Apocalypsis 3

1 Et Angelo Ecclesiae Sardis scribe: Haec dicit qui habet septem Spiritus Dei, et septem stellas: Scio opera tua, quia nomen habes quod vivas, et mortuus es.

“Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Sardis [city]: ‘I am saying these things [to you. I am] the one who can give [to people] all the power of God’s Spirit (OR, in whom is the Spirit of God who has all kinds of power; OR, [who has God’s Spirit, who is symbolized as] seven spirits), and [I am the one] who has the seven stars. I know everything that you have done. You [(pl)] appear to be alive [spiritually], but [you are so weak spiritually it is as though] you are dead [MET].

2 Esto vigilans, et confirma cetera, quae moritura erant. Non enim invenio opera tua plena coram Deo meo.

[Become aware of your spiritual need as though you were] awaking [from sleep] [MET], and strengthen [yourself spiritually, because you are so useless that you are like someone who is] about to die [MET]. [You must do this] because I know that my God considers that nothing that you do is satisfactory.

3 In mente ergo habe qualiter acceperis, et audieris, et serva, et poenitentiam age. Si ergo non vigilaveris, veniam ad te tamquam fur, et nescies qua hora veniam ad te.

So then, keep remembering [God’s message, what] you accepted when you heard it. Obey it continually, and turn away from your sinful behavior. If [you do not become aware of your spiritual need and turn away from your] [MET] [sinful behavior], I will come to you [when you are not expecting me], as a thief [comes] [SIM]. You will never know at what time I will come to [judge] you.

4 Sed habes pauca nomina in Sardis, qui non inquinaverunt vestimenta sua: et ambulabunt mecum in albis, quia digni sunt.

Nevertheless, [there] in Sardis you have a few members who [have not been doing what is wrong. It is as though they] have not soiled their garments [MET]. As a result, because they are worthy [to live with me], they will live with me [and will be pure in every way] [MET], [like people who are dressed] in [pure] white [clothing].

5 Qui vicerit, sic vestietur vestimentis albis, et non delebo nomen eius de Libro vitae, et confitebor nomen eius coram Patre meo, et coram angelis eius.

Everyone who conquers [Satan] I will dress in these same white garments [MET] (OR, will be [pure in every way as though they are] dressed in these white garments), and I will never erase their names from the book [that contains the names of the people who have eternal] life. Instead, as my Father and his angels are listening, I will acknowledge that they [MTY] [belong to me].

6 Qui habet aurem, audiat quid Spiritus dicat Ecclesiis.

Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”

7 Et Angelo Philadelphiae ecclesiae scribe: Haec dicit Sanctus et Verus, qui habet clavem David: qui aperit, et nemo claudit: claudit, et nemo aperit:

“Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Philadelphia [city]: ‘I am saying these things [to you. I am] God’s Holy One, the True One. [Just like King] David had authority [MTY] [to allow people to enter the ancient city of Jerusalem, so I have the authority to allow people to enter] my kingdom. [I am] the one who opens [doors] so that no one can close them, and who closes doors so that no one can open them.

8 Scio opera tua. Ecce dedi coram te ostium apertum, quod nemo potest claudere: quia modicam habes virtutem, et servasti verbum meum, et non negasti nomen meum.

I know everything you have done. Be aware that I have opened a door before you, a door that no one can close. [I know that although] there are not [many believers] (OR, much [spiritual] strength) [MTY] [in your congregation], you have obeyed what I say, and you have not denied [that you believe in] me [MTY].

9 Ecce dabo de synagoga satanae, qui dicunt se Iudaeos esse, et non sunt, sed mentiuntur: Ecce faciam illos ut veniant, et adorent ante pedes tuos: et scient quia ego dilexi te

[I am aware that] some of your people meet together with those who [follow/worship] Satan. They claim to be Jews, but I know that they are not true Jews. They are lying. I will cause them to come to you and to bow down [humbly] at your feet and to acknowledge that I love you.

10 quoniam servasti verbum patientiae meae, et ego servabo te ab hora tentationis, quae ventura est in orbem universum tentare habitantes in terra.

