To the Church in Laodicea

14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the (A)Amen, (B)the faithful and true witness, (C)the beginning of God's creation.

15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. (D)Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 (E)For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, (F)blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you (G)to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and (H)white garments so that you may clothe yourself and (I)the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, (J)so that you may see. 19 (K)Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and (L)knock. (M)If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, (N)I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 (O)The one who conquers, (P)I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as (Q)I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 (R)He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

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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.