给以弗所教会的信

“你要写信告诉以弗所教会的天使,那位右手拿着七颗星、往来于七个金灯台中间的主说,

‘我知道你的行为、劳碌和坚忍,也知道你疾恶如仇,曾查验出那些假冒的使徒,揭穿他们的虚假。 你曾坚定不移地为我的名受苦,没有气馁。 但有一件事我要责备你,就是你把起初的爱心丢弃了。 因此,要回想你在哪里跌倒了,并且悔改,照起初所行的去行。否则,我就要到你那里,将你的灯台从原处拿走。 然而你还有一点可取之处,就是你跟我一样痛恨尼哥拉党人的行径。

‘圣灵对各教会所说的话,凡有耳朵的都应当听。我必将上帝乐园中生命树上的果子赐给得胜者吃。’

给士每拿教会的信

“你要写信告诉士每拿教会的天使,那位首先的、末后的、死而复活的主说,

‘我知道你遭受的苦难和贫穷,其实你是富足的。我也知道那些人对你的毁谤,他们自称为犹太人,其实不是,而是撒旦的同伙[a] 10 你不要害怕将要遭受的苦难。魔鬼要将你们当中的一些人下在监里,试炼你们,你们必遭受十天的迫害。但你要至死忠心,我必赐给你生命的冠冕。

11 ‘圣灵对各教会所说的话,凡有耳朵的都应当听。得胜者必不被第二次死亡所害。’

给别迦摩教会的信

12 “你要写信告诉别迦摩教会的天使,那位有两刃利剑的主说,

13 ‘我知道你住在撒旦称王的地方。当我忠心的见证人安提帕在你们这撒旦盘踞之处殉道的时候,你仍然坚守我的名,仍然信靠我。 14 不过有几件事我要责备你,你那里有人随从巴兰的教导。这巴兰从前教巴勒在以色列人面前布下网罗,使他们吃祭过偶像的食物、犯淫乱的罪。 15 同样,你们当中也有人附从尼哥拉党的教导。 16 所以你要悔改,否则我必迅速到你那里,用我口中的剑攻击他们。

17 ‘圣灵对各教会所说的话,凡有耳朵的都应当听。我必将隐藏的吗哪赐给得胜者。我也要赐给他一块白石,石上刻着一个新名字,除了那领受的人以外,没有人认识。’

给推雅推喇教会的信

18 “你要写信告诉推雅推喇教会的天使,那位双目如火焰、双脚像闪亮精铜的上帝的儿子说,

19 ‘我知道你的行为、爱心、信心、事奉、坚忍,也知道你末后所做的善事比起初更多。 20 可是有一件事我要责备你,就是你容许那自称是先知的妇人耶洗别教导我的众奴仆,引诱他们淫乱、吃祭过偶像的食物。 21 我曾给她悔改的机会,她却不肯悔改、离弃自己的淫乱行为, 22 所以我必叫她卧病在床。那些与她有染的人若不悔改,也必遭受极大的苦难。 23 我要击杀她的爪牙[b],使众教会都知道我洞察人的心思意念,我要照你们各人的行为对待你们。

24 ‘至于你们其余在推雅推喇的人,就是不听那邪说,没有学习所谓的撒旦玄学的人,我告诉你们,我不会将别的重担放在你们身上。 25 但你们要好好持守自己已经得到的,一直到我来。 26 至于那得胜又遵守我命令到底的人,我必赐给他统治列国的权柄, 27 正如我从我父得到的权柄。他必用铁杖管辖列国,将他们如同陶器一般打得粉碎。 28 我也要把晨星赐给他。

29 ‘圣灵对各教会所说的话,凡有耳朵的都应当听。’

Footnotes

  1. 2:9 撒旦的同伙”希腊文是“撒旦的会众”,用以表达与“耶和华的会众”对立。
  2. 2:23 爪牙”希腊文是“儿女”。

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith he, who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them that are evil, and thou hast tried them, who say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

And thou hast patience, and hast endured for my name, and hast not fainted.

But I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first charity.

Be mindful therefore from whence thou art fallen: and do penance, and do the first works. Or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou do penance.

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

He, that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: To him, that overcometh, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God.

And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write: These things saith the First and the Last, who was dead, and is alive:

I know thy tribulation and thy poverty, but thou art rich: and thou art blasphemed by them that 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 will cast some of you into prison that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful until death: and I will give thee the crown of life.

11 He, that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: He that shall overcome, shall not be hurt by the second death.

12 And to the angel of the church of Pergamus write: These things, saith he, that hath the sharp two edged sword:

13 I know where thou dwellest, where the seat of Satan is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith. Even in those days when Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

14 But I have against thee a few things: 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, and to commit fornication:

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites.

16 In like manner do penance: if not, I will come to 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 to the churches: To him that overcometh, I will give the hidden manna, and will give him a white counter, and in the counter, a new name written, which no man knoweth, but he that receiveth it.

18 And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like to a flame of fire, and his feet like to fine brass.

19 I know thy works, and thy faith, and thy charity, and thy ministry, and thy patience, and thy last works which are more than the former.

20 But I have against thee a few things: because thou sufferest the woman Jezabel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat of things sacrificed to idols.

21 And I gave her a time that she might do penance, and she will not repent of her fornication.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed: and they that commit adultery with her shall be in very great tribulation, except they do penance from their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your works. But to you I say,

24 And to the rest who are at Thyatira: Whosoever have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will not put upon you any other burthen.

25 Yet that, which you have, hold fast till I come.

26 And he that shall overcome, and keep my works unto the end, I will give him power over the nations.

27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and as the vessel of a potter they shall be broken,

28 As I also have received of my Father: and I will give him the morning star.

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