The Letter to Laodicea

14 “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Thus says the Amen, (A) the faithful and true witness, the originator[a](B) of God’s creation: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit[b] you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’(C) and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich,(D) white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed,(E) and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline.(F) So be zealous and repent. 20 See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.(G)

21 “To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,(H) just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

22 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

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Footnotes

  1. 3:14 Or beginning, or ruler
  2. 3:16 Or spit

The Letter to the Church in Laodicea

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

‘The Amen, the witness who is faithful and true, the originator of God’s creation, says this:

15 ‘I know your actions, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 Since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, “I am rich. I have become wealthy. I don’t need anything.” Yet you don’t realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18 Therefore, I advise you to buy from me gold purified in fire so you may be rich, white clothes to wear so your shameful nakedness won’t show, and ointment to put on your eyes so you may see. 19 I correct and discipline those whom I love, so be serious and repent! 20 Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat[b] with me. 21 I will give a place to sit with me on my throne to the one who overcomes,[c] just as I have overcome[d] and have sat down with my Father on his throne.

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

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:14 Or angel
  2. Revelation 3:20 The Gk. lacks will eat
  3. Revelation 3:21 Or conquers
  4. Revelation 3:21 Or conquered
  5. Revelation 3:22 Lit. Let the one who has an ear