"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "He who is and He who was and He who is to come, The Almighty."

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as [if] dead. But He put His right hand on me, saying, "Do not fear; I am the First and the Last.

Write therefore the things which you saw, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He that holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

Now when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and after these things you shall write."

And I heard a voice out of heaven saying, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now [on],' "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow with them."

Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."

Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."

And now write the words of this song, and teach it to the children of Israel, and you shall put it into their mouth, that this song may witness for Me among the children of Israel to their face.

Now then sit down and write these words on a tablet, and in a book; for these things shall be for [many long] days, even forever.

Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book.

And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision, and that plainly on a tablet, that he that reads it may run.

John, to the seven churches [which are] in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is coming, and from the seven-fold Spirit who is before His throne,

"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He that holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who became dead, and came to life:

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:

"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He that has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name, that you live, and you are dead.

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says the Holy [One], the True [One], " He who has the key of David, He that opens and no man shuts, except He that opens, and no man shall open."

"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write, 'These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God:

And he arrived in Ephesus, and he left those [two] there; but he, having entered into the synagogue, reasoned with the Jews.

but bid farewell to them saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast which is in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing." And he put out to sea from Ephesus.

And it came about, while Apollos was in Corinth, that Paul, having gone through the interior regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples

And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."

And when they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Now all the men were about twelve.

But when some became hardened and disbelieving, speaking evil against the Way before the multitude, he withdrew from them and separated the disciples, each day debating in the school of a certain Tyrannus.

And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,

Then some of the wandering Jews, exorcists, attempted to name the name of the Lord Jesus over those having the evil spirits, saying, "We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."

But the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with; but who are you?"

Now this became known to all both Jews and Greeks who were dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and they were praising the name of the Lord Jesus.

And many of those who were practicing magic brought together their books and burned them up before everyone. And they counted up the prices of them, and [found it to be] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver.

When these things were fulfilled, Paul resolved in his spirit, having gone through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."

Now there arose during that time a serious disturbance concerning the Way.

whom he gathered, with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know out of this trade is our prosperity.

And not only is this business of ours in danger to come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and also her magnificence, about to be destroyed, she whom all Asia and the world worship."

And the whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one purpose into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, traveling companions of Paul.

And also some of the officials of Asia, being friends with him, sent word to him and urged him not to present himself in the theater.

And from the crowd they brought forward Alexander, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and desired to make a defense to the people.

And having quieted the crowd, the city clerk said: "Men of Ephesus, for what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the [image] fallen from heaven?

For you brought these men, neither temple thieves nor blasphemers of your goddess.

But if you are wanting to know anything about other [matters], it shall be determined by the lawful assembly.

And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Now from Miletus, having sent to Ephesus, he summoned the elders of the church.

If, in the manner of men, I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what is the benefit to me? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"

But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

Just as I urged you to remain in Ephesus as I traveled into Macedonia, that you should command certain [people] not to teach differently,

Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church in his house.

And whenever this letter is read before you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the [one] from Laodicea.