Revelation 22
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
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].
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations.
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
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
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.
4 And they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] in their foreheads.
They will see him face-to-face, and his name will be [written] {[he] will [write] his name} on their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (aiōn g165)
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)
6 And he said unto me, These sayings [are] faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
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.”
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
[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.”
8 And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
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.
9 Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
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!”
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
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].
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
[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.”
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
[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.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
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].
14 Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
[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.
15 For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
[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].”
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star.
“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].”
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
[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!
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
“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.
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.
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.”
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
[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!”
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.
[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!)
