“This is the solemn pronouncement of²⁶ the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but²⁷ came to life: ^2:9‘I know the distress you are suffering²⁸ and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know²⁹ the slander against you³⁰ by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue³¹ of Satan. ^2:10Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown³² into prison so you may be tested,³³ and you will experience suffering³⁴ for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.³⁵^2:11The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers³⁶ will in no way be harmed by the second death.’

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Footnotes

24 Here καί (kai) has not been translated due to differences between Greek and English style.
25 The phrase “the following” after “write” is supplied to clarify that what follows is the content of what is to be written.
26 Grk “These things says [the One] …” See the note on the phrase “this is the solemn pronouncement of” in . The expression This is the solemn pronouncement of reflects an OT idiom. See the note on this phrase in .
27 Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present between these two phrases.
28 Or “know your suffering.” This could refer to suffering or distress caused by persecution (see L&N 22.2).
29 Because of the length and complexity of this Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the phrase “I also know” to link this English sentence back to “I know” at the beginning of the verse.
30 The words “against you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
31 A synagogue was a place for Jewish prayer and worship, with recognized leadership (e.g., Mt 4:23, Mk 1:21, Lk 4:15, Jn 6:59).
32 Grk “is about to throw some of you,” but the force is causative in context.
33 Or “tempted.”
34 Or “experience persecution,” “will be in distress” (see L&N 22.2).
35 Grk “crown of life,” with the genitive “of life” (τῆς ζωῆς, tēs zōēs) functioning in apposition to “crown” (στέφανον, stephanon): “the crown that consists of life.”
36 Or “who is victorious”; traditionally, “who overcomes.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

“ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 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 persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life: I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.

NLTNew Living Translation

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive:

“I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

“This is what the first and the last says, who was dead and came to life: ‘I know your affliction and poverty (but you are rich), and the slander of those who call themselves Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and you will experience affliction ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.’

KJV 1900King James Version

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

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