The Message to the Church in Thyatira

18“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:

19“I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.

20“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. 21I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.

22“Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering,*2:22 Greek a bed. and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. 23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.

24“But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you 25except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end,

To them I will give authority over all the nations.

27They will rule the nations with an iron rod

and smash them like clay pots.*2:26-27 Ps 2:8-9 (Greek version).

28They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!

29“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

Revelation 3

The Message to the Church in Sardis

1“Write this letter to the angel*3:1a Or the messenger; also in 3:7, 14. of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit*3:1b Greek the seven spirits. of God and the seven stars:

“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.

4“Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

6“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

Psalm 130

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1From the depths of despair, O Lord,

I call for your help.

2Hear my cry, O Lord.

Pay attention to my prayer.

3Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,

who, O Lord, could ever survive?

4But you offer forgiveness,

that we might learn to fear you.

5I am counting on the Lord;

yes, I am counting on him.

I have put my hope in his word.

6I long for the Lord

more than sentries long for the dawn,

yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

7O Israel, hope in the Lord;

for with the Lord there is unfailing love.

His redemption overflows.

8He himself will redeem Israel

from every kind of sin.