Revelation 2
Revised Geneva Translation
2 “To the angel of the Church 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 labor, and your patience. And how you cannot bear with those who are evil; and have examined those who say they are Apostles and are not and have found them liars.
3 “And you were burdened and had patience; and for my Name’s sake have labored and have not fainted.
4 “Nevertheless, I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love.
5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen. And repent and do the works you did at first. Or else I will come against you shortly and will remove your candlestick out of its place unless you repent.
6 “But this you have: that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “Let him who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches, ‘To him who overcomes will I give to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.’
8 “And to the angel of the Church of the Smyrnians write: ‘These things says He who is first and last, Who was dead and is alive:
9 “I know your works and tribulation and poverty. But you are rich. And I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 “Fear none of those things which you shall suffer. Behold, it shall come to pass that the devil shall cast some of you into prison, so that you may be tried. And you shall have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful to the death, and I will give you the crown of life.’
11 “Let he who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. He that overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
12 “And to the angel of the Church which is at Pergamos write: ‘Thus says He Who has that sharp sword with two edges,
13 ‘I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan’s throne is. And you keep My Name, and have not denied My faith; even in those days when Antipas, My faithful martyr, was slain among you where Satan dwells.
14 “But I have a few things against you because you have those there who maintain the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel so that they would eat of things sacrificed to idols and commit fornication.
15 Even so, you have those who maintain the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (which I hate).
16 Repent, or else I will come to you shortly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 “Let he who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. To him who overcomes, I will give to eat of the manna that is hidden; and will give him a white stone; and in the stone a new name written, which no one knows except he who receives it.
18 “And to the angel of the Church which is at Thyatira write: ‘These things says the Son of God, Who has eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like fine brass.
19 ‘I know your works and your love, and service and faith, and your patience; and that the works of those at the last are more than those at the first.
20 ‘Notwithstanding, I have a few things against you: that you put up with the woman, Jezebel. She calls herself a prophetess; to teach and to deceive my servants, to make them commit fornication, and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.
21 ‘And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she did not repent.
22 ‘Behold, I will cast her into a bed - and those who commit fornication with her into great affliction - unless they repent of their works.
23 ‘And I will kill her children with death. And all the Churches shall know that I am He who searches the deepest motives and hearts. And I will give to every one of you according to your works.
24 ‘And to you I say, ‘The rest of them of Thyatira, as many as have not received this learning, nor have known the deepness of Satan (as they speak), I will put upon you no other burden.
