Here are the words of Jesus, who holds the seven stars in his right hand. He also walks among the seven golden lampstands. He says,

2 ‘I know what you are doing. You work long and hard. I know you can’t put up with evil people. You have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not. You have found out that they are liars. 3 You have been faithful and have put up with a lot of trouble because of me. You have not given up.

4 ‘But here is something I hold against you. You have turned away from the love you had at first. 5 Think about how far you have fallen! Turn away from your sins. Do the things you did at first. If you don’t, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you do have this in your favor. You hate the way the Nicolaitans act. I hate it too.

7 ‘Whoever has ears should listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches. Here is what I will do for anyone who has victory over sin. I will let that person eat from the tree of life in God’s paradise.’