The Lukewarm Church

14 “And to the [a]angel of the church [b]of the Laodiceans write,

(A)‘These things says the Amen, (B)the Faithful and True Witness, (C)the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 (D)“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither [c]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, (E)‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you (F)to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and (G)white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 (H)As many as I love, I rebuke and (I)chasten.[d] Therefore be [e]zealous and repent. 20 Behold, (J)I stand at the door and knock. (K)If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, (L)I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes (M)I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 (N)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:14 Or messenger
  2. Revelation 3:14 NU, M in Laodicea
  3. Revelation 3:16 NU, M hot nor cold
  4. Revelation 3:19 discipline
  5. Revelation 3:19 eager

Message to Laodicea

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

(B)The Amen, (C)the faithful and true Witness, (D)the [a]Origin of the creation of God, says this:

15 (E)I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; (F)I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, “(G)I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,” and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, 18 I advise you to (H)buy from Me (I)gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and (J)white garments so that you may clothe yourself and (K)the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to apply to your eyes so that you may see. 19 (L)Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and (M)repent. 20 Behold, I stand (N)at the door and (O)knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, (P)I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 (Q)The one who overcomes, I will grant to him (R)to sit with Me on My throne, as (S)I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne. 22 (T)The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:14 Or Beginning; i.e., Originator

The Message to the Church in Laodicea

14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning[a] of God’s new creation:

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

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Footnotes

  1. 3:14 Or the ruler, or the source.