1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life. It was as clear as crystal. It flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 It flowed down the middle of the city's main street. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit. Its fruit was ripe every month. The leaves of the tree bring healing to the nations.
3 There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city. God's servants will serve him.
4 They will see his face. His name will be on their foreheads.
5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun. The Lord God will give them light. They will rule for ever and ever.
6 The angel said to me, "You can trust these words. They are true. The Lord is the God of the spirits of the prophets. He sent his angel to show those who serve him the things that must soon take place."
7 "Look! I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of the prophecy in this book."
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. After I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel. He is the one who had been showing me these things.
9 But he said to me, "Don't do that! I serve God, just as you do. I am God's servant, just like the other prophets and all who obey the words of this book. Worship God!"
10 Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy in this book. These things are about to happen.
11 Let those who do wrong keep on doing wrong. Let those who are evil continue to be evil. Let those who do what is right keep on doing what is right. And let those who are holy continue to be holy."
12 "Look! I am coming soon! I bring my rewards with me. I will reward each person for what he has done.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the First and the Last. I am the Beginning and the End.
14 "Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will have the right to come to the tree of life. They will be allowed to go through the gates into the city.
15 "Outside the city are the dogs and those who practice witchcraft. Outside are also those who commit sexual sins and murder. Those who worship statues of gods, and everyone who loves and does what is false, are outside too.
16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this witness for the churches. I am the Root and the Son of David. I am the bright Morning Star."
17 The Holy Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" Let those who hear say, "Come!" Anyone who is thirsty should come. Anyone who wants to take the free gift of the water of life should do so.
18 I am warning everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If you add anything to them, God will add to you the plagues told about in this book.
19 If you take any words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from you your share in the tree of life. He will also take away your place in the Holy City. This book tells about these things.
20 He who gives witness to these things says, "Yes. I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!