Rev 3 | HCSB | STEP | “Write to the angel of the church in Sardis : “The One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says : I know your works ; you have a reputation for being alive , but you are dead .

Revelation of John 3

The Letter to Sardis

1 “Write to the angel of the church in Sardis:“The One who has the seven spirits of God ^a and the seven stars says: I know your works; you have a reputation ^{▼▼Lit have a name} for being alive, but you are dead. 2 Be alert and strengthen ^{▼▼Other mss read guard} what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come ^{▼▼Other mss add upon you} like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you. ^{▼▼Or upon you} 4 But you have a few people ^{▼▼Lit few names} in Sardis who have not defiled ^{▼▼Or soiled} their clothes, and they will walk with Me in white, because they are worthy. 5 In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life ^h but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels.

6 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

The Letter to Philadelphia

7 “Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia:“The Holy One, the True One, the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and closes and no one opens ⁱ says: 8 I know your works. Because you have limited strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, look, I have placed before you an open door that no one is able to close. 9 Take note! I will make those from the ^{▼▼synagogue(s): A place where the Jewish people met for prayer, worship and teaching of the Scriptures}synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying – note this – I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. ^k 10 Because you have kept My command to endure, ^{▼▼Lit My word of endurance} I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, ^m so that no one takes your crown. 12 The victor: I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God – the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God – and My new name. ⁿ

13 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

The Letter to Laodicea

14 “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea:“The ^{▼▼Amen: The transliteration of a Hebrew word signifying that something is certain, valid, truthful, or faithful; it is often used at the end of biblical songs, hymns, and prayers.}Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator ^{▼▼Or Ruler, or Source, or Beginning
,} ^q of God’s creation says: 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 ^{▼▼Or spit} you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t know 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, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed ^{▼▼Or be zealous} and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. 21 The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”