The River and the Tree of Life

1Then he showed me a river of the water of life, bright as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of [†]the Lamb, 2in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve [†]kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His slaves will serve Him; 4and they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5And there will no longer be any night, and they [†]will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them, and they will reign forever and ever.

6And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His slaves the things which must soon take place.

7“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8I, John, am the one who was hearing and seeing these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9But he said to me, “[†]Do not do that! I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers the prophets and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”

The Final Message: Come

10And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11Let the one who does unrighteousness, still do unrighteousness; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still do righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”

12“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man [†]according to his work. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, THE FIRST AND THE LAST, the beginning and the end.”

14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the authority to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

16“I, Jesus, sent My angel to bear witness to you of these things [†]for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

17And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wishes receive the water of life without cost.

18I bear witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book. 19And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and [†]from the holy city, which are written in this book.

20He who bears witness to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with [†]all. Amen.