From Death to Life

2 And you were dead^(A) in your trespasses and sins ² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,^(B) according to the ruler of the power of the air,^(C) the spirit^(D) now working in the disobedient.^{[a] 3} We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly^(E) desires, carrying out the inclinations^(F) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath^(G) as the others were also. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy,^(H) because of his great love^(I) that he had for us,^{[b] 5} made us alive^(J) with Christ even though we were dead^(K) in trespasses. You are saved by grace! ⁶ He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,^{(L) 7} so that in the coming ages^(M) he might display the immeasurable riches^(N) of his grace through his kindness^(O) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you are saved by grace^(P) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created^(Q) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time^(R) for us to do.

⁴ For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day God rested from all his works.^[a](A)

⁹ Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. ¹⁰ For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his.^(A)

¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”^(A)

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they will rest from their labors, since their works follow them.”

The Source of Life

22 Then he showed me the river^[a] of the water of life,^(A) clear as crystal,^(B) flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb^{(C) 2} down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month.^(D) The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations,^{(E) 3} and there will no longer be any curse.^(F) The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. ⁴ They will see his face,^(G) and his name will be on their foreheads.^{(H) 5} Night will be no more;^(I) people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light,^(J) and they will reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near

⁶ Then he said to me, “These words are faithful^[b] and true.^(K) The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets,^[c] has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”^(L)

⁷ “Look, I am coming soon!^(M) Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”^(N)

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 servant with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” ^(O)

¹⁰ Then he said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.^{(P) 11} Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy still be filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; let the holy still be holy.”^(Q)

¹² “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me^(R) to repay each person according to his work.^{(S) 13} I am the Alpha and the Omega, ^(T) the first and the last,^(U) the beginning and the end.^(V)

¹⁴ “Blessed ^(W) are those who wash their robes,^[d] 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, ^(X) the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.^(Y)

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root^(Z) and descendant of David,^(AA) the bright morning star.”^(AB)

¹⁷ Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely.^(AC)