Prologue

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he [fn]saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Greeting to the Seven Churches

4 John to the seven churches in Asia: Grace to you and peace from [fn]God, who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who [fn]loves us and [fn]washed us from our sins with his blood 6 and made us [fn]to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the power forever [fn]and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. So shall it be! Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the [fn]Omega,” says the Lord [fn]God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

John's Vision of Christ

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that are [fn]in Christ Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus [fn]Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like that of a trumpet, 11 saying, “[fn]Write what yoʋ see in a book and send it to the [fn]seven [fn]churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned [fn]in that direction to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the [fn]seven lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. But he placed his right hand on me and [fn]said, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18 the living one. I was dead, but behold, I am alive forevermore. [fn]Amen. I have the keys of [fn]Death and Hades. 19 [fn]Therefore write what yoʋ have seen, what is now and what will take place after this. 20 This is the mystery of the seven stars that yoʋ saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven [fn]lampstands are the seven churches.

The Letter to the Church in Ephesus

2 “To the angel of the [fn]church in Ephesus write: ‘These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know yoʋr works, [fn]yoʋr labor, and yoʋr endurance. I know that yoʋ cannot tolerate those who are evil, and that yoʋ have tested those who [fn]declare themselves [fn]to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. 3 Yoʋ have [fn]persevered and endured hardships [fn]for the sake of my [fn]name, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against yoʋ: Yoʋ have left yoʋr first love. 5 Therefore, remember where yoʋ have fallen from; repent and do the works yoʋ did at first. Otherwise, I will come to yoʋ [fn]quickly and remove yoʋr lampstand from its place, unless yoʋ repent. 6 Yet yoʋ do have this: Yoʋ hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give the right to eat of the tree of life, which is [fn]in the paradise of [fn]my God.’

The Letter to the Church in Smyrna

8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘These are the words of the first and the [fn]last, who was dead and came to life: 9 I know yoʋr [fn]works, yoʋr tribulation, and yoʋr poverty—yet yoʋ are rich! I know the slander of those who declare themselves to be Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what yoʋ are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be [fn]tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give yoʋ the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. He who overcomes will certainly not be harmed by the second death.’

The Letter to the Church in Pergamum

12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 I know [fn]yoʋr works and where yoʋ dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet yoʋ hold fast to my name, and yoʋ did not deny my [fn]faith in the days [fn]when Antipas was my [fn]faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against yoʋ: Yoʋ have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught [fn]Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel [fn]and to eat food sacrificed to idols and commit fornication. 15 [fn]In the same way, yoʋ also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 [fn]Therefore repent. Otherwise, I will come to yoʋ quickly and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To him who overcomes I will [fn]give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone will be written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

The Letter to the Church in Thyatira

18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze: 19 I know yoʋr works, yoʋr love and [fn]faith, yoʋr service and [fn]endurance, and that yoʋr latter works are greater than the ones yoʋ did at first. 20 But I have [fn]this against yoʋ: Yoʋ [fn]tolerate [fn]yoʋr wife Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess while teaching and seducing my servants to commit fornication and eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to [fn]repent, but she refuses to repent of her fornication. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent from [fn]her works. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to [fn]the rest of you who are in Thyatira, who do not hold to this teaching and have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan—to you I say: I [fn]place no further burden upon you. 25 Only hold fast to what you have until I [fn]come. 26 To him who overcomes and keeps my works to the end, I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron; like earthen vessels they [fn]will be shattered, just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’

The Letter to the Church in Sardis

3 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘These are the words of him who has the [fn]seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know yoʋr works; yoʋ have a [fn]reputation for being alive, but yoʋ are dead. 2 Be watchful and [fn]strengthen what remains, which [fn]yoʋ were about to throw away, for I have not found yoʋr works to be complete in the sight of [fn]my God. 3 So remember what yoʋ have [fn]received and heard; obey it and repent. If yoʋ do not wake up, I will come [fn]upon yoʋ like a thief, and yoʋ will certainly not know at what hour I will come upon yoʋ. 4 [fn]But yoʋ have a few individuals [fn]in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will be [fn]clothed in white garments. I will certainly not blot out his name from the book of life, but will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’

