Revelation

The Prologue

1:1The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants1 what must happen very soon.2 He made it clear3 by sending his angel to his servant4 John, 1:2 who then5 testified to everything that he saw concerning the word of God and the testimony about6 Jesus Christ. 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this7 prophecy aloud,8 and blessed are9 those who hear and obey10 the things written in it, because the time is near.11

1:4 From John,12 to the seven churches that are in Asia:13 Grace and peace to you14 from "he who is,"15 and who was, and who is coming,16 and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 1:5 and from Jesus Christ--the faithful17 witness,18 the firstborn from among the dead, the ruler over the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has set us free19 from our sins at the cost of20 his own blood 1:6 and has appointed21 us as a kingdom,22 as priests23 serving his God and Father--to him be the glory and the power for ever and ever!24 Amen.

1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega,"32 says the Lord God--the one who is, and who was, and who is coming--the All-Powerful!33

1:9 I, John, your brother and the one who shares34 with you in the persecution, kingdom, and endurance that35 are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus.36 1:10 I was in the Spirit37 on the Lord's Day38 when39 I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 1:11 saying: "Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches--to Ephesus, Smyrna,40 Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."

1:12 I41 turned to see whose voice was speaking to me,42 and when I did so,43 I saw seven golden lampstands, 1:13 and in the midst of the lampstands was one like a son of man.44 He was dressed in a robe extending down to his feet and he wore a wide golden belt45 around his chest. 1:14 His46 head and hair were as white as wool, even as white as snow,47 and his eyes were like a fiery48 flame. 1:15 His feet were like polished bronze49 refined50 in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar51 of many waters. 1:16 He held52 seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp double-edged sword extended out of his mouth. His53 face shone like the sun shining at full strength. 1:17 When54 I saw him I fell down at his feet as though I were dead, but55 he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last, 1:18 and the one who lives! I56 was dead, but look, now I am alive--forever and ever--and I hold the keys of death and of Hades!57 1:19 Therefore write what you saw, what is, and what will be after these things.58 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands is this:59 the seven stars are the angels60 of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

To the Church in Ephesus

2:1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write the following:1

"This is the solemn pronouncement of2 the one who has a firm grasp on3 the seven stars in his right hand4--the one who walks among the seven golden5 lampstands: 2:2 `I know your works as well as your6 labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate7 evil. You have even put to the test8 those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false. 2:3 I am also aware9 that you have persisted steadfastly,10 endured much for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary. 2:4 But I have this against you: you have departed11 from your first love! 2:5 Therefore, remember from what high state12 you have fallen and repent! Do13 the deeds you did at the first;14 if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place--that is, if you do not repent.15 2:6 But you do have this going for you:16 you hate what the Nicolaitans17 practice18--practices I also hate. 2:7 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers,19 I will permit20 him to eat from the tree of life that is21 in the paradise of God.'22

To the Church in Smyrna

2:8 "To23 the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following:24

"This is the solemn pronouncement of25 the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but26 came to life: 2:9 `I know the distress you are suffering27 and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know28 the slander against you29 by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue30 of Satan. 2:10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown31 into prison so you may be tested,32 and you will experience suffering33 for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.34 2:11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers35 will in no way be harmed by the second death.'

To the Church of Pergamum

2:12 "To36 the angel of the church in Pergamum write the following:37

"This is the solemn pronouncement of38 the one who has the sharp double-edged sword:39 2:13 `I know40 where you reside, where Satan's throne is. Yet41 you continue to cling42 to my name and you have not denied your43 faith in me,44 even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness,45 who was killed in your city46 where Satan lives. 2:14 But I have a few things against you: you have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam,47 who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block48 before the people49 of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.50 2:15 In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans.51 2:16 Therefore,52 repent! If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people53 with the sword of my mouth. 2:17 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers,54 I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white55 stone,56 and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand57 except the one who receives it.'

To the Church of Thyatira

2:18 "To58 the angel of the church in Thyatira write the following:59

"This is the solemn pronouncement of60 the Son of God, the one who has eyes like a fiery flame61 and whose feet are like polished bronze:62 2:19 `I know your deeds: your love, faith,63 service, and steadfast endurance.64 In fact,65 your more recent deeds are greater than your earlier ones. 2:20 But I have this against you: you tolerate that66 woman67 Jezebel,68 who calls herself a prophetess, and by her teaching deceives69 my servants70 to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.71 2:21 I72 have given her time to repent, but73 she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality. 2:22 Look! I am throwing her onto a bed of violent illness,74 and those who commit adultery with her into terrible suffering,75 unless they repent of her deeds. 2:23 Furthermore, I will strike her followers76 with a deadly disease,77 and then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will repay78 each one of you79 what your deeds deserve.80 2:24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, all who do not hold to this teaching81 (who have not learned the so-called "deep secrets82 of Satan"), to you I say: I do not put any additional burden on you. 2:25 However, hold on to what you have until I come. 2:26 And to the one who conquers83 and who continues in84 my deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations:85

