Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

A river of water of life flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb, clear as crystal. In the middle of the city's main street, on either side of the river, stood the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit that ripened every month, with its leaves providing healing for the nations.

There was no more curse in this place. The throne of God and the Lamb was there, and his servants served him. They saw his face, and his name was written on their foreheads. There would be no night; they wouldn't need any light from lamps or the sun, because the Lord God gave them light. They would reign forever and ever.

The Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place. "Behold," he said, "I come quickly! Blessed is the one who keeps the sayings of this book's prophecy." When I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

"Don't do that," he said. "I am your fellow servant, and I'm with your brothers who are prophets and those who keep the sayings of this book. Worship God!" He told me not to seal up the sayings of this book's prophecy because the time is at hand. Those who lived unjustly should continue in their injustice; those who were unclean should remain so, but the righteous should persist in righteousness, and the holy should be holy still.

"Behold," he said, "I come quickly! My reward is with me to give each person according to what they have done." I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are those who obey his commands.

Outside this place were those who practiced immorality, sorcerers, murderers, idolaters, and anyone who loved and practiced falsehood. But I Jesus sent my angel to testify to you about these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright morning star.

The Spirit and the bride invite everyone to come, and those who hear are invited to join in. All who thirst can freely receive the water of life. I testify to every person who hears the words of this prophecy that if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will remove his part out of the book of life and out of the holy city, and from the things written in this book.

He who testifies to these things says, "I am coming quickly." Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Whoever hears should say, "Come!" And whoever thirsts should come and take the water of life without cost.