Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands. And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.

His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters.

He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword.

His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter.

The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old the old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;

namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.

We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Working together, we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain, for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you. In a day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.