2:28 just as I have received the right to rule90 from my Father, and I will give him the morning star.91 2:29 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

To the Church of Sardis

3:1"To1 the angel of the church in Sardis write the following:2

"This is the solemn pronouncement of3 the one who holds4 the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: `I know your deeds, that you have a reputation5 that you are alive, but6 in reality7 you are dead. 3:2 Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about8 to die, because I have not found your deeds complete9 in the sight10 of my God. 3:3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard,11 and obey it,12 and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never13 know at what hour I will come against14 you. 3:4 But you have a few individuals15 in Sardis who have not soiled16 their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed17 in white, because they are worthy. 3:5 The one who conquers18 will be dressed like19 them in white clothing,20 and I will never21 erase22 his name from the book of life, but23 will declare24 his name before my Father and before his angels. 3:6 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

To the Church of Philadelphia

3:7 "To25 the angel of the church in Philadelphia write the following:26

"This is the solemn pronouncement of27 the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David, who opens doors28 no one can shut, and shuts doors29 no one can open: 3:8 `I know your deeds. (Look! I have put30 in front of you an open door that no one can shut.)31 I know32 that you have little strength,33 but34 you have obeyed35 my word and have not denied my name. 3:9 Listen!36 I am going to make37 those people from the synagogue38 of Satan--who say they are Jews yet39 are not, but are lying--Look, I will make40 them come and bow down41 at your feet and acknowledge42 that I have loved you. 3:10 Because you have kept43 my admonition44 to endure steadfastly,45 I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one can take away46 your crown.47 3:12 The one who conquers48 I will make49 a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never depart from it. I50 will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from my God),51 and my new name as well. 3:13 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

To the Church at Laodicea

3:14 "To52 the angel of the church in Laodicea write the following:53

"This is the solemn pronouncement of54 the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator55 of God's creation: 3:15 `I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! 3:16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going56 to vomit57 you out of my mouth! 3:17 Because you say, "I am rich and have acquired great wealth,58 and need nothing," but59 do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful,60 poor, blind, and naked, 3:18 take my advice61 and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich! Buy from me62 white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness63 will not be exposed, and buy eye salve64 to put on your eyes so you can see! 3:19 All those65 I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent! 3:20 Listen!66 I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home67 and share a meal with him, and he with me. 3:21 I will grant the one68 who conquers69 permission70 to sit with me on my throne, just as I too conquered71 and sat down with my Father on his throne. 3:22 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

The Wondrous Scene in Heaven

4:1After these things I looked, and there was1 a door standing open in heaven!2 And the first voice I had heard speaking to me3 like a trumpet4 said: "Come up here so that5 I can show you what must happen after these things." 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit,6 and7 a throne was standing8 in heaven with someone seated on it! 4:3 And the one seated on it was like jasper9 and carnelian10 in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald11 encircled the throne. 4:4 In12 a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were13 dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns14 on their heads. 4:5 From15 the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring16 and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God,17 were burning in front of the throne 4:6 and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal.18

In19 the middle of the throne20 and around the throne were four living creatures21 full of eyes in front and in back. 4:7 The22 first living creature was like a lion, the23 second creature like an ox, the third creature had a face like a man's, and the fourth creature looked like an eagle flying. 4:8 Each one of the four living creatures had six wings24 and was full of eyes all around and inside.25 They never rest day or night, saying:26

4:9 And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor,28 and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 4:10 the twenty-four elders throw themselves to the ground29 before the one who sits on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever, and they offer their crowns30 before his31 throne, saying:

The Opening of the Scroll

5:1Then1 I saw in the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the front and back2 and sealed with seven seals.3 5:2 And I saw a powerful angel proclaiming in a loud voice: "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?" 5:3 But4 no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it. 5:4 So5 I began weeping bitterly6 because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5:5 Then7 one of the elders said8 to me, "Stop weeping!9 Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered;10 thus he can open11 the scroll and its seven seals."

5:6 Then12 I saw standing in the middle of the throne13 and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been killed.14 He had15 seven horns and seven eyes, which16 are the seven17 spirits of God18 sent out into all the earth. 5:7 Then19 he came and took the scroll20 from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne, 5:8 and when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders threw themselves to the ground21 before the Lamb. Each22 of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of the saints).23 5:9 They were singing a new song:24

5:11 Then34 I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their35 number was ten thousand times ten thousand36--thousands times thousands-- 5:12 all of whom37 were singing38 in a loud voice:

5:13 Then40 I heard every creature--in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea,41 and all that is in them--singing:42

5:14 And the four living creatures were saying "Amen," and the elders threw themselves to the ground44 and worshiped.

The Seven Seals

6:1I looked on when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a thunderous voice,1 "Come!"2 6:2 So3 I looked,4 and here came5 a white horse! The6 one who rode it7 had a bow, and he was given a crown,8 and as a conqueror9 he rode out to conquer.

