The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
13 And in the center, the Son of Man, in a robe and gold breastplate,
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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.
14 hair a blizzard of white, Eyes pouring fire-blaze,
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The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.
15 both feet furnace-fired bronze, His voice a cataract,
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His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
16 right hand holding the Seven Stars, His mouth a sharp-biting sword, his face a perigee sun.
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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.
17 I saw this and fainted dead at his feet. His right hand pulled me upright, his voice reassured me:
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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: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
18 I'm Alive. I died, but I came to life, and my life is now forever. See these keys in my hand? They open and lock Death's doors, they open and lock Hell's gates.
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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.
19 Now write down everything you see: things that are, things about to be.
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“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
20 The Seven Stars you saw in my right hand and the seven-branched gold menorah - do you want to know what's behind them? The Seven Stars are the Angels of the seven churches; the menorah's seven branches are the seven churches."
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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 angelsof the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.