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’m a servant just like you and your brothers and sisters, the prophets, and those who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!"
10. Then he said to me, "Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy contained in this scroll, because the time is near.
11. Let those who do wrong keep doing what is wrong. Let the filthy still be filthy. Let those who are righteous keep doing what is right. Let those who are holy still be holy.
12. "Look! I’m coming soon. My reward is with me, to repay all people as their actions deserve.
13. I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
14. Favored are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right of access to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
15. Outside are the dogs, the drug users and spell-casters, those who commit sexual immorality, the murderers, the idolaters, and all who love and practice deception.
16. "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to bear witness to all of you about these things for the churches. I’m the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.
17. The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who is thirsty come! Let the one who wishes receive life-giving water as a gift."