Because you have paid attention to the message to endure patiently [when you suffered], I will keep you [safe from those who will try to harm you spiritually] during the period/time that is about to come. At that time [God will cause rebellious people] on the earth to suffer, in order that I can determine [whether they will turn away from their sins or not].

11 Ecce venio cito: tene quod habes, ut nemo accipiat coronam tuam.

I am coming soon. [So] continue believe firmly the [message] that you have received, in order that no one may cause you to lose the reward [that God has reserved for] you.

12 Qui vicerit, faciam illum columnam in templo Dei mei, et foras non egredietur amplius: et scribam super eum nomen Dei mei, et nomen civitatis Dei mei novae Ierusalem, quae descendit de caelo a Deo meo, et nomen meum novum.

I will make everyone who conquers [Satan secure]. They will stand in the temple of my God, [they will stand firm like] [MET] pillars, and they will remain there forever. I will mark them with the name of my God, [showing that they belong to him. I will also mark them] with the name of the city of my God, [showing that they will live there. That city is] the New Jerusalem, the city that my God will cause to descend down from heaven. [I will also mark them] with my new name, [showing that they belong to me].

13 Qui habet aurem, audiat quid Spiritus dicat Ecclesiis.

Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”

14 Et Angelo Laodiciae ecclesiae scribe: Haec dicit: Amen, testis fidelis, et verus, qui est principium creaturae Dei.

“Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Laodicea [city: ‘I] am saying these things [to you. I am] the one who (guarantees [everything that God’s promises/] that [he] will do [all that he has promised]) [MET]. I am the one who testifies [about God] reliably and accurately. I am the one who God used to create [everything].

15 Scio opera tua: quia neque frigidus es, neque calidus: utinam frigidus esses, aut calidus:

I know everything that you have done: You [neither deny that you trust in me nor love/obey me zealously/wholeheartedly. You are like water that is] neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot!

16 sed quia tepidus es, et nec frigidus, nec calidus, incipiam te evomere ex ore meo.

Because you are neither enthusiastic about me nor concerned about your lack of spiritual growth [MET], I am about to [reject] you [MET], [as if] I were spitting [lukewarm water] out of my mouth.

17 quia dicis: dives sum, et locupletatus, et nullius egeo: et nescis quia tu es miser, et miserabilis, et pauper, et caecus, et nudus.

You are saying, “[Because we have all that we need spiritually], we are [like] rich [people who] have acquired a lot of wealth. We lack nothing!” But you do not realize that you are [lacking in so many ways spiritually that you are like] [MET] people who are very wretched and pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

18 Suadeo tibi emere a me aurum ignitum probatum ut locuples fias, et vestimentis albis induaris, ut non appareat confusio nuditatis tuae, et collyrio inunge oculos tuos ut videas.

I advise you [to obtain from me all that you need spiritually, as though you were] buying from me gold that has been refined by fire {that fire has refined}, in order that you may be [truly] rich [MET] [spiritually. Let me make you righteous, as though you were] [MET] buying from me white garments in order that you might wear clothes instead of being naked and ashamed. [Let me help you to perceive spiritual things, as though] [MET] you were buying from me eye salve to put in your eyes in order that you might see.

19 Ego quos amo, arguo, et castigo. Aemulare ergo, et poenitentiam age.

[Since] I rebuke and correct all those whom I affectionately love, earnestly stop your sinful behavior.

20 Ecce sto ad ostium, et pulso: siquis audierit vocem meam, et aperuerit mihi ianuam, intrabo ad illum, et coenabo cum illo, et ipse mecum.

Be aware that [I invite each one of you to respond to me] as though [MET] I [was] standing [waiting] at [your] door and knocking. I will come to all those who hear my voice and respond to me, and I [will fellowship] with them [as friends do when they] eat together [MET].

21 Qui vicerit, dabo ei sedere mecum in throno meo: sicut et ego vici, et sedi cum patre meo in throno eius.

I will permit everyone who conquers [Satan] to sit [and rule] with me on my throne, just like I conquered [Satan] and now sit [and rule] beside my Father on his throne.

22 Qui habet aurem, audiat quid Spiritus dicat Ecclesiis.

Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”