American Standard Version of 1901
Versliste
To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden {Greek: lampstands.}candlesticks:
And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who {Greek: became.}was dead, and lived again:
And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:
And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:
See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. {Many authorities, some ancient insert verse 11 For the Son of man came to save that which was lost. See Luke 19:10.}
and the next unto him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom),
All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except those to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel.
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden {Greek: lampstands.}candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven {Greek: lampstands.}candlesticks are seven churches.
neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.
For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.
of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the {Or, presbyters}elders of the church.
Paul and Timothy, {Greek: bondservants.}servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the {Or, overseers}bishops and deacons:
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;
neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will visit upon you all your iniquities.
slay {Hebrew: to destruction.}utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark: and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the {Or, elders}old men that were before the house.
For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the {Greek: good tidings. See Matthew 4:23 margin.}gospel of God?
Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you {Or, overseers}bishops, to feed the church of {Some ancient authorities, including the two oldest manuscripts read God.}the Lord which he {Greek: acquired.}purchased with his own blood.
I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.
And now I commend you to {Some ancient authorities read the Lord.}God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not {Or, to doubtful disputations}for decision of scruples.
the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden {Greek: lampstands.}candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven {Greek: lampstands.}candlesticks are seven churches.
The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the {Or, matter}demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the lowest of men.
this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their {Greek: manner of life.}life, imitate their faith.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with {Greek: groaning.}grief: for this were unprofitable for you.
make you perfect in every good {Many ancient authorities read work.}thing to do his will, working in {Many ancient authorities read you.}us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory {Greek: unto the ages of the ages.}for ever and ever. Amen.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?
Thus saith Jehovah, who giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, who {Or, stilleth the sea, when &c. See Isaiah 51:15.}stirreth up the sea, so that the waves thereof roar; Jehovah of hosts is his name:
holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.
But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
I rejoice at thy word,As one that findeth great spoil.