^17 (A)When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But ^(B)he laid his right hand on me, ^(C)saying, “Fear not, ^(D)I am the first and the last,

Besides Me There Is No God

^13 (A)I am the Alpha and the Omega, ^(B)the first and the last, ^(C)the beginning and the end.”

⁸ So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and ^(A)no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed,^{[a] (B)}and I retained no strength. ⁹ Then I heard the sound of his words, ^(C)and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep ^(D)with my face to the ground.

¹⁰ And behold, ^(E)a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

¹⁷ So he came near where I stood. And when he came, ^(A)I was frightened ^(B)and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, ^(C)O son of man, that the vision is for ^(D)the time of the end.”

¹⁸ And when he had spoken to me, ^(E)I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But ^(F)he touched me and made me stand up.

The Lord's Call to Israel

To the Church in Smyrna

⁸ “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of ^(A)the first and the last, ^(B)who died and came to life.

¹⁷ How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”

¹⁸ Again ^(A)one having the appearance of a man ^(B)touched me and strengthened me. ¹⁹ And he said, ^(C)“O man greatly loved, ^(D)fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”