New Testament Lesson

Rev. 2:1-7 (NRSV)

'To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven
golden lampstands: 2'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those
who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. 3I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of
my name, and that you have not grown weary. 4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5Remember then from
what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
6Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the
churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.