³⁷ “Then make its seven lamps^(A) and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it.

² “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.^(A)’”

²⁰ The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand^(A) and of the seven golden lampstands^(B) is this: The seven stars are the angels^[a] of the seven churches,^(C) and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.^(D)

To the Church in Ephesus

2 “To the angel^[b] of the church in Ephesus^(E) write:

¹² I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,^(A)

² He asked me, “What do you see?”^(A)

I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand^(B) with a bowl at the top and seven lamps^(C) on it, with seven channels to the lamps.

¹¹ Every morning and evening^(A) they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense^(B) to the Lord. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table^(C) and light the lamps^(D) on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of the Lord our God. But you have forsaken him.

² “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually. ³ Outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the Lord from evening till morning, continually. This is to be a lasting ordinance^(A) for the generations to come. ⁴ The lamps on the pure gold lampstand^(B) before the Lord must be tended continually.

²¹ In the tent of meeting,^(A) outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law,^(B) Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps^(C) burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance^(D) among the Israelites for the generations to come.

⁵ There will be no more night.^(A) They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.^(B) And they will reign for ever and ever.^(C)