Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁴ Here is what John wrote to the people of the seven churches which are in the country of Asia Minor: May God's loving kindness bless you and give you peace. He lives now, he always has lived, and he will come again. May the seven Spirits bless you and give you peace. They stand in front of God's throne [chief chair of a king].

⁵ May Jesus Christ bless you and give you peace. What he says is true. He was the first to rise from death. And he is ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us. By his own blood [death] he has made us free from the wrong things we have done.

⁶ He has made us into kings and priests to his God and Father. Praise him! He is great and has power for ever! Yes, it is so!

⁷ Watch! He will come in the clouds. Every one will see him. Those who stuck a spear in him will also see him. All the tribes on earth will cry when they see him. That is the way it will be. Yes it will!

⁸ The Lord God says, `I am the First and the Last. I am the beginning and the ending. I live now. I always have lived, and I will come again. I have all power.'

³³ Then Pilate went back into the court house again. He called for Jesus and asked him, `Are you the King of the Jews?'

³⁴ Jesus answered, `Do you ask me because you yourself think I am, or do you ask me because others said I am?'

³⁵ Pilate answered, `Am I a Jew? Your own people and the chief priests have brought you here to me. Tell me, what have you done?'

³⁶ Jesus answered him, `I am not a king in this world. If I were, my people would fight so that I would not be given to the Jews. But I am not a king in this world.'

³⁷ So Pilate said, `So you really are a king then? ` Jesus answered, `You say that I am a king. The reason that I was born was that I should tell what is true. That is why I came into the world. Everyone who likes what is true listens to what I say.'