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"8. And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write: These things saith the First and the Last who was dead and is alive.

9. I know thy tribulation and thy poverty, but thou art rich: and thou art blasphemed by them that say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death: and I will give thee the crown of life.

11. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches. He that shall overcome, shall not be hurt by the second death."

8. Smyrna is an important city on the bay of Smyrna, thirty-five miles north of Ephesus. At present it is a mandatory of Greece and numbers 250,000 inhabitants. Christianity was brought to Smyrna at a very early date. The Jews of this city were especially hostile to the Gospel. The "angel" of Smyrna was most probably St. John's own disciple, St. Polycarp.

9. The bishop is praised" for his patience in suffering