6:3 Then10 when the Lamb11 opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come!" 6:4 And another horse, fiery red,12 came out, and the one who rode it13 was granted permission14 to take peace from the earth, so that people would butcher15 one another, and he was given a huge sword.

6:5 Then16 when the Lamb opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying, "Come!" So17 I looked,18 and here came19 a black horse! The20 one who rode it21 had a balance scale22 in his hand. 6:6 Then23 I heard something like a voice from among the four living creatures saying, "A quart24 of wheat will cost a day's pay25 and three quarts of barley will cost a day's pay. But26 do not damage the olive oil and the wine!"

6:7 Then27 when the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come!" 6:8 So28 I looked29 and here came30 a pale green31 horse! The32 name of the one who rode it33 was Death, and Hades followed right behind.34 They35 were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its population with the sword,36 famine, and disease,37 and by the wild animals of the earth.

6:9 Now38 when the Lamb opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed39 because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. 6:10 They40 cried out with a loud voice,41 "How long,42 Sovereign Master,43 holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?" 6:11 Each44 of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached45 of both their fellow servants46 and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.

6:12 Then47 I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge48 earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair,49 and the full moon became blood red;50 6:13 and the stars in the sky51 fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping52 its unripe figs53 when shaken by a fierce54 wind. 6:14 The sky55 was split apart56 like a scroll being rolled up,57 and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 6:15 Then58 the kings of the earth, the59 very important people, the generals,60 the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave61 and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 6:16 They62 said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb,63 6:17 because the great day of their64 wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?"65

The Sealing of the 144,000

7:1After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so no wind could blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 7:2 Then1 I saw another angel ascending from the east,2 who had3 the seal4 of the living God. He5 shouted out with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given permission6 to damage the earth and the sea:7 7:3 "Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees until we have put a seal on the foreheads of the servants8 of our God." 7:4 Now9 I heard the number of those who were marked with a seal,10 one hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed from all11 the tribes of the people of Israel:12

7:9 After these things I looked, and here was13 an enormous crowd that no one could count, made up of persons from every nation, tribe,14 people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb dressed in long white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. 7:10 They were shouting out in a loud voice,

7:11 And all the angels stood16 there in a circle around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground17 before the throne and worshiped God, 7:12 saying,

7:13 Then18 one of the elders asked19 me, "These dressed in long white robes--who are they and where have they come from?" 7:14 So20 I said to him, "My lord, you know the answer."21 Then22 he said to me, "These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation. They23 have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb! 7:15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve24 him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them.25 7:16 They will never go hungry or be thirsty again, and the sun will not beat down on them, nor any burning heat,26 7:17 because the Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."27

The Seventh Seal

8:1Now1 when2 the Lamb3 opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 8:2 Then4 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 8:3 Another5 angel holding6 a golden censer7 came and was stationed8 at the altar. A9 large amount of incense was given to him to offer up,10 with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar that is before the throne. 8:4 The11 smoke coming from the incense,12 along with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. 8:5 Then13 the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it on the earth, and there were crashes of thunder, roaring,14 flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

8:6 Now15 the seven angels holding16 the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.

8:7 The17 first angel blew his trumpet, and there was hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was thrown at the earth so that18 a third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

8:8 Then19 the second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain of burning fire was thrown into the sea. A20 third of the sea became blood, 8:9 and a third of the creatures21 living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were completely destroyed.22

8:10 Then23 the third angel blew his trumpet, and a huge star burning like a torch fell from the sky;24 it landed25 on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.26 8:11 (Now27 the name of the star is28 Wormwood.)29 So30 a third of the waters became wormwood,31 and many people died from these waters because they had turned bitter.32

8:12 Then33 the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. And there was no light for a third of the day34 and for a third of the night likewise. 8:13 Then35 I looked, and I heard an36 eagle37 flying directly overhead,38 proclaiming with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth because of the remaining sounds of the trumpets of the three angels who are about to blow them!"39

9:1Then1 the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky2 to the earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the abyss.3 9:2 He4 opened the shaft of the abyss and smoke rose out of it5 like smoke from a giant furnace. The6 sun and the air were darkened with smoke from the shaft. 9:3 Then7 out of the smoke came locusts onto the earth, and they were given power8 like that of the scorpions of the earth. 9:4 They9 were told10 not to damage11 the grass of the earth, or any green plant or tree, but only those people12 who did not have the seal of God on their13 forehead. 9:5 The locusts14 were not given permission15 to kill16 them, but only to torture17 them18 for five months, and their torture was like that19 of a scorpion when it stings a person.20 9:6 In21 those days people22 will seek death, but23 will not be able to24 find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them.

9:7 Now25 the locusts looked like horses equipped for battle. On26 their heads were something like crowns similar to gold,27 and their faces looked like men's28 faces. 9:8 They29 had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9:9 They had breastplates30 like iron breastplates, and the sound of their wings was like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots charging into battle. 9:10 They have31 tails and stingers like scorpions, and their ability32 to injure people for five months is in their tails. 9:11 They have as king over them the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.33

9:12 The first woe has passed, but34 two woes are still coming after these things!

