2:8–9: “And for the messenger of the church in Smyrna write [as follows]: These things says the first and the last, who became dead and came alive: 9 I know your affliction [the pressure of persecution] and poverty [a result of persecution]. Nevertheless you’re rich! And [I know] the slander [that comes] from those who allege themselves to be Jews. And they’re not [Jews]; rather, [they’re] Satan’s synagogue.” For the introduction see the comments