4. “But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning.
5. So remember where you were before you fell. Change your hearts and do what you did at first. If you do not change, I will come to you and will take away your lampstand from its place.
6. But there is something you do that is right: You hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I.
7. “Every person who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit from the tree of life, which is in the garden of God.
8. “Write this to the angel of the church in Smyrna:“The One who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again, says this:
9. I know your troubles and that you are poor, but really you are rich! I know the bad things 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 you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer for ten days. But be faithful, even if you have to die, and I will give you the crown of life.
11. “Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. Those who win 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, double-edged sword says this:
13. I know where you live. It is 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, my faithful witness who was killed in your city, where Satan lives.
14. “But I have a few things against you: You have some there who follow the teaching of Balaam. He taught Balak how to cause the people of Israel to sin 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.