The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia

7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘These are the words of him who is holy and true, who has the key of David and opens doors that no one [fn]else can open or shut: 8 I know yoʋr works. Behold, I have set before yoʋ an open [fn]door that no one can shut. I know that yoʋ have little strength, but yoʋ have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Those of the synagogue of Satan are liars. They declare themselves to be Jews but are not. Behold, I will make them come and bow down at yoʋr feet, and they will know that I love yoʋ. 10 Because yoʋ have kept my command to persevere, I will keep yoʋ from the hour of trial that is about to come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 [fn]I am coming quickly. Hold fast to what yoʋ have so that no one will take yoʋr crown. 12 The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will no longer go out at all. I will write on him the name of my God, the name of the city of my God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from my God), and [fn]my new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’

The Letter to the Church in Laodicea

14 “To the angel of the church [fn]in Laodicea write: ‘These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation: 15 I know yoʋr works; yoʋ are neither cold nor hot. If only yoʋ were cold or hot! 16 So, because yoʋ are lukewarm, and [fn]not hot or cold, I am about to spit yoʋ out of my mouth. 17 For yoʋ say, “I am rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,” but yoʋ do not realize that yoʋ are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel yoʋ to buy from me gold refined by fire so that yoʋ may be rich, and white garments so that yoʋ may clothe yoʋrself and the shame of yoʋr nakedness may not be [fn]revealed, and eye salve to anoint yoʋr eyes so that yoʋ may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’ ”

Worship in Heaven

4 After this I looked, and behold, a door was standing open in heaven! And the voice I had previously heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show yoʋ what must take place after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and behold, there was a throne in heaven, with one sitting on the [fn]throne, 3 like jasper and carnelian in appearance. And around the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and [fn]sitting on the thrones were the twenty-four elders. They were clothed in white garments and had golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, [fn]rumblings, and peals of thunder, and there were seven flaming torches burning before the throne; these are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also before the throne was [fn]something like a sea of glass that looked like crystal.

Around the throne on each side were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature was like a calf, the third living creature had [fn]the face of a man, and the fourth [fn]living creature was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying,

“Holy, holy, [fn]holy is the Lord God Almighty,

who was and who is and who is to come.”

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say,

11 “Yoʋ are worthy, [fn]our Lord and God, the Holy One,

to receive glory, honor, and power,

for yoʋ created all things,

and by yoʋr will they [fn]came into existence and were created.”

The Scroll and the Lamb

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sits on the throne a scroll written on the inside and [fn]outside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven [fn]above or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or look into it. 4 So I began to weep loudly because no one was found who was worthy to [fn]open the scroll or look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has [fn]conquered; he is the one who can open the scroll [fn]and its seven seals.”

6 Then I [fn]saw a Lamb that looked like it had been slain; he was standing among the elders in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll out of the right hand of him who was sitting on the throne. 8 When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song:

“Worthy are yoʋ to take the scroll

and open its seals,

for yoʋ were slain, and by yoʋr blood yoʋ redeemed [fn]us for God

out of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.

10 Yoʋ have made [fn]them [fn]kings and priests to our God,

and [fn]they will reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard [fn]something like the voice of many angels coming from around the throne, the living creatures, and the [fn]elders. Their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 and they were saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,

honor, glory, and blessing!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb,

be blessing and honor, glory and power forever and ever! [fn]Amen.”

14 And [fn]I heard the four living creatures saying, “Amen.” And the [fn]elders fell down and [fn]worshiped.

The Seven Seals

6 Then I [fn]saw the Lamb open one of the [fn]seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “[fn]Come and see.” 2 And behold, there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow, and he was given a crown and went out conquering and to conquer.

3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “[fn]Come.” 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slay one another, and he was given a great sword.

5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “[fn]Come and see.” And behold, there was a black horse! Its rider had a balance scale in his hand. 6 Then I heard [fn]a voice from among the four living creatures saying, “A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius, and do not damage the oil and wine.”