9:13 Then35 the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a single voice coming from the four36 horns on the golden altar that is before God, 9:14 saying to the sixth angel, the one holding37 the trumpet, "Set free38 the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!" 9:15 Then39 the four angels who had been prepared for this40 hour, day,41 month, and year were set free to kill42 a third of humanity. 9:16 The43 number of soldiers on horseback was two hundred million;44 I heard their number. 9:17 Now45 this is what the horses and their riders46 looked like in my47 vision: The riders had breastplates that were fiery red,48 dark blue,49 and sulfurous50 yellow in color.51 The52 heads of the horses looked like lions' heads, and fire, smoke, and sulfur53 came out of their mouths. 9:18 A third of humanity was killed by these three plagues, that is,54 by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came out of their mouths. 9:19 For the power55 of the horses resides56 in their mouths and in their tails, because their tails are like snakes, having heads that inflict injuries. 9:20 The rest of humanity, who had not been killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so that they did not stop worshiping57 demons and idols made58 of gold, silver,59 bronze, stone, and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk about. 9:21 Furthermore,60 they did not repent of their murders, of their magic spells,61 of their sexual immorality, or of their stealing.

The Angel with the Little Scroll

10:1Then1 I saw another powerful angel descending from heaven, wrapped2 in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun and his legs were like pillars of fire.3 10:2 He held4 in his hand a little scroll that was open, and he put his right foot on the sea and his left on the land. 10:3 Then5 he shouted in a loud voice like a lion roaring, and when he shouted, the seven thunders sounded their voices. 10:4 When the seven thunders spoke, I was preparing to write, but6 just then7 I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders spoke and do not write it down." 10:5 Then8 the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 10:6 and swore by the one who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, and the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, "There will be no more delay!9 10:7 But in the days10 when the seventh angel is about to blow his trumpet, the mystery of God is completed,11 just as he has12 proclaimed to his servants13 the prophets." 10:8 Then14 the voice I had heard from heaven began to speak15 to me16 again,17 "Go and take the open18 scroll in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." 10:9 So19 I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He20 said to me, "Take the scroll21 and eat it. It22 will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth." 10:10 So23 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it, and it did taste24 as sweet as honey in my mouth, but25 when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 10:11 Then26 they27 told me: "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations,28 languages, and kings."

The Fate of the Two Witnesses

11:1Then1 a measuring rod2 like a staff was given to me, and I was told,3 "Get up and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and the ones who worship there. 11:2 But4 do not measure the outer courtyard5 of the temple; leave it out,6 because it has been given to the Gentiles,7 and they will trample on the holy city8 for forty-two months. 11:3 And I will grant my two witnesses authority9 to prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth. 11:4 (These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.)10 11:5 If11 anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths12 and completely consumes13 their enemies. If14 anyone wants to harm them, they must be killed this way. 11:6 These two have the power15 to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the time16 they are prophesying. They17 have power18 to turn the waters to blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague whenever they want. 11:7 When19 they have completed their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will make war on them and conquer20 them and kill them. 11:8 Their21 corpses will lie in the street22 of the great city that is symbolically23 called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was also crucified. 11:9 For three and a half days those from every24 people, tribe,25 nation, and language will look at their corpses, because they will not permit them to be placed in a tomb.26 11:10 And those who live on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate, even sending gifts to each other, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. 11:11 But27 after three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them and they stood on their feet, and tremendous fear seized28 those who were watching them. 11:12 Then29 they30 heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them: "Come up here!" So the two prophets31 went up to heaven in a cloud while32 their enemies stared at them. 11:13 Just then33 a major earthquake took place and a tenth of the city collapsed; seven thousand people34 were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

11:14 The second woe has come and gone;35 the third is coming quickly.

The Seventh Trumpet

11:15 Then36 the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying:

11:16 Then38 the twenty-four elders who are seated on their thrones before God threw themselves down with their faces to the ground39 and worshiped God 11:17 with these words:40

11:19 Then50 the temple of God in heaven was opened and the ark of his covenant was visible within his temple. And there were flashes of lightning, roaring,51 crashes of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.52

The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon

12:1 Then1 a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and with the moon under her feet, and on her head was a crown of twelve stars.2 12:2 She3 was pregnant and was screaming in labor pains, struggling4 to give birth. 12:3 Then5 another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon that had seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadem crowns.6 12:4 Now7 the dragon's8 tail swept away a third of the stars in heaven and hurled them to the earth. Then9 the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. 12:5 So10 the woman gave birth to a son, a male child,11 who is going to rule12 over all the nations13 with an iron rod.14 Her15 child was suddenly caught up to God and to his throne, 12:6 and she16 fled into the wilderness17 where a place had been prepared for her18 by God, so she could be taken care of19 for 1,260 days.

