# verses

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For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.


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For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."


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But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats <n>Or [fear what they fear]</n>; do not be frightened."


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But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,


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keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.


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For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.


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After being made alive, <n>Or [but made alive in the spirit, [19] in which also]</n> he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—


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to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,


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and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. <n>Or [but an appeal to God for a clear conscience]</n> It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,


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who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.


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Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.


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As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.


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For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.


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They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.


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For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.


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Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.


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If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.


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Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.


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But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.


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If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.


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If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.


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For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?


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So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.


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To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:


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Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;


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In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."


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Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.


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Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.


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And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.


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With the help of Silas, <n>Greek [Silvanus], a variant of [Silas]</n> whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.


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Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:


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His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.


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Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.


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For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.


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Therefore, my brothers and sisters, <n>The Greek word for [brothers and sisters] ([adelphoi]) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God's family.</n> make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,


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So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.


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And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.


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For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.


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He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."


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We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.


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Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things.


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For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.


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But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.


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In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.


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For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, <n>Greek [Tartarus]</n> putting them in chains of darkness <n>Some manuscripts [in gloomy dungeons]</n> to be held for judgment;


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if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;


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if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;


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(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—


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if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.


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This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh <n>In contexts like this, the Greek word for [flesh] ([sarx]) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verse 18.</n> and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;


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yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from <n>Many manuscripts [beings in the presence of]</n> the Lord.


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But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.


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They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. <n>Some manuscripts [in their love feasts]</n>


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With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!


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They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, <n>Greek [Bosor]</n> who loved the wages of wickedness.


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But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.


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These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.


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For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.


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They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for "people are slaves to whatever has mastered them."


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If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.


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It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.


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Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud."


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Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.


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I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.


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Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.


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They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."


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But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.


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By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.


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But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.


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The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.


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But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. <n>Some manuscripts [be burned up]</n>


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Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives


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as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. <n>Or [as you wait eagerly for the day of God to come]</n> That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.


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But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.


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So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.


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Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.


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He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.


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Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.


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But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.


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That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.


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The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.


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We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.


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This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.


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If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.


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But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all <n>Or [every]</n> sin.


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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.


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My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.


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He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.


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Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.


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But if anyone obeys his word, love for God <n>Or [word, God's love]</n> is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:


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Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.


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Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.


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Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.


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But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.


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I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.


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I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.


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Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father <n>Or [world, the Father's love]</n> is not in them.


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For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.


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Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.


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They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.


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But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. <n>Some manuscripts [and you know all things]</n>


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I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.


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Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.


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As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.


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As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.


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And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.


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If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.


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See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.


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Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, <n>Or [when it is made known]</n> we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.


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No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.


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Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.


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The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.


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No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.


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This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.


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Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.


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Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, <n>The Greek word for [brothers and sisters] ([adelphoi]) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God's family; also in verse 16.</n> if the world hates you.


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We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.


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Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.


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This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.


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If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?


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And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.


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The one who keeps God's commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.


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Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.


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This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,


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but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.


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You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.


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They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.


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We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit <n>Or [spirit]</n> of truth and the spirit of falsehood.


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Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.


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This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.


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This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.


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No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.


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And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.


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This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.


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There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.


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Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.


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Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.


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for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.


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This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.


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the <n>Late manuscripts of the Vulgate [testify in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. [8] And there are three that testify on earth: the] (not found in any Greek manuscript before the fourteenth century)</n> Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.


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We accept human testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.


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Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.


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I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.


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This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.


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If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that.


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We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.


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We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.


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The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—


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Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.


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It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.


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And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.


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And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.


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I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.


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Watch out that you do not lose what we <n>Some manuscripts [you]</n> have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.


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Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.


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If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.


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I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.


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Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.


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It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.


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Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, <n>The Greek word for [brothers and sisters] ([adelphoi]) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God's family.</n> even though they are strangers to you.


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They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.


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So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.


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Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.


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Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.


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I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.


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Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for <n>Or [by]; or [in]</n> Jesus Christ:


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Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people.


