spirit is saying to the Congregations!
To the Congregation in Laodicea
14 “To the messenger of the Congregation in Laodicea, write this:
“These are the words of the True One, the trustworthy martyr, the originator of God’s creation. 15 I have seen what you’ve been doing. You are neither hot nor cold; if only you were one or the other! 16 And so since you are tepid— neither hot nor cold— I am about to vomit you out of my mouth! 17 You say ‘I am rich and have amassed wealth and need nothing’, but you cannot see that you are wretched, pitiful, destitute, blind, and naked.
18 “I advise you to buy from me refined gold so you can be truly rich, white clothes so your shameful nakedness will not be exposed, and eye salve to anoint your eyes so you can see. 19 Those I am fond of I rebuke and instruct. So be filled with desire, and turn to God!
20 “Look! I have been standing here knocking on the doors. If anyone hears the sound and opens up the doors, I will enter in and dine with them, and they with me. 21 To those who conquer I will grant the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I conquered and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Let those with ears pay attention to what the Spirit is saying to the Congregations!”