War in Heaven

12:7 Then20 war broke out in heaven: Michael21 and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 12:8 But22 the dragon was not strong enough to prevail,23 so there was no longer any place left24 in heaven for him and his angels.25 12:9 So26 that huge dragon--the ancient serpent, the one called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world--was thrown down to the earth, and his angels along with him. 12:10 Then27 I heard a loud voice in heaven saying,

12:13 Now36 when the dragon realized37 that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 12:14 But38 the woman was given the two wings of a giant eagle so that she could fly out into the wilderness,39 to the place God40 prepared for her, where she is taken care of--away from the presence of the serpent--for a time, times, and half a time.41 12:15 Then42 the serpent spouted water like a river out of his mouth after the woman in an attempt to43 sweep her away by a flood, 12:16 but44 the earth came to her rescue;45 the ground opened up46 and swallowed the river that the dragon had spewed from his mouth. 12:17 So47 the dragon became enraged at the woman and went away to make war on the rest of her children,48 those who keep49 God's commandments and hold to50 the testimony about Jesus.51 12:18 And the dragon52 stood53 on the sand54 of the seashore.55

The Coming of the Two Beasts

13:1 Then1 I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It2 had ten horns and seven heads, and on its horns were ten diadem crowns,3 and on its heads a blasphemous name.4 13:2 Now5 the beast that I saw was like a leopard, but its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. The6 dragon gave the beast7 his power, his throne, and great authority to rule.8 13:3 One of the beast's9 heads appeared to have been killed,10 but the lethal wound had been healed.11 And the whole world followed12 the beast in amazement; 13:4 they worshiped the dragon because he had given ruling authority13 to the beast, and they worshiped the beast too, saying: "Who is like the beast?" and "Who is able to make war against him?"14 13:5 The beast15 was given a mouth speaking proud words16 and blasphemies, and he was permitted17 to exercise ruling authority18 for forty-two months. 13:6 So19 the beast20 opened his mouth to blaspheme against God--to blaspheme both his name and his dwelling place,21 that is, those who dwell in heaven. 13:7 The beast22 was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them.23 He was given ruling authority24 over every tribe, people,25 language, and nation, 13:8 and all those who live on the earth will worship the beast,26 everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world27 in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was killed.28 13:9 If anyone has an ear, he had better listen!

This30 requires steadfast endurance31 and faith from the saints.

13:11 Then32 I saw another beast33 coming up from the earth. He34 had two horns like a lamb,35 but36 was speaking like a dragon. 13:12 He37 exercised all the ruling authority38 of the first beast on his behalf,39 and made the earth and those who inhabit it worship the first beast, the one whose lethal wound had been healed. 13:13 He40 performed momentous signs, even making fire come down from heaven in front of people41 13:14 and, by the signs he was permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, he deceived those who live on the earth. He told42 those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had been wounded by the sword, but still lived. 13:15 The second beast43 was empowered44 to give life45 to the image of the first beast46 so that it could speak, and could cause all those who did not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 13:16 He also caused47 everyone (small and great, rich and poor, free and slave48) to obtain a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. 13:17 Thus no one was allowed to buy49 or sell things50 unless he bore51 the mark of the beast--that is, his name or his number.52 13:18 This calls for wisdom:53 let the one who has insight calculate the beast's number, for it is man's number,54 and his number is 666.55

An Interlude--the Song of the 144,000

14:1Then1 I looked, and here was2 the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand, who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 14:2 I also heard a sound3 coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. Now4 the sound I heard was like that made by harpists playing their harps, 14:3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No5 one was able to learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.

14:4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from humanity as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, 14:5 and no lie was found on their lips;6 they7 are blameless.

Three Angels and Three Messages

14:6 Then8 I saw another9 angel flying directly overhead,10 and he had11 an eternal gospel to proclaim12 to those who live13 on the earth--to every nation, tribe,14 language, and people. 14:7 He declared15 in a loud voice: "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has arrived, and worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!"

14:8 A16 second17 angel18 followed the first,19 declaring:20 "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great city!21 She made all the nations22 drink of the wine of her immoral passion."23

14:9 A24 third angel25 followed the first two,26 declaring27 in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand, 14:10 that person28 will also drink of the wine of God's anger29 that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured with fire and sulfur30 in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb. 14:11 And the smoke from their torture will go up31 forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have32 no rest day or night, along with33 anyone who receives the mark of his name." 14:12 This requires34 the steadfast endurance35 of the saints--those who obey36 God's commandments and hold to37 their faith in Jesus.38

14:13 Then39 I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this:

"Yes," says the Spirit, "so they can rest from their hard work,40 because their deeds will follow them."41

14:14 Then42 I looked, and a white cloud appeared,43 and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man!44 He had45 a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 14:15 Then46 another angel came out of the temple, shouting in a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud, "Use47 your sickle and start to reap,48 because the time to reap has come, since the earth's harvest is ripe!" 14:16 So49 the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.