7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard [fn]the fourth living creature say, “[fn]Come and see.” 8 And behold, there was a pale green horse! The name of its rider was Death, and Hades followed him. [fn]He was given authority over a fourth of the earth to kill by the sword, famine, pestilence, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

9 When the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of [fn]those who had been slain because of the word of God and because of the testimony [fn]of the Lamb which they had upheld. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, O Master, Holy and True, will yoʋ not judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 They were each given a white robe and told to rest a [fn]while longer, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who were about to be killed just as they had been, should [fn]complete their course.

12 Then I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, [fn]and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as black as sackcloth made of goat hair, the [fn]entire moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the magnates, the [fn]commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and [fn]free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 And they said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of [fn]his wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

The Sealing of the 144,000

7 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel [fn]ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God. He cried out with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the earth and the sea: 3 “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees until we have put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: one hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel.

5 From the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed,

from the tribe of Reuben twelve [fn]thousand,

from the tribe of Gad twelve [fn]thousand,

6 from the tribe of Asher twelve [fn]thousand,

from the tribe of Naphtali twelve [fn]thousand,

from the tribe of Manasseh twelve [fn]thousand,

7 from the tribe of Simeon twelve [fn]thousand,

from the tribe of Levi twelve [fn]thousand,

from the tribe of Issachar twelve [fn]thousand,

8 from the tribe of Zebulun twelve [fn]thousand,

from the tribe of Joseph twelve [fn]thousand,

and from the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

Praise from the Great Multitude

9 After this I looked, and behold, there was a great multitude, which no one could number, from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes, [fn]with palm branches in their hands. 10 They were crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to [fn]our God, who sits on the [fn]throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying,

“Amen! Blessing, glory, and wisdom,

thanksgiving and honor,

power and strength

be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13 In response one of the elders said to me, “Who are these people clothed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, yoʋ know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore they are before the throne of God,

and they serve him day and night in his temple,

and he who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.

16 They will hunger and thirst no more;

the sun will certainly not beat down upon them,

nor will any scorching heat,

17 for the Lamb in the midst of the throne [fn]shepherds them;

he [fn]leads them to [fn]springs of living water,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The Seventh Seal

8 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

3 Then another angel with a golden censer came and stood at the altar. He was given a large amount of incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended up to God from the hand of the angel. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth, and there were [fn]peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

The Seven Trumpets

6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire, mixed with blood, were hurled down to the earth. A [fn]third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great [fn]burning mountain was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea became blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch. It fell upon a third of the rivers and upon the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood, and a third [fn]of the waters became bitter like wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.

12 The fourth angel sounded 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. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

13 Then I looked, and I heard an [fn]eagle saying [fn]with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet from the three angels who are about to sound!”

9 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth, and the star was given the key to the pit of the abyss. 2 [fn]He opened the pit of the abyss, and from the pit rose smoke like the smoke of a [fn]burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts descended upon the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green thing or any tree, but only those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were permitted to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. 6 In those days people will seek death but will [fn]certainly not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.

7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, and on their heads they wore something like [fn]golden crowns; their faces were like human faces. 8 They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They have tails [fn]and stingers like scorpions, and in their [fn]tails they have the power to harm people for five months. 11 They have as king over them the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek his name is Apollyon.

12 The first woe has passed. Behold, two woes are still to come after this.

13 Then the sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a single voice from the [fn]four horns of the golden altar before God 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels who were prepared for this hour, day, month, and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the troops [fn]on horse was [fn]ten thousand times ten thousand; I heard their number. 17 Now this is what the horses and their riders looked like in my vision: The riders had breastplates that were fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18 By these three [fn]plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came out of the horses' mouths. 19 For [fn]the power of the horses is in their mouths [fn]and in their tails, because their tails have heads like serpents, and with them they inflict harm.

20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent from the works of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, [fn]bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, sorceries, fornication, or thefts.

