¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are one, ^(A)and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

²¹ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were ^(A)faithful over a few things, ^(B)I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into ^(C)the joy of your lord.’ ²² He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ ²³ His lord said to him, ^(D)‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into ^(E)the joy of your lord.’

^5 (A)Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to ^(B)light the hidden things of darkness and ^(C)reveal the ^[a]counsels of the hearts. ^(D)Then each one’s praise will come from God.

The Persecuted Church

⁸ “And to the ^[a]angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says ^(A)the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: ⁹ “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are ^(B)rich); and I know the blasphemy of ^(C)those who say they are Jews and are not, ^(D)but are a ^[b]synagogue of Satan. ^10 (E)Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. ^(F)Be faithful until death, and I will give you ^(G)the crown of life.

^11 (H)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by ^(I)the second death.” ’

The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant^(A)

^45 (B)“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food ^[a]in due season? ^46 (C)Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. ⁴⁷ Assuredly, I say to you that ^(D)he will make him ruler over all his goods.

⁴ and when ^(A)the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive ^(B)the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Shepherd the Flock

5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a ^(A)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the ^(B)glory that will be revealed:

¹⁹ For ^(A)what is our hope, or joy, or ^(B)crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the ^(C)presence of our Lord Jesus Christ ^(D)at His coming?