Revelation 22

1 The angel showed me the river of water [that causes people who drink from it] to live [forever]. The water was sparkling and clear like crystal. The river was flowing out from the throne where God and the [one who is like a] lamb [were sitting].

He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,

2 It flowed down through the middle of the [main] street of the city. On each side of the river were trees [bearing fruit that causes people who eat it] to live forever. [The trees] bear twelve [crops] (OR, twelve [kinds]) of fruit; [they] produce one crop each month. The [people of the] nations [MTY] [use] the leaves of these trees [as medicine] in order that they may feel stronger

in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that 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.

3 There will never be [anyone or anything there that God] will be [under God’s] curse. The throne of God and the [one who is like a] lamb will be in the city. And God’s servants will worship him there.

There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him.

4 They will see him face-to-face, and his name will be [written] {[he] will [write] his name} on their foreheads.

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

5 There will never again be night. [God’s servants] will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine his light upon them. And they will rule forever. (aiōn g165)

There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever. (aiōn g165)

6 The angel said to me: “These words that [God has revealed to you] are true, and he will certainly do what he has promised to do. The Lord God who ([inspires] the prophets/tells the prophets what to say) sent his angel to show the people who serve him the events that must happen soon.”

He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.”

7 [Jesus says to all his people], “Listen [to] this! I am coming soon; [God will abundantly] bless everyone who obeys what [has been commanded] in this book.”

“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw [in a vision] these things [that I have written down]. When I had heard and seen [them], I immediately knelt down at the feet of the angel who was showing them to me, in order to worship him.

Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.

9 But he said to me, “Do not [worship me] I am [just] your fellow servant! I am also the fellow servant of your fellow believers who are (the prophets/the ones who tell messages that come directly from God), and I am a fellow servant of those who obey what has been commanded in this book. [Instead], worship God!”

He said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

10 He also said to me, “Do not keep secret the message about what [God] has foretold in this book, because it is almost time [MTY] for him to [what he has promised to do in this message].

He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

11 [Since that time is near, if] those who act in an evil manner [want to] continue to act that way [IRO], [that is up to them. God will soon] ([pay them back/punish them]) [for that. If] those who are vile [want to] continue to be vile [IRO], [that is up to them. God will soon] ([pay them back/punish them]) [for that]. Those who are [acting] righteously should continue to act righteously. And those who are holy should continue to be holy.”

He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.”

12 [Jesus says this to everyone]: “Listen! I am coming soon! And I will pay back everyone according to what each one has done, by [punishing or] rewarding them.

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.

13 I [am] the one who began all things [MET] and the one who will cause all things to end [MET]. I existed before [all things existed] and I will exist at the end [of all things] [DOU].

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14 [God] is very pleased with the people who wash their robes, [making themselves spiritually clean] [MET], because they will be able to [eat the fruit of] [MTY] the tree [that enables people] to live [forever], and because they will [be able] to enter the gates into the [holy] city.

Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

15 [People who are unholy] will not be allowed to enter the city. They include people who practice sorcery, people who sin sexually, murderers, idol worshipers, and everyone who enjoys telling lies and are continual liars. [They can never enter that city].”

Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, sent my angel in order that he might tell you who are in the congregations [that all] these things [that have been said are true]. I am the descendant of [King] David [whom the prophets promised would come] [MET]. I am the [one who is like] the bright morning star [MET], the one [that Moses promised would come].”

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

17 [God’s] Spirit and [his people, who are like] [MET] the bride [of Christ], say [to each one who desires to believe], “Come!” Whoever hears [this] should also say [to each one who desires to believe], “Come!” [Spiritually thirsty people should come] [MET]! Everyone who desires the water [that enables people to] live [forever] should take it as a free gift!

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

18 “I, [Jesus, solemnly] warn everyone who hears what [I] have foretold in this book: If anyone adds anything to this message, God will cause him to experience the plagues that are {that [I] have} described in this book.

I testify 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.

19 If anyone omits any of the message about what [I] have foretold in this book, God will take away that person’s right [to eat fruit from] [MTY] the tree [that enables people] to live [forever]. He [will also take away] that person’s right [to enter] God’s city. [Both these things] are described {[I] have described [both these things]} in this book.”

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 out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

20 [Jesus], who says that [all] the things written here are true, says, “Certainly I am coming soon!” [I, John, reply], “(May it be so!/Amen!) Lord Jesus, come!”

He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!

21 [I pray that our] Lord Jesus [will continue to] act kindly to all [of you who are God’s people]. (Amen!/May it be so!)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.