The Angel and the Little Scroll

10 Then I saw [fn]a mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire. 2 In his hand he held [fn]an open scroll. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and cried out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he cried out, the seven thunders sounded their voices. 4 And when the seven thunders [fn]spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven [fn]saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and [fn]do not write it down.” 5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his [fn]right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and everything in it, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it, and said that there would no longer be delay, 7 but that in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God would be completed, [fn]according to the good news he announced to his servants the prophets.

8 Then the voice I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go take the [fn]little scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went over to the angel and [fn]asked him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take the scroll and eat it. It will make yoʋr stomach bitter, but in yoʋr mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” 10 So I took the [fn]scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. In my mouth it was as sweet as honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter. 11 Then I was told, “Yoʋ must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

The Two Witnesses

11 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and [fn]I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who worship there. 2 But exclude the courtyard [fn]outside the temple; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will give authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the [fn]Lord of the earth. 5 If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These two men have the power to shut the sky, so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophesying. They also have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every plague as often as they want. 7 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will wage war against them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which in a spiritual sense is called Sodom and Egypt, where [fn]their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from among the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will look at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in [fn]a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate and [fn]give each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after [fn]the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. 12 Then [fn]I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched them. 13 [fn]On that day there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 The second woe has passed. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

The Seventh Trumpet

15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The [fn]kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders, who [fn]sit on their thrones before the throne of God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying,

“We give thanks to yoʋ, O Lord God, the Almighty,

who is and who [fn]was,

because yoʋ have taken yoʋr great power

and begun to reign.

18 The nations were angry,

but yoʋr wrath has come,

and the time has come for judging the [fn]dead,

and for rewarding yoʋr servants the prophets,

along with the saints [fn]and those who fear yoʋr name,

both small and great,

and for destroying those who [fn]destroy the earth.”

19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of [fn]the covenant of the Lord was seen in his temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of [fn]thunder, and great hail.

The Woman and the Dragon

12 Then a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was with child and cried out in the pain and agony of giving birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great fiery red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and hurled them to the earth. Then the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had a place prepared for her to be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days.

7 Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. And the dragon fought back, along with his angels. 8 But [fn]he did not prevail, and there was no longer any place found for [fn]him in heaven. 9 The [fn]great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice [fn]in heaven saying, “The salvation, power, and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ, have now come. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, he who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to [fn]the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short.”

13 When the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given two wings like those of a great eagle so that she could fly away from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, [fn]to be nourished there for a time, times, and half a time. 15 Then out of his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 So the dragon was angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of [fn]Jesus.

The First Beast

13 Then [fn]I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea that had [fn]ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on his horns and [fn]blasphemous names on his heads. 2 The beast I saw was like a leopard; his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth was like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 [fn]One of the beast's heads appeared to be mortally wounded. But its mortal wound had been healed, and [fn]the whole world was amazed and followed the beast. 4 They worshiped the dragon [fn]that had given [fn]his authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against him?”

5 The beast was given a mouth to utter great boasts and [fn]blasphemy, and he was [fn]given authority to wage war for forty-two months. 6 And he opened his mouth to utter [fn]blasphemy against God and to slander his [fn]name and his tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 He was permitted to wage war against the saints and conquer them, and he was given authority over every tribe, [fn]people, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, [fn]everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

10 “If anyone [fn]has captivity as his lot,

away he goes;

if anyone [fn]kills with the sword,

with the sword he must be killed.”

This calls for the endurance and the faith of the saints.

The Second Beast

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had [fn]two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and made the earth and those who dwell in it worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. 13 He performed great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the presence of the people. 14 By the signs he was permitted to do in the presence of the first beast, he deceived [fn]my own people who dwell on the earth, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image of the first beast, who had [fn]the wound from the sword but still lived. 15 The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause whoever refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 The second beast required everyone, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 This calls for wisdom: Let anyone who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man; his number is six hundred sixty-six.

The Song of the 144,000

14 Then I looked, and behold, [fn]the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with him [fn]was a multitude numbering one hundred forty-four thousand, who had [fn]his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of great thunder. [fn]The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They were [fn]singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed [fn]by Jesus from among men as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No [fn]lie was found in their [fn]mouths, for they are [fn]blameless.

