Revelation 22

1The angel showed me the crystal-clear river of the water of life. It flowed out directly from the throne of God and of the Lamb!

2The river surged down the center of the city's golden street. On both sides of the river stood the lush Tree of Life. It yields twelve crops of fruit, ripening a fresh harvest every month! The leaves of the tree bring continuous health and healing to the nations.

3No destructive curse will ever exist anywhere in the city! The throne of God and of the Lamb will stand in the city. His faithful servants will worship and serve Him continually.

4They will gaze directly upon His glorious face! And His holy name will shine brightly on their foreheads.

5Night will never fall upon that city again. They will need no artificial lamp or natural sunlight. For the Lord God Himself will flood them with divine light! And they will reign as royal kings forever and ever!

6Then the angel said to me: These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent His angel to show His servants what must soon happen.

7Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who obeys the words of the prophecy in this book.

8I, John, am the eyewitness who heard and saw these magnificent things. I fell down to worship at the feet of the revealing angel.

9He stopped me: Do not do that! Worship God alone! I am a fellow servant with you and your prophet brothers.

10He commanded: Do not seal up the prophetic words of this book! For the appointed time of fulfillment is right at hand.

11Let the unrighteous person continue in their wrongdoing. Let the filthy person remain filthy. Let the righteous person continue living righteously. And let the holy person remain consecrated and holy!

12Look! I am returning quickly, bringing my rewards with me! I will repay every person according to their actual deeds.

13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. I am the absolute Beginning and the final End!

14Blessed are those who obey His commands. They will have the right to the tree of life. They may go through the gates into the city.

15Banned from the city forever are the unrepentant wicked. These are those who practice witchcraft and those who commit sexual sin. They also include the murderers, the idol worshipers, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

16I, Jesus, sent my angel to testify these truths for the churches! I am the ancestral Root and the royal Descendant of David! I am the dazzling, radiant Morning Star!

17The Holy Spirit and the Bride declare: Come! Let everyone who hears this message shout: Come! Let anyone who is thirsty come forward freely! Take the free gift of the living water without cost!

18I issue a solemn warning to everyone hearing this book's prophecy: if anyone adds words to this prophecy, God will add plagues to them!

19If anyone cuts away words from this book, God will cut them off! He will take away their share in the Tree of Life. He will revoke their citizenship in the holy city.

20The One who testifies these truths declares: Yes! I am coming quickly! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

21May the boundless grace of the Lord Jesus rest upon all God's people.