25 But to that which you have already, hold fast till I come.
26 ‘For he who overcomes and keeps My words to the end, to him I will give power over nations.
27 ‘And he shall rule them with a rod of iron. And as the vessels of a potter, shall they be broken.
28 ‘Even as I received from My Father, so will I give him the Morning Star.
29 ‘Let he who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.’”
启示录 2
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
给以弗所教会的信
2 “你要写信给在以弗所教会的使者，说：
‘那右手拿着七星，在七个金灯台中间行走的，这样说： 2 我知道你的行为、你的劳苦、你的忍耐，也知道你不能容忍恶人。你也曾经试验那些自称是使徒，而其实不是使徒的人，看出他们是假的。 3 你有忍耐，曾为我的名的缘故忍受一切，并不困倦。 4 然而有一件事我要责备你，就是你已经离弃了你起初的爱。 5 所以，你应当回想你是从哪里坠落的，并且要悔改，作起初所作的事。你若不悔改，我就要来到你那里，把你的灯台从原处移去。 6 不过你有这一个优点，就是你恨恶尼哥拉党的作为，那也是我所恨恶的。 7 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。得胜的，我必定把 神乐园里生命树的果子赐给他吃。’
给士每拿教会的信
8 “你要写信给在士每拿教会的使者，说：
‘那首先的、末后的、曾经死去而又活过来的，这样说： 9 我知道你的患难和贫穷，但你却是富足的。我也知道那些自称是犹太人所说毁谤的话，其实他们不是犹太人，而是撒但的党徒。 10 你不要怕你将要受的苦。看哪！魔鬼将要把你们中间几个人下在监里，叫你们受试炼，你们要受患难十天。你要忠心至死，我就把那生命的冠冕赐给你。 11 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。得胜的，决不会受第二次死的害。’
给别迦摩教会的信
12 “你要写信给在别迦摩教会的使者，说：
‘那有一把两刃利剑的，这样说： 13 我知道你居住的地方，就是撒但王座所在的地方。当我忠心的见证人安提帕在你们那里，就是在撒但居住的地方被杀的那些日子，你还持守我的名，没有否认对我的信仰。 14 然而有几件事我要责备你，因为在你那里有些人持守巴兰的教训。这巴兰曾经教导巴勒把绊脚石放在以色列人面前，叫他们吃祭过偶像的食物，并且行淫乱。 15 同样，你也有些人持守尼哥拉党的教训。 16 所以，你应当悔改；如果不悔改，我就很快地来到你们那里，用我口中的剑跟他们作战。 17 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。得胜的，我必定把那隐藏的吗哪赐给他，并且赐他一块白石，石上写着新的名字，这名字除了那领受的人以外，是没有人能知道的。’
给推雅推拉教会的信
18 “你要写信给在推雅推拉教会的使者，说：
‘ 神的儿子，那眼睛像火焰、两脚像光铜的，这样说： 19 我知道你的行为，你的爱心、信心、服侍和忍耐，也知道你后来所作的比先前的还要多。 20 然而有一件事我要责备你，就是你容让那自称是先知的妇人耶洗别，教导和引诱我的众仆人行淫乱，吃祭过偶像的食物。 21 我曾给她时间，让她悔改，她却不肯为她的淫行悔改。 22 看哪，我要把她拋在大患难的床上；那些跟她行淫乱的人，如果不为她的行为悔改，我也要把他们拋在大患难中。 23 我必以死亡击杀她的儿女；众教会就都知道我是察验人肺腑心肠的，我要照着你们的行为报应你们各人。 24 至于你们其余在推雅推拉的人，就是不跟从那教训，不认识所谓撒但深奥的事的人，我告诉你们，我不会把别的重担放在你们身上。 25 不过，你们要持守已经得着的，直到我来。 26 得胜的，又遵守我的旨意到底的，
我必把统治列国的权柄赐给他，
27 他必用铁杖治理他们，
好象打碎陶器一样粉碎他们，（“我必把……粉碎他们”引自诗2:8~9）
好象我从父领受了权柄一样； 28 我还要把晨星赐给他。 29 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。’”
Revelation 2
Expanded Bible
To the Church in Ephesus
2 “Write this to the ·angel [or messenger; see 1:20] of the church in Ephesus [C an important city in western Asia Minor]:
“The One who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands [C the resurrected Jesus; 1:16, 20] says ·this [L these things]: 2 I know ·what you do [L your works], ·how you work hard [L your toil] and ·never give up [L your perseverence/endurance]. I know you do not put up with ·the false teachings of evil people [L evildoers; or evil]. You have tested those who say they are apostles but really are not, and you found they are ·liars [or false]. 3 You have ·patience [perseverance; endurance] and have ·suffered troubles [endured much] for my name and have not ·given up [L grown weary].
4 “But I have this against you: You have ·left [abandoned] ·the love you had in the beginning [or your first love]. 5 So ·remember [consider] ·where you were before you fell [L how far you have fallen]. ·Change your hearts [Repent] and do ·what [L the works] you did at first. If you do not ·change [repent], I will come to you and will take away your lampstand from its place. 6 But ·there is something you do that is right [L this you have]: You hate what the Nicolaitans do [C we know little about this heresy, which possibly entailed false worship and immorality], as much as I.
7 “Every person who has ears should ·listen to [hear; obey] what the Spirit says to the churches. To those who ·win the victory [overcome; conquer] I will give the right to eat the fruit from the ·tree of life, which is in the ·garden [or paradise] of God [22:2; Gen. 2:9].