The Messages of the Three Angels

6 Then I saw [fn]an angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to [fn]preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. 7 He said with a loud voice, “Fear [fn]the Lord and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

8 [fn]A second angel followed, saying, “[fn]Fallen is Babylon the [fn]great! [fn]She has made all the nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

9 A third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives [fn]a mark on his forehead or his hand, 10 he too will drink of the wine of the wrath of God that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.”

12 This calls for the endurance of the [fn]saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to their faith in Jesus.

13 Then I heard a voice from heaven [fn]saying, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, [fn]and their works will follow them.”

The Harvest of the Earth

14 Then I looked, and behold, there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of [fn]the temple, crying out with a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take yoʋr sickle and reap, because the hour [fn]to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So he who was sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.

17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven; he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel, who had authority over the fire, came out from the altar and called out with a loud [fn]cry to the angel who had the sharp sickle, “Take yoʋr sharp sickle and gather the clusters [fn]from the vintage of the earth, for [fn]its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth, gathered the vintage of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 Then the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for one thousand six hundred stadia.

The Seven Angels with Seven Plagues

15 Then I saw another great and marvelous sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven final plagues, because with them the wrath of God is completed.

2 I also saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had overcome [fn]the beast, his image, [fn]and the number of his name were standing by the sea of glass, holding [fn]harps from God. 3 They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are yoʋr works,

O Lord God, the Almighty!

Righteous and true are yoʋr ways,

O King of the [fn]nations!

4 Who could not fear [fn]yoʋ, O Lord,

and glorify yoʋr name?

For yoʋ alone are holy.

All [fn]the nations will come

and worship before yoʋ,

for yoʋr righteous acts have been revealed.”

5 After this I looked, [fn]and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, 6 and out [fn]of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven [fn]plagues. They were clothed in pure bright [fn]linen, with golden sashes wrapped around their chests. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the [fn]seven angels were completed.

The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath

16 Then I heard a loud voice [fn]from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go pour out on the earth the [fn]seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth. Then harmful and painful sores came upon the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

3 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned into blood, like that of a dead person, and every [fn]living creature in the sea died.

4 The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters say,

“Yoʋ are just, O [fn]Holy One, who is and who was,

for yoʋ have brought these judgments.

6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,

and yoʋ have given them blood to drink;

it is what they deserve.”

7 And I heard [fn]the altar say,

“Yes, Lord God, the Almighty,

true and just are yoʋr judgments.”

8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was permitted to scorch people with fire. 9 People were scorched with intense heat, and they blasphemed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues, but they did not repent and give him glory.

10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and the beast's kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores, but they did not repent of their works.

12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the east. 13 Then I saw three unclean spirits 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. 14 They are demonic spirits performing [fn]signs, who go out to the kings [fn]of the whole world to assemble them for battle on [fn]that great day of God, the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his garments on, so that he will not walk around naked and have people see his shame.”) 16 Then they assembled the kings at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne of [fn]the temple of heaven, saying, “It is done!” 18 Then there were [fn]flashes of lightning, peals of thunder, rumblings, and a great earthquake such as had not occurred since [fn]men have been on the earth, so great was the quake. 19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 Every island fled, and no mountain could be found. 21 And great hailstones, about the weight of a talent, fell on people from heaven, and they blasphemed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.

The Great Prostitute and the Beast

17 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show yoʋ the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and those who dwell on the earth have become drunk with the wine of her fornication.” 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit to a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The [fn]woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filth of [fn]her fornication. 5 A mysterious name was written on her forehead: “Babylon the great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth.” 6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the [fn]saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly amazed. 7 But the angel said to me, “Why are yoʋ so amazed? I will tell yoʋ the mystery of the woman and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 8 The beast that yoʋ saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. Those who dwell on the earth, [fn]whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will be amazed when they see [fn]that the beast was and is not and [fn]is to come. 9 This calls for a mind that has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and another has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast that was and is not, is an eighth king. Yet he is one of the seven and is on his way to destruction. 12 The ten horns that yoʋ saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings for one hour with the beast. 13 These kings have one mind and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters yoʋ saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 The [fn]beast and the ten horns yoʋ saw will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing their kingdom over to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 As for the woman yoʋ saw, she is the great city that has dominion over the kings [fn]of the earth.”

