in the midst of
the lamp-stands one like to the Son of Man, clothed with a garment
falling down to the feet, and girded round at the breasts with a
golden girdle. (14)But his head and his hairs were white, as white
wool, as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; (15)and his feet
were like to burnished brass, as if burning in a furnace[1:15]; and
his voice was as the sound of many waters. (16)And he had in his hand
seven stars; and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword; and
his countenance was as the sun shining in his strength.

(17)And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his
right hand on me, saying: Fear not: I am the first and the last,
(18)and the living one; and I became dead, and behold I am alive
forevermore; and I have the keys of death and of the underworld.
(19)Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which
are, and the things which shall be after these; (20)the mystery of the
seven stars which thou sawest on my right hand, and the seven golden
lamp-stands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and
the seven lamp-stands are the seven churches.

II.

TO the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things says he who
holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the
seven golden lamp-stands. (2)I know thy works, and thy labor and
patience, and how thou canst not bear evil men; and thou didst try
those who say they are apostles, and are not, and didst find them
liars; (3)and thou hast patience, and didst bear for my name's sake,
and hast not been weary.

(4)But I have this against thee, that thou hast left thy first love.
(5)Remember therefore from whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do
the first works; but if not, I am coming to thee, and will remove thy
lamp-stand out of its place, if thou repent not.

(6)But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans,
which I also hate.

(7)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches. To him that overcomes, to him I will give to eat of the tree
of life, which is in the paradise of God.

(8)And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things says
the first and the last, who became dead, and lived again. (9)I know
thy affliction, and poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of
those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of
Satan. (10)Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer. Behol