Revelation 2:8-11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Message to Smyrna
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who was dead and came to life:(A)
9 “I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not but are a synagogue of Satan.(B) 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.(C) 11 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death.(D)
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Revelation 2:8-11
New English Translation
To the Church in Smyrna
8 “To[a] the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following:[b]
“This is the solemn pronouncement of[c] the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but[d] came to life: 9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering[e] and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know[f] the slander against you[g] by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue[h] of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown[i] into prison so you may be tested,[j] and you will experience suffering[k] for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.[l] 11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers[m] will in no way be harmed by the second death.’
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- Revelation 2:8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated due to differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 2:8 tn The phrase “the following” after “write” is supplied to clarify that what follows is the content of what is to be written.
- Revelation 2:8 tn Grk “These things says [the One]…” See the note on the phrase “this is the solemn pronouncement of” in 2:1.sn The expression This is the solemn pronouncement of reflects an OT idiom. See the note on this phrase in 2:1.
- Revelation 2:8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present between these two phrases.
- Revelation 2:9 tn Or “know your suffering.” This could refer to suffering or distress caused by persecution (see L&N 22.2).
- Revelation 2:9 tn Because of the length and complexity of this Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the phrase “I also know” to link this English sentence back to “I know” at the beginning of the verse.
- Revelation 2:9 tn The words “against you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
- Revelation 2:9 sn A synagogue was a place for Jewish prayer and worship, with recognized leadership (e.g., Mt 4:23, Mk 1:21, Lk 4:15, Jn 6:59).
- Revelation 2:10 tn Grk “is about to throw some of you,” but the force is causative in context.
- Revelation 2:10 tn Or “tempted.”
- Revelation 2:10 tn Or “experience persecution,” “will be in distress” (see L&N 22.2).
- Revelation 2:10 tn Grk “crown of life,” with the genitive “of life” (τῆς ζωῆς, tēs zōēs) functioning in apposition to “crown” (στέφανον, stephanon): “the crown that consists of life.”
- Revelation 2:11 tn Or “who is victorious”; traditionally, “who overcomes.”
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