“Write down
what you have seen
—both the things that are now happening
and the things
that the future will bring

This is the meaning
of the mystery
of the seven stars
you saw in my right hand
and the seven gold lampstands

The seven stars
are the angels
of the seven churches,
and the seven lampstands
are the seven churches.

“Write this letter
to the angel of the church in Smyrna.
This is the message
from the one
who is the First
and the Last,
who was dead
but is now alive:

“I know about your suffering
and your poverty
—but you are rich!
I know the blasphemy
of those opposing you.
They say they are Jews,
but they are not,
because their synagogue
belongs to Satan.

“Write this letter
to the angel of the church in Smyrna.
This is the message
from the one
who is the First
and the Last,
who was dead
but is now alive:

Don’t be afraid
of what you are about to suffer.
The devil will throw
some of you into prison
to test you.
You will suffer for ten days.
But if you remain faithful
even when facing death,
I will give you the crown of life.

“Write this letter
to the angel of the church in Smyrna.
This is the message
from the one
who is the First
and the Last,
who was dead
but is now alive:

“Anyone with ears
to hear must listen
to the Spirit and understand
what he is saying
to the churches.
Whoever is victorious
will not be harmed
by the second death.