1 And to the angel {angelos: appointed messenger} of the church in Sardis, write: These things says the One who has the seven Spirits of God {Theos, Sovereign Spirit Giver} and the seven stars: I know Your works, that You have a name that You live, and You are dead.
2 Become watchful {grēgorōn: spiritually alert}, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die, for I have not found your works fulfilled before my God {Theos, Discerning Evaluator}.
3 Therefore remember how you have received and heard, and keep it, and repent {metanoeson: decisive heart-change}. If then you do not keep watch, I {Iesous, Coming Judge} will come like a thief, and you will certainly not know at what hour I will come upon you.
4 But you have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments {himatia: symbolic clothing}, and they will walk with Me {Iesous, Faithful Rewarder} in white, because they are worthy.
5 The one who conquers will thus be clothed in white garments, and I {Iesous, Faithful Rewarder} will never blot out his name from the book of life {biblou: heavenly registry}, but I will confess his name before My Father {Pater, Heavenly Judge} and before His angels.
6 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit {pneuma, Divine Voice to Churches} says to the churches {ekklēsiai: called assemblies}.
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write: “These things says the Holy One {Christos, Sovereign Key Holder}, the True One, the One who has the key {kleis: royal authority} of David, the One who opens and no one will shut, and the One who shuts and no one opens.”
8 I {Christos, Holy and True} know your works. Behold, I have given before you an open door {thura: unhindered opportunity} which no one is able to shut, because you have little power, and you have kept My word and have not denied My name.
9 Behold, I {Iesous, Faithful Vindicator} am giving you some from the synagogue {synagoges: hostile gathering} of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not but are lying; behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.
10 Because you have kept the word of My {Christos, Faithful Guardian} endurance, I also will keep you from the hour of trial that is about to come upon the whole inhabited world {oikoumene: worldwide domain}, to test those who dwell upon the earth.
11 I {Christos, Soon-Coming Lord} am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one may take your crown {stephanos: victor’s wreath}.
12 The one who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God {Theos mou, Covenant Father}, and he shall never again go outside of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem {kaines Ierousalem: renewed holy city}, which is coming down out of heaven from my God, and My new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit {pneuma, Speaking Holy Voice} says to the churches {ekklesia: called-out assemblies}.
14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: “These things says the Amen {Amen: firm confirmation}, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God {Theos, Sovereign Creator}.”
15 I {Christos, Searching Judge} know your works {erga: observable deeds}, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I {Iesous, Righteous Judge} am about to vomit you out of My mouth {stoma: place of rejection}.
17 Because you say, “I am rich {plousios: materially prosperous}, and I have become wealthy, and I have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are the wretched one {talaiporos: spiritually destitute}, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
18 I counsel you to buy from Me {Iesous, Divine Counselor} gold refined from fire, so that you may become rich; and white garments, so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness {gymnotetos: exposed disgrace} will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
19 I {Iesous, Loving Corrector} reprove {elencho: expose wrongdoing} and discipline as many as I love. Therefore be zealous and repent {metanoeson: decisive turnaround}.
20 Behold, I {Iesous, Patient Caller} have taken My stand at the door {thyra: place of welcome} and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will enter in to him and share a meal with him, and he with Me.
21 To the one who overcomes, I {Iesous, Faithful Victor} will grant {doso: graciously bestow authority} him to sit with Me on My throne {thronos: royal seat}, just as I also overcame and took My seat with My Father {pater: Sovereign Father} on His throne.
22 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit {pneuma, Speaking Guide} says to the churches {ekklesia: assemblies of called-out ones}.