Revelation 2
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Write To Ephesus: You Left Your First Love. Repent And Do The First Works
2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write— These things says the One holding-on-to the seven stars in His right hand, the One walking in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your works and[a] labor and your endurance, and that you cannot bear-with evil ones. And you tested the ones calling themselves apostles (and they are not) and you found them to be false. 3 And you have endurance, and bore-up for the sake of My name, and have not become-weary. 4 But I have against you that you left your first love. 5 Therefore, be remembering[b] from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works. Otherwise, I am coming to you. And I will move[c] your lampstand from its place unless you repent. 6 But this you have— that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Let the one having an ear hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the one overcoming[d], I will give him authority to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.
Write To Smyrna: You Are Going To Suffer. Be Faithful
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna, write— These things says the First and the Last Who became dead and came-to-life. 9 I know your affliction, and[e] poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by the ones saying that they are Jews (and they are not), but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be fearing at all the things which you are about to suffer. Behold— the devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. And you will have affliction for ten days. Be[f] faithful until[g] death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 Let the one having an ear hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. The one overcoming will never be harmed by the second death.
Write To Pergamum: You Have Some Holding On To False Teachings. Repent
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum, write— These things says the One having the sharp double-edged sword. 13 I know where you dwell: where Satan’s throne is. And you are holding-on-to My name. And you did not deny My faith[h], even during the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there ones holding-on-to the teaching of Balaam, who was teaching Balak to put a cause-of-falling before the sons of Israel to eat foods-sacrificed-to-idols and to commit-sexual-immorality. 15 So you also have ones holding-on-to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise. 16 Therefore repent. Otherwise, I am coming to you[i] quickly. And I will fight[j] against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 Let the one having an ear hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the one overcoming— I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white pebble. And having been written upon the pebble is a new name which no one knows except the one[k] receiving it.
Write To Thyatira: You Are Tolerating a False Teacher. Repent From Her Works
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira, write— These things says the Son of God, the One having His eyes like a flame of fire and His feet resembling brass[l]. 19 I know your works and[m] love and faith[n] and service and your endurance. And your last works are greater[o] than the first. 20 But I have against you that you are tolerating the woman Jezebel— the one calling herself a prophet. And she is teaching and misleading My slaves to commit-sexual-immorality and eat foods-sacrificed-to-idols. 21 And I gave her time in order that she might repent. And she is not willing to repent from her sexual-immorality. 22 Behold— I am throwing[p] her into a bed[q], and the ones committing-adultery with her into a great affliction, unless they repent from her works. 23 And I will kill her children[r] with a death[s]. And all the churches will know[t] that I am the One searching[u] minds and hearts, and I will give to you, to each one, according to your works. 24 But I say to you, to the rest in Thyatira— all-who are not holding this teaching, who did not know the deep things of Satan (as they say): I am not putting[v] another burden upon you. 25 However, hold-on-to what you have until whenever I come. 26 And the one overcoming and[w] the one keeping My works[x] until the end— I will give him authority over the nations. 27 And he will shepherd[y] them with an iron rod like clay vessels are broken-to-pieces, 28 as I also[z] have received from My Father. And I will give him the morning[aa] star. 29 Let the one having an ear hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
Footnotes
- Revelation 2:2 Or, even.
- Revelation 2:5 Or, keeping in mind.
- Revelation 2:5 Or, shake, remove.
- Revelation 2:7 Or, conquering, being victorious.
- Revelation 2:9 Or, even.
- Revelation 2:10 Or, Prove-to-be faithful ones.
- Revelation 2:10 Or, as far as, to the extent of.
- Revelation 2:13 That is, your faith in Me; or, My gospel.
- Revelation 2:16 That is, the church. This word is singular.
- Revelation 2:16 Or, wage war.
- Revelation 2:17 Or, the One; that is, Jesus, 19:12.
- Revelation 2:18 Or, metal.
- Revelation 2:19 Or, even.
- Revelation 2:19 Or, faithfulness.
- Revelation 2:19 That is, in quantity (more) or quality (better, superior).
- Revelation 2:22 Or, putting.
- Revelation 2:22 That is, of sickness; or, of judgment.
- Revelation 2:23 That is, followers.
- Revelation 2:23 kill... with a death. That is, I will surely kill. Or, I will kill... with pestilence.
- Revelation 2:23 Or, come-to-know.
- Revelation 2:23 Or, examining.
- Revelation 2:24 Or, throwing, as in v 22.
- Revelation 2:26 Or, even.
- Revelation 2:26 As opposed to her works, v 22.
- Revelation 2:27 That is, rule.
- Revelation 2:28 Compare 19:15.
- Revelation 2:28 That is, the light of a new day; or, Myself, since this phrase is used of Christ in 22:16.
Revelation 2
New King James Version
The Loveless Church
2 “To the [a]angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says (A)He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, (B)who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 (C)“I know your works, your labor, your [b]patience, and that you cannot [c]bear those who are evil. And (D)you have tested those (E)who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have (F)not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, (G)or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 (H)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give (I)to eat from (J)the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
The Persecuted Church
8 “And to the [d]angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says (K)the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are (L)rich); and I know the blasphemy of (M)those who say they are Jews and are not, (N)but are a [e]synagogue of Satan. 10 (O)Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. (P)Be faithful until death, and I will give you (Q)the crown of life.
11 (R)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by (S)the second death.” ’
The Compromising Church
12 “And to the [f]angel of the church in Pergamos write,
‘These things says (T)He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of (U)Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, (V)to eat things sacrificed to idols, (W)and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, [g]which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and (X)will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden (Y)manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone (Z)a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
The Corrupt Church
18 “And to the [h]angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, (AA)who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 (AB)“I know your works, love, [i]service, faith, and your [j]patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have [k]a few things against you, because you allow [l]that woman (AC)Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, [m]to teach and seduce My servants (AD)to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time (AE)to [n]repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of [o]their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who (AF)searches[p] the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 “Now to you I say, [q]and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the (AG)depths of Satan, as they say, (AH)I [r]will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast (AI)what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps (AJ)My works until the end, (AK)to him I will give power over the nations—
27 ‘He(AL) shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him (AM)the morning star.
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
Footnotes
- Revelation 2:1 Or messenger
- Revelation 2:2 perseverance
- Revelation 2:2 endure
- Revelation 2:8 Or messenger
- Revelation 2:9 congregation
- Revelation 2:12 Or messenger
- Revelation 2:15 NU, M likewise.
- Revelation 2:18 Or messenger
- Revelation 2:19 NU, M faith, service
- Revelation 2:19 perseverance
- Revelation 2:20 NU, M against you that you tolerate
- Revelation 2:20 M your wife Jezebel
- Revelation 2:20 NU, M and teaches and seduces
- Revelation 2:21 NU, M repent, and she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.
- Revelation 2:22 NU, M her
- Revelation 2:23 examines
- Revelation 2:24 NU, M omit and
- Revelation 2:24 NU, M omit will
Revelation 2
King James Version
2 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto 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。’”
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.

