⁶ But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives.

⁵ You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.

The Message to the Church in Sardis

3 “Write this letter to the angel^[a] of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit^[b] of God and the seven stars:

²⁴ for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

³² We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

¹⁴ for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

Made Alive with Christ

2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

¹³ “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.

²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.^[a]”