8. “Write this to the angel of the church in Smyrna:“The One who is the First and the Last says this to you. He is the One who died and came to life again.
9. I know your troubles. I know that you are poor, but really you are rich! I know the bad things that some people say about you. They say they are Jews, but they are not true Jews. They are a synagogue that belongs to Satan.
10. Do not be afraid of what will happen to you. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But be faithful, even if you have to die. If you are faithful, I will give you the crown of life.
11. “Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. He who wins the victory will not be hurt by the second death.
12. “Write this to the angel of the church in Pergamum:“The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this to you.
13. I know where you live. You live where Satan has his throne. But you are true to me. You did not refuse to tell about your faith in me even during the time of Antipas. Antipas was my faithful witness who was killed in your city. Your city is where Satan lives.
14. “But I have a few things against you: You have some there who follow the teaching of Balaam. Balaam taught Balak how to cause the people of Israel to sin. They sinned by eating food offered to idols and by taking part in sexual sins.
15. You also have some who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16. So change your hearts and lives! If you do not, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword that comes out of my mouth.
17. “Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!“I will give the hidden manna to everyone who wins the victory. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it. No one knows this new name except the one who receives it.
18. “Write this to the angel of the church in Thyatira:“The Son of God is saying these things. He is the One who has eyes that blaze like fire and feet like shining bronze. He says this to you:
19. I know what you do. I know about your love, your faith, your service, and your patience. I know that you are doing more now than you did at first.
20. But I have this against you: You let that woman Jezebel do what she wants. She says that she is a prophetess. But she is leading my servants away with her teaching. Jezebel leads them to take part in sexual sins and to eat food that is offered to idols.