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For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about <n>Or [individuals who were marked out for condemnation]</n> long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.


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Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord <n>Some early manuscripts [Jesus]</n> at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.


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And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.


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In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.


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In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.


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But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" <n>Jude is alluding to the Jewish [Testament of Moses] (approximately the first century a.d.).</n>


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Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.


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Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.


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These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.


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They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.


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Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones


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to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." <n>From the Jewish [First Book of Enoch] (approximately the first century b.c.)</n>


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These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.


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They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires."


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But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,


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keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.


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save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. <n>The Greek manuscripts of these verses vary at several points.</n>


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To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—


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to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.


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The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,


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Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.


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John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits <n>That is, the sevenfold Spirit</n> before his throne,


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and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,


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and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.


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"Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen.


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<J>"I am the Alpha and the Omega,"</J> says the Lord God, <J>"who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."</J>


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I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.


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which said: <J>"Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."</J>


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I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,


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and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.


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In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.


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When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: <J>"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.</J>


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<J>I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.</J>


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<J>The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels <n>Or [messengers]</n> of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.</J>


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<J>"To the angel <n>Or [messenger]; also in verses 8, 12 and 18</n> of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.</J>


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<J>I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.</J>


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<J>Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.</J>


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<J>But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.</J>


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<J>Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.</J>


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<J>"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.</J>


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<J>I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.</J>


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<J>Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.</J>


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<J>Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.</J>


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<J>"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.</J>


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<J>I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.</J>


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<J>Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.</J>


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<J>Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.</J>


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<J>Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.</J>


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<J>"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.</J>


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<J>I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.</J>


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<J>Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.</J>


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<J>So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.</J>


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<J>I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.</J>


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<J>Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, 'I will not impose any other burden on you,</J>


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<J>To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—</J>


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<J>that one 'will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery'—just as I have received authority from my Father.</J>


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<J>"To the angel <n>Or [messenger]; also in verses 7 and 14</n> of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits <n>That is, the sevenfold Spirit</n> of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.</J>


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<J>Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.</J>


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<J>Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.</J>


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<J>Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.</J>


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<J>The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.</J>


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<J>"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.</J>


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<J>I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.</J>


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<J>I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.</J>


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<J>Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.</J>


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<J>The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.</J>


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<J>"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.</J>


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<J>I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!</J>


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<J>You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.</J>


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<J>I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.</J>


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<J>Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.</J>


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<J>To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.</J>


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After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, <J>"Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."</J>


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And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.


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Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.


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From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits <n>That is, the sevenfold Spirit</n> of God.


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Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.


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The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.


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Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come."


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Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,


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the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:


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"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."


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Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.


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And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"


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Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."


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Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits <n>That is, the sevenfold Spirit</n> of God sent out into all the earth.


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And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people.


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And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.


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You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign <n>Some manuscripts [they reign]</n> on the earth."


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Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.


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In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"


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Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"


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I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!"


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I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.


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Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.


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When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.


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Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "Two pounds <n>Or about 1 kilogram</n> of wheat for a day's wages, <n>Greek [a denarius]</n> and six pounds <n>Or about 3 kilograms</n> of barley for a day's wages, <n>Greek [a denarius]</n> and do not damage the oil and the wine!"


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I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.


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When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.


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They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?"


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Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.


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I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red,


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The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.


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Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.


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They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!


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After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.


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Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:


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"Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."


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From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,


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from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,


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from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.


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After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.


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And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."


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All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,


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saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"


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I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.


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Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.


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'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat.


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For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'"


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Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God's people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.


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The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God's people, went up before God from the angel's hand.


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Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.


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The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.


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The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood,


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The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water—


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the name of the star is Wormwood. <n>Wormwood is a bitter substance.</n> A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.


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The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.


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As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"


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The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.


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When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.


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And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth.


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They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.


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They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes.


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During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.


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The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces.


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They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.


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They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months.


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They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).


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The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God.


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It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."


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And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.


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The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur.


