17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man.al He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last,am 18 and the Living One.an I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever,ao and I hold the keysap of death and Hades. 19 Therefore write what you have seen,aq what is, and what will take place after this. 20 The mysteryar of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angelsR of the seven churches, and the seven lampstandsS are the seven churches.as

THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

THE LETTER TO EPHESUS

2 “Write to the angel* of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands:at 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance,au and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not,a and you have found them to be liars.b 3 I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name,c and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.d