He exhorts four of the congregations to mend their ways, and shows the reward of the person who overcomes.

2 To the messenger of the congregation of Ephesus write: These things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: ² I know your works, and your labour, and your patience, and how you cannot bear those who are evil. And you examined those who say they are apostles, but are not, and have found them liars, ³ and did wash yourself. And you have patience, and for my name’s sake have laboured, and have not fainted.

⁴ Nevertheless, I have something against you. For you have left your first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from whence you are fallen, and repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you shortly and will remove your candlestick out of its place – unless you repent.

⁶ But this you have: you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which deeds I also hate. ⁷ Let him who has ears hear what the Spirit says to the congregations. To him who overcomes, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.