MODERN LITERAL VERSION

2:1 Write to the messenger of the congregation* in Ephesus:
He who is holding-fast the seven stars in his right hand and who is walking in the middle of the seven golden lamp-stands says these things:
2:2 I know your works and your labor and endurance and that you are not able to bear evil men and you tested those who are calling themselves to be apostles and are not and found them false;
2:3 and you have endurance and did bear because of my name and have not fatigued.
2:4 But I have this against you; that you left your first love*.
2:5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen and repent and do the first works; otherwise I am coming to you shortly and will move your lamp-stand out of its place, if you do not repent.
2:6 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the congregations*. To him who is overcoming, I will give to him to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the middle of the Paradise of God.

2:8 And write to the messenger of the congregation* in Smyrna:
The first and the last, who became dead and lived again says these things:
2:9 I know your works, your affliction and your poverty (but you are rich) and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and they are not, but are a synagogue of the Adversary.
2:10 Let no one fear the things which you are about to suffer. Behold indeed, the Devil is about to cast some from you* into prison, in order that you* may be tested and you* will have affliction ten days. Become faithful to death and I will give you the crown of life.
2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the congregations*. He who is overcoming may never* be hurt from the second death.

2:12 And write to the messenger of the congregation* in Pergamus:
He who has the sharp two edged sword says these things:
2:13 I know your works and where you dwell– where the Adversary's throne is, and you are holding-fast my name and did not deny my faith in the days of Antipas, my witness, my faithful one, who was killed before you*, where the Adversary is dwelling.
2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some holding-fast the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast an offense before the sons of Israel, to eat idol-sacrifices and to fornicate.
2:15 So you also have some holding-fast the similar teaching of the Nicolaitans.
2:16 Therefore repent; otherwise I am coming to you shortly and make war with them with the sword of my mouth.
2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the congregations*. To him who is overcoming, I will give to him to eat from the hidden manna and I will give him a white voting-pebble and a new name written upon the voting-pebble, which no one knows except he who is receiving it.

2:18 And write to the messenger of the congregation* in Thyatira:
The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire and his feet are similar to polished brass says these things:
2:19 I know your works and love* and faith and service and endurance and that your last works are more-than the first.
2:20 But I have this against you, that you are allowing {F} your woman Jezebel, she who calls herself a prophetess, and she who is teaching and misleading my bondservants to fornicate and to eat idol-sacrifices.
2:21 And I gave her time, in order that she might repent, and she is not willing to repent from her fornication.
2:22 Behold, I cast her onto a bed and those who are committing adultery with her into great affliction, if they do not repent from her works.
2:23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the congregations* will know that I am he who is searching the brains and hearts and I will give to each one of you* according to your* works.
2:24 But I say to you* and to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as are not holding to this teaching, who did not know the deep things of the Adversary, as they are saying. I cast upon you* no other burden.
2:25 However hold-fast to what you* have, till whenever I have come.
2:26 And he who is overcoming and he who is keeping my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.
2:27 And he will shepherd them with an iron rod, as the vessels of the potter are crushed; as I have also received of my Father;
2:28 and I will give him the morning star.
2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the congregations*.
{Footnotes: Re 2:20- Or maybe: your wife Jezebel.}