Revelation 3 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Write this to the messenger of the gathered community in Sardis: Here is what the one who holds the seven breaths of God and the seven stars says: I know what you've been doing. You have a reputation for being alive, but you're actually dead.

Wake up! Strengthen whatever you have left that's about to die, because I've found that nothing you've done measures up in the sight of my God.

So remember what you received and heard. Hold on to it and completely change direction. If you don't wake up, I'll come like a thief, and you won't have any idea what hour I'm coming for you.

But you do have a few people in Sardis who haven't stained their clothes. They'll walk with me dressed in white, because they deserve it.

Everyone who wins this victory will be dressed in white like them. I will never erase their name from the book of life, and I will personally acknowledge their name in front of my Father and in front of his messengers.

If you have ears, pay attention to what the Breath is saying to the gathered communities.

Write this to the messenger of the gathered community in Philadelphia: Here is what the one who is set apart and true says, the one who holds David's key -- when he opens a door, nobody can shut it, and when he shuts it, nobody can open it:

I know what you've been doing. Look -- I've placed an open door in front of you that nobody can shut. I know you don't have much strength, but you've held on to my message and haven't denied who I am.

Pay attention -- I'm going to deal with those from the gathering place of the Adversary, people who claim to be Jewish but aren't -- they're lying. I'll make them come and bow down at your feet, and they'll know that I've loved you.

Because you've held on to my command to endure, I'll also keep you safe through the time of testing that's about to come on the whole world -- a test for everyone living on the earth.

I'm coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that nobody takes your crown.

Everyone who wins this victory -- I'll make them a pillar in the temple of my God, and they'll never have to leave it again. I'll write on them the name of my God, the name of my God's city -- the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from my God -- and my own new name.

If you have ears, pay attention to what the Breath is saying to the gathered communities.

Write this to the messenger of the gathered community in Laodicea: Here is what the Amen says -- the faithful and true witness, the origin of everything God created:

I know what you've been doing -- you're neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other!

But since you're lukewarm -- neither hot nor cold -- I'm about to spit you out of my mouth.

You keep saying, "I'm rich. I've made it. I don't need anything." But you don't realize that you're actually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Here's my advice: Buy gold from me -- gold refined by fire so you can actually be rich. Buy white clothes from me so you can get dressed and cover up your shameful nakedness. And buy salve from me to put on your eyes so you can actually see.

Everyone I love, I call out and train. So get serious and completely change direction.

Look -- I'm standing at the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I'll come in and we'll share a meal together -- me with them and them with me.

Everyone who wins this victory -- I'll give them the right to sit with me on my throne, just like I won and sat down with my Father on his throne.

If you have ears, pay attention to what the Breath is saying to the gathered communities.