The Vision of the River of the Water of Life

1Then the angela showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal. It was flowing from the throne of God and the lamb. 2Between the city street and the river, the tree of life was visible from each side. It produced twelve kinds of fruit, each month having its own fruit. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and the lamb will be in the city.b His servants will worship him 4and see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5There will be no more night, and they will not need any light from lamps or the sun because the Lord God will shine on them. They will rule forever and ever.

He is Coming Soon

6He told me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord God of the spirits and of the prophets has sent his messengerc to show his servants the things that must happen soon.”

7“See! I am coming soon! How blessed is the person who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book!”

The Vision of an Exhortation to Worship God

8I, John, heard and saw these things. When I had heard and seen them, I bowed down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing me these things. 9But he told me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words in this book. Worship God!”

10Then he told me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy in this book, because the time is near. 11Let the one who does what is evil continue to do what is evil. Let the filthy person continue to be filthy. Let the righteous person continue to do what is right. And let the holy person continue to be holy.”

Concluding Benediction

12“See! I am coming soon! My reward is with me to repay everyone according to his behavior. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.d

14“How blessed are those who wash their robese so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city! 15Outside are dogs, sorcerers, immoral people, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give this testimony to you for the churches. I am the root and descendent of David, the bright morning star.”

Concluding Invitation

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”

Let everyone who hears this say, “Come!”

Let everyone who is thirsty come!

Let anyone who wants the water of life take it as a gift!

Concluding Warning

18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy in this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will strike him with the plagues that are written in this book. 19If anyone takes away any words from the book of this prophecy, God will take away his portion of the tree of life and the holy city that are described in this book.

Epilogue

20The one who is testifying to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

21May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints.

Amen.f