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3 <1> "Write this to the angel of the church[42] in Sardis:
"Here is a message from the one who has the seven spirits and the seven stars.
"I know what you do. People say that you are alive, but really you are dead. <2> Wake up! Make yourselves stronger before what little strength you have left is completely gone. I find that what you do is not good enough for my God. <3> So don't forget what you have received and heard. Obey it. Change your hearts and lives! You must wake up, or I will come to you and surprise you like a thief. You will not know when I will come.
<4> "But you have a few people in your group there in Sardis who have kept themselves clean. They will walk with me. They will wear white clothes, because they are worthy. <5> Everyone who wins the victory will be dressed in white clothes like them. I will not remove their names from the book of life. I will say that they belong to me before my Father and before his angels. <6> Everyone who hears this should listen to what the Spirit[43] says to the churches.
<7> "Write this to the angel of the church[44] in Philadelphia:
"Here is a message from the one who is holy and true, the one who holds the key of David.[45] When he opens something, it cannot be closed. And when he closes something, it cannot be opened.
<8> "I know what you do. I have put before you an open door that no one can close. I know you are weak, but you have followed my teaching. You were not afraid to speak my name. <9> Listen! There is a group[46] that belongs to Satan.[47] They say they are Jews, but they are liars. They are not true Jews. I will make them come before you and bow at your feet. They will know that you are the people I have loved. <10> You followed my command to endure patiently. So I will keep you from the time of trouble that will come to the world-a time that will test everyone living on earth.
<11> "I am coming soon. Hold on to the faith you have, so that no one can take away your crown.[48] <12> Those who win the victory will be pillars[49] in the temple of my God. I will make that happen for them. They will never again have to leave God's temple. I will write the name of my God on them and the name of the city of my God on them. That city is the new Jerusalem.[50] It is coming down out of heaven from my God. I will also write my new name on them. <13> Everyone who hears this should listen to what the Spirit[51] says to the churches.
<14> "Write this to the angel of the church[52] in Laodicea:
"Here is a message from the Amen,[53] the faithful and true witness, the ruler of all that God has made.
<15> "I know what you do. You are not hot or cold. I wish that you were hot or cold! <16> But you are only warm-not hot, not cold. So I am ready to spit you out of my mouth. <17> You say you are rich. You think you have become wealthy and don't need anything. But you don't know that you are really miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. <18> I advise you to buy gold from me-gold made pure in fire. Then you will be rich. I tell you this: Buy clothes that are white. Then you will be able to cover your shameful nakedness. I also tell you to buy medicine to put on your eyes. Then you will be able to see.
<19> "I correct and punish the people I love. So show that nothing is more important to you than living right. Change your hearts and lives. <20> Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me.
<21> "I will let everyone who wins the victory sit with me on my throne. It was the same with me. I won the victory and sat down with my Father on his throne. <22> Everyone who hears this should listen to what the Spirit[54] says to the churches."
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.