14:17 Then50 another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 14:18 Another51 angel, who was in charge of52 the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to the angel53 who had the sharp sickle, "Use54 your sharp sickle and gather55 the clusters of grapes56 off the vine of the earth,57 because its grapes58 are now ripe."59 14:19 So60 the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the grapes from the vineyard61 of the earth and tossed them into the great62 winepress of the wrath of God. 14:20 Then63 the winepress was stomped64 outside the city, and blood poured out of the winepress up to the height of horses' bridles65 for a distance of almost two hundred miles.66

The Final Plagues

15:1Then1 I saw another great and astounding sign in heaven: seven angels who have seven final plagues2 (they are final because in them God's anger is completed).

15:2 Then3 I saw something like a sea of glass4 mixed with fire, and those who had conquered5 the beast and his image and the number of his name. They were standing6 by7 the sea of glass, holding harps given to them by God.8 15:3 They9 sang the song of Moses the servant10 of God and the song of the Lamb:11

15:5 After19 these things I looked, and the temple (the tent20 of the testimony)21 was opened in heaven, 15:6 and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, dressed in clean bright linen, wearing wide golden belts22 around their chests. 15:7 Then23 one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath24 of God who lives forever and ever, 15:8 and the temple was filled with smoke from God's glory and from his power. Thus25 no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues from the seven angels were completed.

The Bowls of God's Wrath

16:1Then1 I heard a loud voice from the temple declaring to the seven angels: "Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls containing God's wrath."2 16:2 So3 the first angel4 went and poured out his bowl on the earth. Then5 ugly and painful sores6 appeared on the people7 who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

16:3 Next,8 the second angel9 poured out his bowl on the sea and it turned into blood, like that of a corpse, and every living creature that was in the sea died.

16:4 Then10 the third angel11 poured out his bowl on the rivers and the springs of water, and they turned into blood. 16:5 Now12 I heard the angel of the waters saying:

16:7 Then17 I heard the altar reply,18 "Yes, Lord God, the All-Powerful,19 your judgments are true and just!"

16:8 Then20 the fourth angel21 poured out his bowl on the sun and it was permitted to scorch people22 with fire. 16:9 Thus23 people24 were scorched by the terrible heat,25 yet26 they blasphemed the name of God, who has ruling authority27 over these plagues, and they would not repent and give him glory.

16:10 Then28 the fifth angel29 poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast so that30 darkness covered his kingdom,31 and people32 began to bite33 their tongues because34 of their pain. 16:11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their sufferings35 and because of their sores,36 but nevertheless37 they still refused to repent38 of their deeds.

16:12 Then39 the sixth angel40 poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and dried up its water41 to prepare the way42 for the kings from the east.43 16:13 Then44 I saw three unclean spirits45 that looked like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 16:14 For they are the spirits of the demons performing signs who go out to the kings of the earth46 to bring them together for the battle that will take place on the great day of God, the All-Powerful.47

16:16 Now51 the spirits52 gathered the kings and their armies53 to the place that is called Armageddon54 in Hebrew.

16:17 Finally55 the seventh angel56 poured out his bowl into the air and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying: "It is done!" 16:18 Then57 there were flashes of lightning, roaring,58 and crashes of thunder, and there was a tremendous earthquake--an earthquake unequaled since humanity59 has been on the earth, so tremendous was that earthquake. 16:19 The60 great city was split into three parts and the cities of the nations61 collapsed.62 So63 Babylon the great was remembered before God, and was given the cup64 filled with the wine made of God's furious wrath.65 16:20 Every66 island fled away67 and no mountains could be found.68 16:21 And gigantic hailstones, weighing about a hundred pounds69 each, fell from heaven70 on people,71 but they72 blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, since it73 was so horrendous.74

The Great Prostitute and the Beast

17:1Then1 one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke to me.2 "Come," he said, "I will show you the condemnation and punishment3 of the great prostitute who sits on many waters, 17:2 with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality and the earth's inhabitants got drunk with the wine of her immorality."4 17:3 So5 he carried me away in the Spirit6 to a wilderness,7 and there8 I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 17:4 Now9 the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet clothing,10 and adorned with gold,11 precious stones, and pearls. She held12 in her hand a golden cup filled with detestable things and unclean things from her sexual immorality.13 17:5 On14 her forehead was written a name, a mystery:15 "Babylon the Great, the Mother of prostitutes and of the detestable things of the earth." 17:6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of those who testified to Jesus.16 I17 was greatly astounded18 when I saw her. 17:7 But19 the angel said to me, "Why are you astounded? I will interpret20 for you the mystery of the woman and of the beast with the seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 17:8 The beast you saw was, and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss21 and then go to destruction. The22 inhabitants of the earth--all those whose names have not been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world--will be astounded when they see that23 the beast was, and is not, but is to come. 17:9 (This requires24 a mind that has wisdom.) The seven heads are seven mountains25 the woman sits on. They are also seven kings: 17:10 five have fallen; one is,26 and the other has not yet come, but whenever he does come, he must remain for only a brief time. 17:11 The27 beast that was, and is not, is himself an eighth king and yet is one of the seven, and is going to destruction. 17:12 The28 ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive ruling authority29 as kings with the beast for one hour. 17:13 These kings30 have a single intent, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 17:14 They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those accompanying31 the Lamb are the called, chosen, and faithful."

