To the Church in Smyrna

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

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last,(B) who died and came to life again.(C) I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!(D) I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not,(E) but are a synagogue of Satan.(F) 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,(G) and you will suffer persecution for ten days.(H) Be faithful,(I) even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.(J)

11 Whoever has ears, let them hear(K) what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.(L)

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The Letter to Smyrna

“Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last,(A) the one who was dead and came to life: I know your[a] affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.(B) 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil(C) is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days.(D) Be faithful to the point of death,(E) and I will give you the crown[b] of life.(F)

11 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:9 Other mss add works and
  2. 2:10 Or wreath