I am also aware ¹  that you have persisted steadfastly, ²  endured much for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary.

In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans. ¹ 

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one can take away ¹  your crown. ² 

But you do have this going for you: ¹  You hate what the Nicolaitans ²  practice ³  – practices I also hate.

But you have a few individuals ¹  in Sardis who have not stained ²  their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed ³  in white, because they are worthy.

But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, ¹  who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block ²  before the people ³  of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. ⁴ 

“To ¹  the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: ²  “This is the solemn pronouncement of ³  the one who holds ⁴  the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a reputation ⁵  that you are alive, but ⁶  in reality ⁷  you are dead.

‘I know your deeds. (Look! I have put ¹  in front of you an open door that no one can shut.) ²  I know ³  that you have little strength, ⁴  but ⁵  you have obeyed ⁶  my word and have not denied my name.