The first New Testament printed in English

by Unknown

Ihon your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience which is in Iesu Christ, was in the isle of Pathmos for the word of God, and for the witnessing of Iesu Christ. I was in the spirit on a son day, and heard behind me, a great voice, as it had been of a trompe saying: I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. That thou seest write in a book, and send it unto the congregations which are in Asia, unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thiatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicia.

And I turned back to see the voice that spake to me. And when I was turned: I saw vij. golden candlesticks. and in the midst of the candlesticks, one like unto the son of man clothed with a linen garment down to the ground, and gird about the paps with a golden girdle. His head, and his hairs were white, as white wool, and as snow: and his eyes were as a flame of fire: and his feet like unto brass, as though they brent in a furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand vij. stars. And out of his mouth went a two edged sword. And his face shone even as the sun in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet, even as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me: fear not. I am the first and the last, and am alive, and was dead. And behold I am alive for evermore, and have the keys of hell and of death. Write therefore the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be fulfilled hereafter: and the mystery of the vij. stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the vij. golden candlesticks. The vij. stars are the angels of the vij. congregations: And the vij. candlesticks which thou sawest are the vij. congregations.

The second Chapter.

Unto the angel of the congregation of Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the vij. stars in his right hand, and walketh in the midst of the vij. golden candlesticks. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not forbear them which are evil: and examinedst them which say they are apostles, and are not: and hast found them liars. And hast suffered, and hast patience: and for my name's sake hast laboured and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, for thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works. Or else I will come unto thee shortly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast because thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which deeds I also hate. Let him that hath ears hear, what the spirit saith unto the congregations. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst {myddes} of the paradise of God.

And unto the Angel of the congregation of Smyrna write: These things saith he that is first, and the last, which was dead and is alive. I know thy works and tribulation and poverty, but thou art rich: And I know the blasphemy of them which call themselves jewes and are not: but are the congregation of sathan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast of you into prison, to tempt you, and ye shall have tribulation x. days. Be faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Let him that hath ears hear, what the spirit saith to the congregations: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

And to the angel of the congregation in Pergamos write: This saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges. I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Sathan's seat is, and thou keepest my name and hast not denied my faith. And in my days Antipas was a faithful witness of mine, which was slain among you where sathan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee: that thou hast there, they that maintain, the doctrine of Balaam which taught in Balak, to put occasion of sin before the children of Israhell, that they should eat of meat dedicated unto idols, and to commit fornication. Even so hast thou them that maintain the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. But repent or else I will come to thee shortly and will fight against them with the sword of my mought. Let him that hath ears hear what the spirit sayth unto the congregations: To him that overcometh will I give to eat Manna that is hid, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it.

And unto the angel of the congregation of Thiatira write: This sayth the son of God, which hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, whose feet are like brass: I know thy works and thy love, service, and faight, and thy patience, and thy deeds, which are more at the last than at the first. Not withstanding I have a few things against thee, that thou sufferest that woman Iesabell, which called herself a prophetess to teach and to deceive my servants, to make them commit fornication, and to eat meats offered up unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication and she repented not. Behold I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit fornication with her into great adversity, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death. And all the congregations shall know that I am he which searches the reins and hearts. And I will give unto everyone of you according to your works.

Unto you I say, and unto other of them of Thiatira as many as have not this learning, and which have not known the deepness of Satan (as they say) I will put upon you none other burden, but that which you have already. Hold fast till I come, and whosoever overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and as the vessels of a potter, shall he break them to shivers. Even as I received of my father. And I will give him the morning star. Let him that hath ears hear what the spirit says to the congregations.

The .iij. Chapter.

And write unto the angel of the congregation of Sardis: this sayth he that hath the spirit of God, and the vij. stars. I know thy works, thou hast a name that you livest, and thou are dead. Be awake and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If you shalt not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white array, and I will not put out his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my father, and before his angels. Let him that hath ears hear what the spirit sayth unto the congregations.