17:15 Then32 the angel33 said to me, "The waters you saw (where the prostitute is seated) are peoples, multitudes,34 nations, and languages. 17:16 The35 ten horns that you saw, and the beast--these will hate the prostitute and make her desolate and naked. They36 will consume her flesh and burn her up with fire.37 17:17 For God has put into their minds38 to carry out his purpose39 by making40 a decision41 to give their royal power42 to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled.43 17:18 As for44 the woman you saw, she is the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth."

Babylon is Destroyed

18:1After these things I saw another angel, who possessed great authority, coming down out of heaven, and the earth was lit up by his radiance.1 18:2 He2 shouted with a powerful voice:

18:4 Then10 I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, so you will not take part in her sins and so you will not receive her plagues, 18:5 because her sins have piled11 up all the way to heaven12 and God has remembered13 her crimes.14 18:6 Repay her the same way she repaid others;15 pay her back double16 corresponding to her deeds. In the cup she mixed, mix double the amount for her. 18:7 As much as17 she exalted herself and lived in sensual luxury,18 to this extent give her torment and grief because she said to herself,19 `I rule as queen and am no widow; I will never experience grief!' 18:8 For this reason, she will experience her plagues20 in a single day: disease,21 mourning,22 and famine, and she will be burned down23 with fire, because the Lord God who judges her is powerful!"

18:9 Then24 the kings of the earth who committed immoral acts with her and lived in sensual luxury25 with her will weep and wail for her when they see the smoke from the fire that burns her up.26 18:10 They will stand a long way off because they are afraid of her torment, and will say,

18:11 Then28 the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn for her because no one buys their cargo29 any longer-- 18:12 cargo such as gold, silver,30 precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk,31 scarlet cloth,32 all sorts of things made of citron wood,33 all sorts of objects made of ivory, all sorts of things made of expensive wood, bronze, iron and marble, 18:13 cinnamon, spice,34 incense, perfumed ointment,35 frankincense,36 wine, olive oil and costly flour,37 wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and four-wheeled carriages,38 slaves and human lives.39

18:15 The merchants who sold45 these things, who got rich from her, will stand a long way off because they are afraid of her torment. They will weep46 and mourn, 18:16 saying,

And every ship's captain,50 and all who sail along the coast51--seamen, and all who52 make their living from the sea, stood a long way off 18:18 and began to shout53 when they saw the smoke from the fire that burned her up,54 "Who is like the great city?" 18:19 And they threw dust on their heads and were shouting with weeping and mourning,55

18:21 Then59 one powerful angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone, threw it into the sea, and said,

19:1After these things I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a vast throng in heaven, saying,

19:3 Then6 a second time the crowd shouted, "Hallelujah!" The smoke rises from her forever and ever.7 19:4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures threw themselves to the ground8 and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne, saying: "Amen! Hallelujah!"

19:5 Then9 a voice came from the throne, saying:

The Wedding Celebration of the Lamb

19:6 Then10 I heard what sounded like the voice of a vast throng, like the roar of many waters and like loud crashes of thunder. They were shouting:11

19:9 Then17 the angel18 said to me, "Write the following: Blessed are those who are invited to the banquet at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!" He also said to me, "These are the true words of God." 19:10 So19 I threw myself down20 at his feet to worship him, but21 he said, "Do not do this!22 I am only23 a fellow servant24 with you and your brothers25 who hold to the testimony about26 Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

The Son of God Goes Forth to War

19:11 Then27 I saw heaven opened and here came28 a white horse! The29 one riding it was called "Faithful" and "True," and with justice30 he judges and goes to war. 19:12 His eyes are like a fiery31 flame and there are many diadem crowns32 on his head. He has33 a name written34 that no one knows except himself. 19:13 He is dressed in clothing dipped35 in blood, and he is called36 the Word of God. 19:14 The37 armies that are in heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen,38 were following him on white horses. 19:15 From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations.39 He40 will rule41 them with an iron rod,42 and he stomps the winepress43 of the furious44 wrath of God, the All-Powerful.45 19:16 He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: "King of kings and Lord of lords."

19:17 Then46 I saw one angel standing in47 the sun, and he shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying high in the sky:48

19:19 Then54 I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to do battle with the one who rode the horse and with his army. 19:20 Now55 the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf56--signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.57 19:21 The58 others were killed by the sword that extended from the mouth of the one who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged59 themselves with their flesh.

The Thousand Year Reign

20:1Then1 I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding2 in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. 20:2 He3 seized the dragon--the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan--and tied him up for a thousand years. 20:3 The angel4 then5 threw him into the abyss and locked6 and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. (After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.)

