AUV(i)
1 Then the angel [See 21:9] showed me the river of the water of life. It was crystal-clear as it flowed out of the throne of God and the Lamb,
2 and down the middle of the city’s street. And on each side of the river stood the tree of life; it produced twelve crops of fruit, yielding a crop every month. And the leaves of the tree [served as medicine] for healing the nations.
3 And there will no longer be any curse [in the city], and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there. And God’s servants will serve Him,
4 and they will see His face, and His name will be [written] on their foreheads.
5 And it will never be nighttime there anymore; they will not need the light of a lamp or of the sun, for the Lord will give them light. And they [i.e., God’s servants] will rule [with Christ, See 20:4] forever and ever.
6 Then the angel [See 21:9] said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His servants [i.e., through the apostle John] the things that must happen soon [See 1:1].
7 And listen, I [i.e., Christ] am coming quickly! The person who obeys the words of the prophecy of this book is blessed.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.
9 But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am [only] a fellow-servant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who obey the words of this book. You should worship God.”
10 Then the angel said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near [i.e., for the events of its prophecies to begin to happen].
11 The person who is doing wrong should continue to do wrong [if he wants to]; and the person who is [morally] filthy should continue to be [morally] filthy [if he wants to]; and the person who does what is right should continue to do right [if he wants to]; and the person who is living a holy life should continue to live holy [if he wants to].”
12 “Listen,” [says Jesus], “I am coming quickly! And my reward is with me to pay [back] every person for what he has done.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega [See note at 1:8], the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Those who wash their robes are blessed because [then] they will have the right to [eat from] the tree of life, and will [be able to] enter the city through the gates.
15 On the outside [of the city] are the dogs [Note: This probably refers to people who practiced sexual perversions. See Deut. 23:17] and the sorcerers, and the sexually immoral people, and the murderers, and the idolaters and every person who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you people about these things for [the benefit of] the churches [See 1:4]. I am the Root and the descendant of King David, the bright Morning Star.”
17 And the Holy Spirit and the bride [i.e., the church. See 21:9] say, “Come!” And the person who hears [this] should say “Come.” And the person who is [spiritually] thirsty should come; [and] whoever wants to should come and drink the water of life without having to pay for it.
18 I testify to every person who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [Note: This is probably Jesus speaking, but could possibly be John]. If anyone adds to these words, God will add to him the calamities described in this book.
19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
20 The One who testifies about these things [i.e., Jesus] says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” May this be so. Come [ahead] Lord Jesus!
21 May the unearned favor of the Lord Jesus be with all of you. [Note: Some ancient manuscripts say “with God’s holy people”]. May it be so.