The Fall of Babylon the Great

18 After this I saw [fn]another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 He cried out [fn]with a mighty voice,

“[fn]Fallen is Babylon the great!

She has become a dwelling place for demons,

a haunt for every unclean [fn]spirit,

and a haunt for every unclean and hated bird.

3 For all the nations have [fn]fallen

because of the [fn]wine of the wrath of her fornication.

The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her,

and the merchants of the earth have become rich from the power of her luxury.”

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say,

“Come out of her, my people,

so that you do not participate in her sins,

and so that you do not receive any of her plagues;

5 for her sins [fn]are heaped as high as heaven,

and God has remembered her unrighteous acts.

6 Render to her as she herself has [fn]rendered;

[fn]repay her double according to her works.

Mix a double portion for her in the cup she has mixed.

7 As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury,

give her the same amount of torment [fn]and mourning,

for in her heart she says,

‘I sit enthroned as a queen;

I am not a widow

and will never see mourning.’

8 Therefore her plagues will come in a single day—

death, mourning, and famine.

She will be burned up with fire,

for mighty is the Lord God who [fn]has judged her.”

9 The kings of the earth who have committed fornication with her and lived in luxury with her will [fn]weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. 10 In fear of her torment they will stand at a distance and say,

“Woe, woe, the great city,

Babylon, the mighty city!

For in a single hour yoʋr judgment has come.”

11 The merchants of the earth [fn]will weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo anymore, 12 cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of citron wood, all kinds of articles made of ivory, all kinds of articles made of costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 cargo of [fn]cinnamon, incense, myrrh, frankincense, [fn]wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, [fn]sheep, cattle, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.

14 “The ripe fruit that was the desire of yoʋr soul

[fn]has gone from yoʋ,

and all yoʋr delicacies and splendors

[fn]are lost to [fn]yoʋ;

yoʋ will never find them again!”

15 The merchants of these wares, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,

16 “Woe, [fn]woe, the great city,

she who was clothed in fine linen,

in purple and scarlet,

adorned with gold,

with precious stone and pearls!

17 For in a single hour such great wealth has been laid waste!”

And every shipmaster and seafaring man, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning,

“What city is like the great city?”

19 They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and mourning aloud,

“Woe, woe, the great city,

where all who had ships at sea

grew rich from her valuable merchandise!

For in a single hour she has been laid waste.

20 Rejoice over her, O heaven,

and you [fn]saints, apostles, and prophets,

for God has given judgment for you against her.”

21 Then a mighty angel picked up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, and said,

“With [fn]such violence Babylon the great city

will be thrown down,

never to be found again.

22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters

will never be heard in yoʋ again.

No craftsman of any trade

will ever be found in yoʋ again.

The sound of a mill

will never be heard in yoʋ again.

23 The light of a lamp

will never shine in yoʋ again.

The voice of bridegroom and bride

will never be heard in yoʋ again.

[fn]For yoʋr merchants were the magnates of the earth,

because all the nations were deceived by yoʋr sorcery.

24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,

and of all who have been slain on the earth.”

Heaven Rejoices over Babylon

19 After this I heard [fn]what sounded like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,

“Hallelujah!

Salvation, [fn]power, and glory belong to our God,

2 for true and just are his judgments;

he has judged the great prostitute,

who corrupted the earth with her fornication.

He has avenged the blood of his servants shed by her hand.”

3 A second time [fn]the voice said,

“Hallelujah!

Her smoke goes up forever and ever.”

4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And a voice came out from the throne, saying,

“Praise our God,

all you his servants,

you who fear him,

both small and great.”

6 Then I heard what sounded like the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying,

“Hallelujah!

For the Lord [fn]our God

the Almighty reigns.