To the Church in Smyrna
8 “Write this to the ·angel [or messenger; see 1:20] of the church in Smyrna [C a major city in western Asia Minor, identified with present-day Izmir, Turkey]:
“The One who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again [C the resurrected Jesus; 1:17–18], says ·this [L these things]: 9 I know your ·troubles [persecution; affliction] and that you are poor, but really you are rich! I know the ·bad things [slander; blasphemy] some people say about you. They say they are Jews, but they are not true Jews. They are a synagogue ·that belongs to [L of] Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will ·suffer [be persecuted/afflicted] for ten days [C perhaps a symbolic number meaning a significant and definite time]. But be faithful, even if you have to die, and I will give you the ·crown [C a wreath worn to indicate high status or as a reward] of life.
11 “Everyone who has ears should ·listen to [hear; obey] what the Spirit says to the churches. Those who ·win the victory [overcome; conquer] will not be hurt by the second death [C the spiritual death after physical death; 20:6, 14; 21:8].
To the Church in Pergamum
12 “Write this to the ·angel [messenger; see 1:20] of the church in Pergamum [C a rich city in western Asia Minor]:
“The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword [C the resurrected Jesus; 1:16] says this [L these things]: 13 I know where you live. It is where Satan has his throne [C a reference to false worship; Pergamum was a center of emperor worship]. But you ·are true to me [L hold 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 [L among you; C we 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 [L put 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 [C the 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 [C perhaps 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 [C an 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 [C the name could be God’s or Christ’s, but more likely refers to a new name given to the people of God].
To the Church in Thyatira
18 “Write this to the ·angel [messenger; see 1:20] of the church in ·Thyatira [C a small city in western Asia Minor]:
“The Son of God, who has eyes that blaze like fire [1:14] and feet like shining bronze [1:15; C the resurrected Jesus], says ·this [L these things]: 19 I know ·what you do [your works]. I know about your love, your faith, your service, and your ·patience [endurance; perseverance]. I know that ·you are doing more now than you did at first [L your last works are greater than the first].
20 “But I have this against you: You ·let that woman Jezebel spread false teachings [L tolerate the woman Jezebel; C probably the leader of the Nicolaitans, here given the name of the notorious Baal-worshiping queen; 1 Kin. 16:31–34; 21:25–26; 2 Kin. 9:22]. She ·says she is [calls herself] a prophetess, but ·by her teaching she leads [teaches and misleads/deceives] my ·people [L servants] to take part in sexual sins and to eat food that is offered to idols. 21 I have given her time to ·change her heart and turn away from her sin [repent of her sexual immorality], but she does not want to ·change [repent]. 22 ·So [L Look!] I will throw her on ·a bed of suffering [or a sickbed; C the bed used for sexual sin is now a bed of suffering]. And all those who take part in adultery with her will suffer greatly if they do not ·turn away from the wrongs she does [repent of her works/deeds]. 23 I will also kill her ·followers [L children]. Then all the churches will know I am the One who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you for ·what you have done [your works/deeds].
24 “But ·others [the rest] of you in Thyatira have not followed her teaching and have not learned what some call Satan’s deep secrets. I say to you that I will not put any other ·load [burden] on you. 25 Only ·continue in your loyalty [L hold fast to what you have] until I come.
26 “I will give ·power [authority] over the nations to everyone who ·wins the victory [overcomes; conquers] and ·continues to be obedient to me [or keeps working for me; L keeps/obeys my works] until the end.
27 ‘·You [L he; C the one who overcomes] will ·rule over [L shepherd] them with an iron ·rod [or scepter],
·as when pottery is broken into pieces [or and will break them into pieces like pottery; Ps. 2:9].’
28 This is the same ·power [authority] I received from my Father. I will also give him the morning star [C usually the planet Venus as seen before sunrise, but here symbolically Christ at his return; 22:16; Num. 24:17; 2 Pet. 1:19]. 29 Everyone who has ears should ·listen to [hear; obey] what the Spirit says to the churches.
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