1The angel2683 showed me a2684 river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2in the middle of its great street. On each side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations, 3and the curse will be abolished. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his bondservants offer him divine service.2685 4They will see his face, and his Name will be on their foreheads. 5And there will be night no more, and they need no lamp, nor light of the sun, for the Lord God will illuminate them, and they will reign unto ages of ages.
6The angel2686 said to me, “These words are faithful and true! The Lord God of the spirits2687 of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.”
Epilogue
7”And behold, I come quickly! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
8Now I, John, am the one2688 who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to express adoration2689 at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. 9He said to me, “See that you do not do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brethren the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Express adoration2690 to God!” 10He also said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11Let the evildoer still do evil, and the unclean still be unclean, and the righteous still do right, and the holy be holy still.”
12”Behold, I come quickly! My reward is with me, to repay each one according to his work. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End!2691 14Blessed are those who observe2692 his commandments,2693 so that they may have access2694 to the tree of life and may enter into the city through the gates. 15Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the Churches. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright Morning Star!”2695
17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let everyone who hears say, “Come!” Let everyone who is thirsty come; let anyone who wishes take the water of life freely.2696
18I bear witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to these things, God will2697 add to him the 2698plagues which are written in this book. 19If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will2699 take away his part from the tree of life,2700 and from the holy city, which are written in this book. 20He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I come quickly!”
Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus! 21The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints.2701 Amen.
APPENDICES
- Greek “he”
- TR adds “pure”
- Greek latreu,sousin
- Greek “he”
- Sometimes understood “as individual inspirations”—TR reads “holy” instead of “spirits of the”
- TR omits “am the one who” and reverses the word order of “heard and saw”
- See 19:10 and note
- proskuneo can also be translated “worship (in the broad sense),” “venerate,” “fall down in reverence,” “do obeisance” (see NT introduction regarding proskuneo)
- TR reverses the order of “the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End”
- Or “keep”
- CT reads “wash their robes” instead of “do his commandments.”
- Or “right to”
- Compare Sirach 50:6; probably a symbol of Christ as High Priest
- Or “as a gift”
- MT reads “may God” instead of “God will”
- Some manuscripts add “seven” before plagues.
- MT reads “may God” instead of “God will”
- TR reads “book of life” instead of “tree of life”
- CT reads “the Lord Jesus [be] with all”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