7 Let us rejoice and be [fn]glad

and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

8 To her it has been granted to be clothed

with fine linen, [fn]bright and pure.”

For the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ ” He also said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant of yoʋrs, and of yoʋr brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The Rider on the White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are [fn]a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems. [fn]Names were written on him, including a name that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is clothed with a garment [fn]dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp [fn]two-edged sword with which he can strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury [fn]of the wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 On his garment and on his thigh is written the name: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that were flying directly overhead, “Come, gather together for the [fn]great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, [fn]both free and slave, [fn]both small and great.” 19 Then I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and [fn]so was the false prophet who was with him, who in his sight performed the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 The rest were killed by the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Satan Bound for a Thousand Years

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, [fn]the deceiver of the whole world, and he bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the abyss and [fn]locked and sealed it over him, so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the thousand years were completed. After that he must be released for a short time.

4 Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for [fn]the thousand years. 5 [fn](The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who take part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will [fn]be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him for [fn]a thousand years.

Satan Thrown into the Lake of Fire

7 [fn]When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 They marched up over the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down [fn]out of heaven from God and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Judgment Before the Great White Throne

11 Then I saw a great white throne and one who sat upon it. The [fn]earth and the sky fled from his face, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the [fn]dead, great and small, standing before [fn]the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their works. 13 Then the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and each person was judged according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second [fn]death, the lake of fire. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The New Heaven and the New Earth

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 [fn]I also saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from [fn]heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with [fn]them. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more, and there will no longer be mourning, crying, or [fn]pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then he who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And he said [fn]to me, “Write this down, for these [fn]words are true and trustworthy.” 6 He also said to me, “[fn]I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To him who thirsts I will freely give from the spring of the water of life. 7 [fn]He who overcomes will inherit these things; I will be his God, and [fn]he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, [fn]the sinful, the detestable, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their portion is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

The New Jerusalem

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues [fn]came and said to me, “Come, I will show yoʋ the [fn]wife, the bride of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me the [fn]great city, the holy Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 The city shone with the glory of God, and its radiance was like a very precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates. Twelve angels were at the gates, and on the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the [fn]twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The angel who spoke to me had a golden [fn]measuring rod to measure the [fn]city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is the same as its width. The angel measured the city with the rod and found it to be twelve thousand stadia. (The length, width, and height were all [fn]equal, each measuring twelve thousand stadia.) 17 [fn]Then he measured its wall and found it to be one hundred forty-four cubits according to human measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall was made of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, agate; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, carnelian; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each one of the gates was made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 I did not see a temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty is its temple, and so is the Lamb. 23 The city has no need of sun or moon to [fn]shine upon it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations [fn]will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring [fn]the glory and honor of the nations into the city to present to God. 25 Its gates will never be shut at the end of the day, for there will be no night there. 26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations [fn]into the city. 27 But [fn]no unclean thing and [fn]nothing that causes an abomination or a lie will ever enter it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The River of Life and the Tree of Life

22 Then the angel showed me a [fn]pure river of the water of life, as bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of the city street, and on each side of the river, is the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 [fn]No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 [fn]There will be no night there, and they will not need [fn]any lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.

I Am Coming Quickly

6 Then the angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the [fn]spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.

7 “Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8 I, John, am the one who [fn]heard and saw these things. And when I [fn]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! [fn]I am a fellow servant of yoʋrs, and of yoʋr brothers the prophets, [fn]and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

10 Then he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still [fn]do right, and the holy still be holy.”

12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to repay each person according to their works. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, [fn]the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

14 Blessed are those who [fn]keep his commandments, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the fornicators, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star.”

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. And let anyone who wishes to do so take the water of life freely.

18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, [fn]may God add to him the [fn]plagues that are written in this book. 19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, [fn]may God take away his share in the [fn]tree of life and in the holy [fn]city, which are written about in this book.

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. [fn]So shall it be. Come, Lord [fn]Jesus!

21 The grace of [fn]the Lord Jesus Christ be with [fn]all the saints. [fn]Amen.