To the Church in Pergamum

¹² “Write this to the ·angel [messenger; see 1:20] of the church in Pergamum [^Ca rich city in western Asia Minor]:

“The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword [^Cthe resurrected Jesus; 1:16] says this [^Lthese things]: ¹³ I know where you live. It is where Satan has his throne [^Ca reference to false worship; Pergamum was a center of emperor worship]. But you ·are true to me [^Lhold fast to my name]. You did not ·refuse to tell about [deny] your faith in me even during the time of Antipas, my faithful witness who was killed ·in your city [^Lamong you; ^Cwe know nothing further about Antipas], where Satan lives.

¹⁴ “But I have a few things against you: You have some there who follow the teaching of Balaam. He taught Balak how to ·cause the people of Israel to sin [^Lput a stumbling block before the children of Israel] by eating food offered to idols and by taking part in sexual sins [Num. 22—24; 31:8; Deut. 23:4–5; 2 Pet. 2:15; Jude 11]. ¹⁵ You also have some who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans [see 2:6]. ¹⁶ So ·change your hearts and lives [repent]. If you do not, I will come to you quickly and ·fight [make war] against them with the sword that comes out of my mouth [^Cthe judgment he enacts by merely speaking; 1:16].

¹⁷ “Everyone who has ears should ·listen to [hear; obey] what the Spirit says to the churches.

“I will give some of the hidden manna [^Cperhaps alluding to a Jewish tradition that the manna placed in the ark is hidden until the messianic age; ultimately referring to the spiritual life Christ provides; John 6:32–35] to everyone who ·wins the victory [overcomes; conquers]. I will also give to each one who ·wins the victory [overcomes; conquers] a white stone with a new name written on it [^Can unknown cultural image, which, along with the manna, points to salvation in Christ]. No one knows this new name except the one who receives it [^Cthe name could be God’s or Christ’s, but more likely refers to a new name given to the people of God].