Rev 22 | HCSB | STEP | Then he showed me the river of living water , sparkling like crystal , flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

Revelation of John 22

The Source of Life

1 Then he showed me the river ^{▼▼Other mss read pure river} of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ^b 2 down the middle of the broad street of the city. The tree of life ^{▼▼Or was a tree of life, or was a tree that gives life} was on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. ^d The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, 3 and there will no longer be any curse. ^e The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, ^{▼▼Lit in it} and His ^{▼▼slave: The strong Greek word doulos cannot be accurately translated in English by "servant" or "bond servant"; the HCSB translates this word as "slave," not out of insensitivity to the legitimate concerns of modern English speakers, but out of a commitment to accurately convey the brutal reality of the Roman empire's inhumane institution as well as the ownership called for by Christ.}slaves will serve Him. 4 They will see His face, ^h and His name will be on their foreheads. ⁱ 5 Night will no longer exist, ^j and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near

6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true. ^k And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, ^{▼▼Other mss read God of the holy prophets} has sent His angel to show His slaves what must quickly take place.” ^{▼▼Or soon
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7 “Look, I am coming quickly! ^o The one who keeps the prophetic words of this book is blessed.” ^p

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow slave with you, your ^{▼▼brother(s): The Greek word adelphoi can be used as a reference to males only or to groups that include males and females. It is the context of each usage that determines the proper meaning.}brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” ^r 10 He also said to me, “Don’t seal the prophetic words of this book, because the time is near. ^s 11 Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy go on being made filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; and let the holy go on being made holy.” ^t

12 “Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me ^u to repay each person according to what he has done. ^v 13 I am the ^{▼▼Alpha and Omega: The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet; it is used to refer to God the Father in Rv 1:8 and 21:6, and to Jesus, God the Son, in Rv 22:13.}Alpha and the Omega, ^x the First and the Last, ^y the Beginning and the End. ^z

14 “Blessed ^aa are those who wash their robes, ^{▼▼Other mss read who keep His commands} so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. ^ac

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you ^{▼▼In Gk, you is pl} for the churches. I am the Root ^ae and the Offspring of David, ^af the Bright Morning Star.” ^ag

17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift. ^ah

18 I testify to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. 19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book. ^ai

20 He who testifies about these things ^aj says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” ^{▼▼Amen: The transliteration of a Hebrew word signifying that something is certain, valid, truthful, or faithful; it is often used at the end of biblical songs, hymns, and prayers.}Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! ^al

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus ^{▼▼Other mss add Christ} be with all the ^{▼▼saint(s)/sanctification/sanctify/sanctified: The work of the Holy Spirit that separates believers in Jesus from the world; at the time of saving faith in Jesus, the believer is made a saint; therefore, all believers are saints. The believer participates with the Spirit in a process of transformation that continues until glorification. The goal of sanctification is progressive conformity to the image of Jesus Christ.}saints. ^{▼▼Other mss omit the saints} Amen. ^{▼▼Other mss omit Amen.}