¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet^(A) as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me^(B) and said: “Do not be afraid.^(C) I am the First and the Last.^(D)

The Lord, Not Idols

¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega,^(A) the First and the Last,^(B) the Beginning and the End.^(C)

⁸ So I was left alone,^(A) gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left,^(B) my face turned deathly pale^(C) and I was helpless.^{(D) 9} Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.^(E)

¹⁰ A hand touched me^(F) and set me trembling on my hands and knees.^(G)

¹⁷ As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate.^(A) “Son of man,”^[a] he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”^(B)

¹⁸ While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.^(C) Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.^(D)

Israel Freed

To the Church in Smyrna

⁸ “To the angel of the church in Smyrna^(A) write:

¹⁷ How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”^(A)

¹⁸ Again the one who looked like a man touched^(B) me and gave me strength.^{(C) 19} “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,”^(D) he said. “Peace!^(E) Be strong now; be strong.”^(F)

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”^(G)