Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹² Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem^(A) from the hill called the Mount of Olives,^(B) a Sabbath day’s walk^[a] from the city. ¹³ When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room^(C) where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.^{(D) 14} They all joined together constantly in prayer,^(E) along with the women^(F) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.^(G)

¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶ and said, “Brothers and sisters,^[b](H) the Scripture had to be fulfilled^(I) in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas,^(J) who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ He was one of our number^(K) and shared in our ministry.”^(L)

¹⁸ (With the payment^(M) he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field;^(N) there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹ Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language^(O) Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

²⁰ “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

and,

²¹ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, ²² beginning from John’s baptism^(R) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness^(S) with us of his resurrection.”

²³ So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed,^(T) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.^(U) Show us^(V) which of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.^(W)

Psalm 133

A song of ascents. Of David.

Eden Restored

22 Then the angel showed me the river^(A) of the water of life,^(B) as clear as crystal,^(C) flowing^(D) from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life,^(E) bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.^{(F) 3} No longer will there be any curse.^(G) The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.^{(H) 4} They will see his face,^(I) and his name will be on their foreheads.^{(J) 5} There will be no more night.^(K) They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.^(L) And they will reign for ever and ever.^(M)

John and the Angel

⁶ The angel said to me,^(N) “These words are trustworthy and true.^(O) The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets,^(P) sent his angel^(Q) to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

⁷ “Look, I am coming soon!^(A) Blessed^(B) is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”^(C)

⁸ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.^(D) And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet^(E) of the angel who had been showing them to me. ⁹ But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll.^(F) Worship God!”^(G)

¹⁰ Then he told me, “Do not seal up^(H) the words of the prophecy of this scroll,^(I) because the time is near.^{(J) 11} Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”^(K)

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

¹² “Look, I am coming soon!^(A) My reward is with me,^(B) and I will give to each person according to what they have done.^{(C) 13} I am the Alpha and the Omega,^(D) the First and the Last,^(E) the Beginning and the End.^(F)

¹⁴ “Blessed are those who wash their robes,^(G) that they may have the right to the tree of life^(H) and may go through the gates^(I) into the city.^{(J) 15} Outside^(K) are the dogs,^(L) those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

¹⁶ “I, Jesus,^(M) have sent my angel^(N) to give you^[a] this testimony for the churches.^(O) I am the Root^(P) and the Offspring of David,^(Q) and the bright Morning Star.”^(R)

¹⁷ The Spirit^(S) and the bride^(T) say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.^(U)

¹⁸ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll:^(V) If anyone adds anything to them,^(W) God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.^{(X) 19} And if anyone takes words away^(Y) from this scroll of prophecy,^(Z) God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life^(AA) and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

²⁰ He who testifies to these things^(AB) says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”^(AC)

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.^(AD)