The Message to Laodicea

¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin^[a] of God’s creation:^(A)

¹⁵ “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.’ You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.^{(B) 18} Therefore I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white robes to clothe yourself and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.^{(C) 19} I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.^{(D) 20} Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me.^{(E) 21} To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.^{(F) 22} Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”

2 For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you and for those in Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face. ² I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ,^{[a](A) 3} in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^{(B) 4} I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your orderly conduct and the firmness of your faith in Christ.^(C)

¹³ For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.^{(A) 15} Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her^[a] house.^{(B) 16} And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea.