²⁰ The ^[a]mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are ^(A)the ^[b]angels of the seven churches, and ^(B)the seven lampstands ^[c]which you saw are the seven churches.

The Loveless Church

2 “To the ^[a]angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says ^(A)He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, ^(B)who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

² And he said to me, “What do you see?”

So I said, “I am looking, and there is ^(A)a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, ^(B)and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps.

The Dead Church

3 “And to the ^[a]angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who ^(A)has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

^16 (A)He had in His right hand seven stars, ^(B)out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, ^(C)and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.