Revelation 3 - The Message (MSG)

To Sardis

3 Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with the other, speaks:

“I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone-dead.

2-3 “Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God’s work has been completed. Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God.

“If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on, oblivious to God, I’ll return when you least expect it, break into your life like a thief in the night.

4 “You still have a few followers of Jesus in Sardis who haven’t ruined themselves wallowing in the muck of the world’s ways. They’ll walk with me on parade! They’ve proved their worth!

5 “Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and his Angels.

6 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

To Philadelphia

7 Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David’s key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks:

8 “I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough.

9 “And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan—watch as I strip off their pretensions and they’re forced to acknowledge it’s you that I’ve loved.

10 “Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test.

11 “I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.

12 “I’ll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I’ll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God’s City—the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven—and my new Name.

13 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

To Laodicea

14 Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says:

15-17 “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.

18 “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.

19 “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!

20-21 “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!

22 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

You Might Also Like:

Revelation 3 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

3 And to the messenger of the assembly in Sardis write: These things saith he who is having the Seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I have known thy works, and that thou hast the name that thou dost live, and thou art dead; 2 become watching, and strengthen the rest of the things that are abo...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

3 And to the angel of the church of Sardis write thou, These things saith he, that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars. I know thy works, for thou hast a name, that thou livest, and thou art dead. 2 Be thou waking, and confirm thou other things, that were to dying [and confirm other ...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

3 Write this to the angel of the church people in Sardis: Here are the words of the one who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars. `He says, "I know what you do. People say that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! You still have a little life left in you. Make it stronger before ...
Read More

Revelation 3 - World English Bible (WEB)

3 “And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write:“He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things:“I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have f...
Read More

Revelation 3 - The Voice (VOICE)

For centuries many Jews had been scattered throughout the known world, exiled to the lands east of the Jordan River from the promised land by powerful invading nations. After Jerusalem fell in a.d. 70, even more Jews left Judea, this time crossing the Mediterranean looking for some place far from Ro...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Sardis: Coming Like a Thief3 To the angel of Messiah’s community in Sardis write: “Thus says the One having the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your deeds—you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains that was about to die. For I ha...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Message to Sardis3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.“‘I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and you are dead. 2 Awake, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not f...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Message to Sardis3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.“‘I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and you are dead. 2 Awake, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not f...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

3 And write to the angel of the Church which is at Sardis: “These things say He Who has the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars: ‘I know your works. For you have the reputation that you live, but you are dead. 2 ‘Be awake! And strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die! For I hav...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Letter to Sardis3 ‘Write this to the angel of the church in Sardis. “These are the words of the one who has the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars. I know what you have done. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen the things that remain – the thin...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Message to Sardis3 ‘And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:‘I know your works; you have a name for being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is at the point of death, for I h...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Message to Sardis3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:“I know your works; you have a name of being alive, but you are dead.(A)2 Wake up and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I ha...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

He instructs and informs the angels of the three remaining congregations, declaring again the reward of the person who overcomes. 3 And write to the messenger of the congregation of Sardis: This says he who has the Spirit of God and the seven stars: I know your works. You have a name that you live, ...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Living Translation (NLT)

The Message to the Church in Sardis3 “Write this letter to the angel[a] of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit[b] of God and the seven stars:“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Stre...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Life Version (NLV)

Words to the Church in Sardis3 “Write this to the angel of the church in the city of Sardis: ‘The One Who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: I know what you are doing. I know people think you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Make stronger what you have before it die...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Dead Church3 “And to the [a]angel of the church in Sardis write,‘These things says He who (A)has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to ...
Read More