Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

To the angel of the church in Ephesus, Jesus says:

I know your perseverance and labor of love. You've tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and they proved false. You have endured and persevered, laboring for my name's sake without growing weary. I commend you for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

But remember from where you have fallen, and repent. Do again the first works, or I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: to him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in paradise of God.

The angel of the church in Smyrna writes:

I know your works and the hardships you endure, and the poverty that afflicts you. But I see that you are rich in spirit, and I am aware of the blasphemy perpetrated by those who claim to be Jews but are actually a synagogue of Satan. Don't be afraid of the things you're about to suffer. Behold, the devil will throw some of you into prison for ten days to test your faithfulness; if you remain faithful even in death, I will give you a crown of life.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: he who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.

To the angel of the church in Pergamos:

These things says he who has the sharp sword with two edges. I know your works and where you dwell, even where Satan has his throne. You hold fast my name and have not denied my faith, even in the days when Antipas was my faithful martyr who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to set up stumblingblocks before the Israelites, to eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication. So you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which I abhor.

Repent; or else I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: I will give to the one who overcomes the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it, which no one knows except the person who receives it.

The angel of the church in Thyatira writes:

These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like burnished brass. I know your works: charity, service, faith, and patience. Your latter works are greater than the first. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against you because you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols.

I gave her time to repent of her immorality, but she did not repent. I will cast her into a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches hearts and minds: and I will give unto each of you according to your deeds.

But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not accepted this doctrine and do not know the depths of Satan, I will put upon you no other burden. But hold fast to what you have until I come. And he who overcomes and keeps my works to the end, I will give authority over the nations.

He will rule them with an iron rod; as vessels of a potter they shall be broken to shivers: even as I received from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.