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A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths.


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The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.


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The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk.


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Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.


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He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,


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and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.


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And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."


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And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay!


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But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."


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Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."


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So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but 'in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.'"


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I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.


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I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers.


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But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.


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They are "the two olive trees" and the two lampstands, and "they stand before the Lord of the earth."


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If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.


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They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.


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Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them.


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Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified.


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For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.


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The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.


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But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.


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Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.


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At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.


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The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."


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And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,


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saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.


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The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth."


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Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.


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A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.


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Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads.


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Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.


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She gave birth to a son, a male child, who "will rule all the nations with an iron scepter." And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.


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The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.


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Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.


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The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.


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Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.


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They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.


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Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."


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When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.


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The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach.


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Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent.


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But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.


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Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.


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The dragon <n>Some manuscripts [And I]</n> stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.


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The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.


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One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.


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People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?"


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The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.


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It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.


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It was given power to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.


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All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. <n>Or [written from the creation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was slain]</n>


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"If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed <n>Some manuscripts [anyone kills]</n> with the sword, with the sword they will be killed." This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God's people.


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Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.


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It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.


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And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people.


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Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.


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The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.


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It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,


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so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.


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This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. <n>Or [is humanity's number]</n> That number is 666.


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Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.


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And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.


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And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.


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These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.


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Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.


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He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."


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A second angel followed and said, "'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,' which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."


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A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand,


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they, too, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.


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And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name."


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This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.


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Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."


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I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.


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Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."


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Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe."


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The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath.


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They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia. <n>That is, about 180 miles or about 300 kilometers</n>


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I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God's wrath is completed.


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And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God


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and sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb: "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. <n>Some manuscripts [ages]</n>


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Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."


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After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened.


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Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests.


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Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.


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And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.


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Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."


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The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.


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The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.


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Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were;


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for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."


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The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire.


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They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.


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The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony


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and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.


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The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.


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Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.


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They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.


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<J>"Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."</J>


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The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!"


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Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.


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The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.


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From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, <n>Or about 45 kilograms</n> fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.


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One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.


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With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."


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Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.


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The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.


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The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth.


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I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.


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Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.


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The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.


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They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.


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The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.


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"The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.


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They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."


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Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.


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The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.


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For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God's words are fulfilled.


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After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.


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With a mighty voice he shouted: "'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!' She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.


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For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."


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Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "'Come out of her, my people,' so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;


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Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup.


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Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, 'I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.'


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Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.


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"When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her.


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Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!'


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cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;


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cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.


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"They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.'


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The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn


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and cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!


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In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!' "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.


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When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?'


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They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!'


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"Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you."


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Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: "With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.


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The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.


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The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world's important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.


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In her was found the blood of prophets and of God's holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth."


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After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,


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for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants."


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The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!"


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Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!"


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Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.


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Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.


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Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.)


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


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At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus."


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I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.


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His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.


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The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.


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Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.


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And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God,


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so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small."


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Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army.


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But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.


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The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.


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And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.


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He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.


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He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.


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I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They <n>Or [God; I also saw those who]</n> had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.


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(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.


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Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.


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and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.


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They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.


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And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.


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Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.


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And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.


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The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.


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Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.


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I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.


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And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.


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'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."


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He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."


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He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.


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Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.


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But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."


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One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."


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And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.


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It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.


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It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.


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The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.


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The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.


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The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia <n>That is, about 1,400 miles or about 2,200 kilometers</n> in length, and as wide and high as it is long.


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The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits <n>That is, about 200 feet or about 65 meters</n> thick. <n>Or [high]</n>


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The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,


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the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. <n>The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.</n>


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The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.


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The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.


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Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.


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Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb


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down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.


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No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.


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There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.


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The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."


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<J>"Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll."</J>


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I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.


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But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!"


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Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.


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Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy."


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<J>"Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.</J>


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<J>"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.</J>


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<J>Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.</J>


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<J>"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you <n>The Greek is plural.</n> this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."</J>


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The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.


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I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.


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And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.


