Revelation 2

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;

Write to the angel of the Ephesus church; The one who holds seven stars in his right hand and walks among seven golden lamps says this;

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:

I see your efforts, your hard work, and your patience. I know how you can't stand the wicked. You've tested those who claim to be messengers of truth, but are not, and you've exposed their lies.

And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

You've endured, shown patience, and worked tirelessly for the sake of my name, without ever giving up.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

I'm upset with you because you've abandoned your initial love.

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.

Remember how far you've strayed, feel remorse, and return to your initial good deeds. If not, I'll come swiftly and take away your light unless you show true regret.

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

You share this with me: a deep dislike for the actions of the Nicolaitanes, which I too find detestable.

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.

If you can listen, then hear the Spirit's message to the churches. To those who conquer their challenges, I promise a taste from the tree of life, found in God's heavenly paradise.

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Write this to the angel of the church in Smyrna; The One who is the beginning and the end, who once was dead but now lives, says these things:

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.

I understand your deeds, struggles, and poverty, yet you're truly wealthy. I'm aware of the slander of those who say they are Jews but are not; they are a synagogue of Satan.

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.

Don't be afraid of the hardships you'll face. The devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you'll suffer for ten days. Remain loyal even if it costs your life, and I will give you the crown of life.

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.

If you can listen, tune into the Spirit's message for the churches. Those who conquer their challenges won't be harmed by life's second death.

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Write to the angel of the church in Pergamos; the one wielding the double-edged sword speaks these words:

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.

I'm aware of your actions and where you live, where Satan has his throne. Yet, you've held onto my name and never denied your faith in me, even in the days when Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed among you, there where Satan lives.

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.

But I have a few things against you: some of you there hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balac to set a trap for the people of Israel, so that they would eat food offered to idols and commit sexual immorality.

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

You also tolerate those who follow the teachings of the Nicolaitanes, something I deeply despise.

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Change your ways, or I'll come to you swiftly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

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.

Listen closely, if you can, to what the Spirit says to the churches. To those who overcome I will give the hidden manna to eat, and a white stone with a new name inscribed on it, known only to the one who receives it.

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;

Write to the messenger of the church in Thyatira; this is the message from the Son of God, whose gaze burns like fire and whose feet shine like polished brass.

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.

I see your deeds, your love, your service, your faith, and your patience. I see your growth, your recent actions outshining your past.

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.

Despite this, I'm upset with you. You've allowed that woman, Jezebel, who claims to be a prophetess, to teach and mislead my followers into sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols.

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, but she refused.

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Watch out, I will throw her onto a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her into great suffering, unless they truly repent of what they have done.

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.

I will tragically end her offspring's lives, making all congregations realize that I am the one who deeply understands their innermost thoughts and feelings. I will reward each person based on their actions.

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.

To you and everyone else in Thyatira who haven't followed these teachings or delved into Satan's depths, I promise, I won't add any more burdens on you.

But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

Hold tightly to what you already possess until I return.

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Whoever stays strong, follows my teachings till the end, I will bless them with the ability to lead nations.

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.

He will rule them with an iron rod and smash them to pieces like clay pots, just as I have received this authority from my Father.

And I will give him the morning star.

I will gift him the brilliance of the dawn's first light.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

If you can listen, tune in to the messages the Spirit is sending to the churches.