Jesus

21God called you to live this way. Christ suffered for you too. He showed you how. Now walk the way he walked.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22He never did anything wrong. He never told a lie.

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23People said cruel things to him. He did not say cruel things back. When they hurt him, he did not threaten them. He trusted God, who judges fairly.

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24He carried our sins in his own body on the cross. Now we can stop living for sin and live the right way. His wounds made you well.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

NoteThe Bible sometimes calls the cross "the tree" because it was made of wood. "Stripes" are the marks left on skin by a whip.

25You were like sheep that wandered away. Now you have come back to Jesus. He is your shepherd and he watches over you.

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

NoteA shepherd stayed with sheep all day and all night. He kept them safe and found them when they wandered off. The King James also calls Jesus a "Bishop," which means someone who watches over people and takes care of them.

9I am John, your brother. I share the hard times with you. I also share God's kingdom and the patient waiting that comes from belonging to Jesus. I was on an island called Patmos. I was there because I told God's word and the truth about Jesus.

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Note"Tribulation" is an old word for hard times and trouble. Patmos is a small rocky island in the sea. John was sent there because he talked about Jesus. Here "patience" means keeping going bravely when things are hard.

10On the Lord's day, God's Spirit took hold of me. I heard a loud voice behind me. It sounded like a trumpet, a loud horn.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

NoteThe Lord's day was Sunday. Christians met together on that day. To be "in the Spirit" means God showed John special things. It was like having a dream while wide awake.

11The voice said, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. Write down what you see in a book. Send it to the seven churches in Asia. Send it to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

NoteThese seven towns were all fairly close to each other. They were in the land we now call Turkey. A messenger would carry the letter from one town to the next. A book back then was a scroll, a long rolled-up sheet.

12I turned around to see the voice that was talking to me. When I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands.

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

NoteA candlestick here is a lampstand. It is a tall stand that holds a lamp. The lamps burned oil, because there were no light switches.

13Someone stood in the middle of the seven lampstands. He looked like the Son of man. He wore a long robe that went down to his feet. A gold band went around his chest.

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Note"Son of man" was a name Jesus used for himself. A "girdle" was a wide belt or sash, not underwear. "Paps" is an old word for the chest. Important people wore sashes made of gold thread.

14His head and his hair were white like wool. They were as white as snow. His eyes were like flames of fire.

His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

NoteWool is the soft, thick hair that grows on sheep. Clean wool is very white.

15His feet shone like fine brass heated in a very hot fire. His voice sounded like rushing water.

And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

NoteBrass is a shiny yellow metal. A very hot fire makes it glow. "The sound of many waters" means a roar like a big waterfall.

16He held seven stars in his right hand. A sharp sword with two edges came out of his mouth. His face shone like the sun at its brightest.

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

NoteA two-edged sword is sharp on both sides. "Countenance" is an old word for a person's face. "The sun in his strength" means the sun at noon, at its brightest.

17When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He put his right hand on me. He said, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last."

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Note"Fear not" is an old way to say "do not be afraid." John was so amazed that he fell down and lay still.

18"I am the one who is alive. I was dead. But look, I am alive forever and ever! Amen. I hold the keys to death and to the place of the dead."

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

NoteThe King James says "hell" here. The old word means the place where dead people go. It does not mean a place of burning. Holding the keys means being the one in charge. The one with the keys can open the door or shut it.