The Letter to Sardis

“Write to the angel[a] of the church in Sardis: Thus says the one who has the seven spirits of God(A) and the seven stars:(B) I know your works; (C) you have a reputation[b] for being alive, but you are dead.(D) Be alert(E) and strengthen[c] what remains, which is about to die,[d] for I have not found your works complete before my God. Remember, then, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not alert, I will come[e] like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come upon you.(F) But you have a few people[f] in Sardis who have not defiled[g] their clothes,(G) and they will walk with me in white, because they are worthy.

“In the same way, the one who conquers(H) will be dressed in white clothes,(I) and I will never erase his name from the book of life(J) but will acknowledge his name before my Father and before his angels.(K)

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen(L) to what the Spirit says(M) to the churches.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:1 Or messenger, also in vv. 7,14
  2. 3:1 Or have a name
  3. 3:2 Other mss read guard
  4. 3:2 Or strengthen who remain, who are about to die
  5. 3:3 Other mss add upon you
  6. 3:4 Lit few names
  7. 3:4 Or soiled

The Letter to the Church in Sardis

“To the messenger[a] of the church in Sardis, write:

‘The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this:

‘I know what you’ve been doing. You are known for being alive, but you are dead. Be alert, and strengthen the things that are left, which are about to die. I note that your actions are incomplete before my God. So remember what you received and heard. Obey it, and repent. If you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you won’t know the time when I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me in white clothes because they are worthy. The person who overcomes[b] in this way will wear white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the Book of Life. I will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and his angels.

‘Let everyone[c] listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:1 Or angel
  2. Revelation 3:5 Or conquers
  3. Revelation 3:6 Lit. Let the one who has an ear