20:4 Then7 I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge.8 I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These9 had not worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. They10 came to life11 and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 20:5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished.)12 This is the first resurrection. 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who takes part13 in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them,14 but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Satan's Final Defeat

20:7 Now15 when the thousand years are finished, Satan will be released from his prison 20:8 and will go out to deceive16 the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog,17 to bring them together for the battle. They are as numerous as the grains of sand in the sea.18 20:9 They19 went up20 on the broad plain of the earth21 and encircled22 the camp23 of the saints and the beloved city, but24 fire came down from heaven and devoured them completely.25 20:10 And the devil who deceived26 them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur,27 where the beast and the false prophet are28 too, and they will be tormented there day and night forever and ever.

The Great White Throne

20:11 Then29 I saw a large30 white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven31 fled32 from his presence, and no place was found for them. 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then33 books were opened, and another book was opened--the book of life.34 So35 the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.36 20:13 The37 sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death38 and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds. 20:14 Then39 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death--the lake of fire. 20:15 If40 anyone's name41 was not found written in the book of life, that person42 was thrown into the lake of fire.

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21:1Then1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had ceased to exist,2 and the sea existed no more. 21:2 And I saw the holy city--the new Jerusalem--descending out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband. 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: "Look! The residence3 of God is among men and women.4 He5 will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.6 21:4 He7 will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more--or mourning, or crying, or pain; 8the former things have ceased to exist."9

21:5 And the one seated on the throne said: "Look! I am making all things new!" Then10 he said to me, "Write it down,11 because these words are reliable12 and true." 21:6 He also said to me, "It is done!13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the one who is thirsty I will give water14 free of charge15 from the spring of the water of life. 21:7 The one who conquers16 will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 21:8 But to the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells,17 idol worshipers,18 and all those who lie, their place19 will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.20 That21 is the second death."

The New Jerusalem Descends

21:9 Then22 one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues came and spoke to me,23 saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb!" 21:10 So24 he took me away in the Spirit25 to a huge, majestic mountain26 and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 21:11 The city possesses27 the glory of God; its brilliance is like a precious jewel, like a stone of crystal-clear jasper.28 21:12 It has29 a massive, high wall30 with twelve gates,31 with twelve angels at the gates, and the names of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel32 are written on the gates.33 21:13 There are34 three gates on the east side, three gates on the north side, three gates on the south side and three gates on the west side.35 21:14 The36 wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

21:15 The angel37 who spoke to me had a golden measuring rod with which to measure the city and its foundation stones and wall. 21:16 Now38 the city is laid out as a square,39 its length and width the same. He40 measured the city with the measuring rod41 at fourteen hundred miles42 (its length and width and height are equal). 21:17 He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits43 according to human measurement, which is also the angel's.44 21:18 The city's45 wall is made46 of jasper and the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.47 21:19 The foundations of the city's wall are decorated48 with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate,49 the fourth emerald, 21:20 the fifth onyx,50 the sixth carnelian,51 the seventh chrysolite,52 the eighth beryl,53 the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase,54 the eleventh jacinth,55 and the twelfth amethyst. 21:21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls--each one of the gates is made from just one pearl! The56 main street57 of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.

21:22 Now58 I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God, the All-Powerful,59 and the Lamb are its temple. 21:23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God lights it up, and its lamp is the Lamb. 21:24 The nations60 will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their grandeur61 into it. 21:25 Its gates will never be closed during the day62 (and63 there will be no night there).64 21:26 They will bring the grandeur and the wealth65 of the nations66 into it, 21:27 but67 nothing ritually unclean68 will ever enter into it, nor anyone who does what is detestable69 or practices falsehood,70 but only those whose names71 are written in the Lamb's book of life.

22:1Then1 the angel2 showed me the river of the water of life--water as clear as crystal--pouring out3 from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 22:2 flowing down the middle of the city's4 main street.5 On each side6 of the river is the tree of life producing twelve kinds7 of fruit, yielding its fruit every month of the year.8 Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. 22:3 And there will no longer be any curse,9 and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city.10 His11 servants12 will worship13 him, 22:4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 22:5 Night will be no more, and they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

A Final Reminder

22:6 Then14 the angel15 said to me, "These words are reliable16 and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants17 what must happen soon."

22:8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things,19 and when I heard and saw them20 I threw myself down21 to worship at the feet of the angel who was showing them to me. 22:9 But22 he said to me, "Do not do this!23 I am a fellow servant24 with you and with your brothers the prophets, and with those who obey25 the words of this book. Worship God!" 22:10 Then26 he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy contained in this book, because the time is near. 22:11 The evildoer must continue to do evil,27 and the one who is morally filthy28 must continue to be filthy. The29 one who is righteous must continue to act righteously, and the one who is holy must continue to be holy."

22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can have access32 to the tree of life and can enter into the city by the gates. 22:15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers33 and the sexually immoral, and the murderers, and the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood!34

22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendent of David, the bright morning star!"35 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say: "Come!" And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wants it take the water of life free of charge.

22:18 I testify to the one who hears the words of the prophecy contained in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described36 in this book. 22:19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life37 and in the holy city that are described in this book.

22:20 The one who testifies to these things says: "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.38