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Read the Bible

Easy-to-Read Version

Revelation 22:18

I warn everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds anything to these, God will give that person the plagues written about in this book.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Plague;   Readings, Select;   Word of God;   Thompson Chain Reference - Future, the;   Heaven;   Heavenly;   Home;   Living Water;   Water;   Water of Life;   Wells;   The Topic Concordance - Kingdom of God;   Name;   Plague;   Prophecy and Prophets;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Prophecy;   Scriptures, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Apocalyptic literature;   Inspiration;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Obedience;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Works, Good;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Canon of the Old Testament;   Revelation of John, the;   Tradition;   Holman Bible Dictionary - False Prophet;   Prophecy, Prophets;   Revelation, the Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Revelation, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Apocalypse;   Aristeas ;   Isaiah ;   Plague;   Reading ;   Teaching ;   Word;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Inspiration;   Revelation, the;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Add;   Assemblies, Masters of;   Epistle;   Revelation of John:;   Text and Manuscripts of the New Testament;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Polemics and Polemical Literature;   Troki;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for October 29;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.
King James Version (1611)
For I testifie vnto euery man that heareth the wordes of the prophesie of this booke, If any man shal adde vnto these things, God shall adde vnto him the plagues, that are written in this booke.
King James Version
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
New American Standard Bible
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
New Century Version
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to these words, God will add to that person the disasters written about in this book.
THE MESSAGE
I give fair warning to all who hear the words of the prophecy of this book: If you add to the words of this prophecy, God will add to your life the disasters written in this book; if you subtract from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will subtract your part from the Tree of Life and the Holy City that are written in this book.
English Standard Version
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;
Berean Standard Bible
I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.
Contemporary English Version
Here is my warning for everyone who hears the prophecies in this book: If you add anything to them, God will make you suffer all the terrible troubles written in this book.
Complete Jewish Bible
I warn everyone hearing the words of the prophecy in this book that if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.
Darby Translation
*I* testify to every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any one shall add to these things, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For I protest vnto euery man that heareth the woordes of the prophecie of this booke, If any man shal adde vnto these things, God shall adde vnto him the plagues, that are written in this booke:
George Lamsa Translation
I testify to every man who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book:
Good News Translation
I, John, solemnly warn everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: if any add anything to them, God will add to their punishment the plagues described in this book.
Lexham English Bible
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.
Literal Translation
For I testify together with everyone hearing the Words of the prophecy of this Book, if anyone adds to these things, God will add upon him the plagues having been written in this Book.
Amplified Bible
I testify and warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [its predictions, consolations, and admonitions]: if anyone adds [anything] to them, God will add to him the plagues (afflictions, calamities) which are written in this book;
American Standard Version
I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:
Bible in Basic English
For I say to every man to whose ears have come the words of this prophet's book, If any man makes an addition to them, God will put on him the punishments which are in this book:
Hebrew Names Version
I testify to every man who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.
International Standard Version
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy in this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will strike him with the plagues that are written in this book.Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
I testify to every one who heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, That if any man shall set upon them, Aloha will set upon him the plagues which are written in this book.
Murdock Translation
I testify to every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, that if any one shall add to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
I testifie vnto euery man that heareth the wordes of ye prophecie of this booke: If any man shall adde vnto these thynges, God shall adde vnto hym the plagues that are written in this booke.
English Revised Version
I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:
World English Bible
I testify to every man who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I testify to every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man add to them, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book.
Weymouth's New Testament
"I solemnly declare to every one who hears the words of the prophecy contained in this book, that if any one adds to those words, God will add to him the plagues spoken of in this book;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And I witnesse to ech man herynge the wordis of prophesie of this book, if ony man schal putte to these thingis, God schal putte on hym the veniauncis writun in this book.
Update Bible Version
I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book:
Webster's Bible Translation
For I testify to every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book:
New English Translation
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy contained in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.
New King James Version
For [fn] I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add [fn] to him the plagues that are written in this book;
New Living Translation
And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.
New Life Bible
I am telling everyone who hears the words that are written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written in this book, God will add to him the kinds of trouble that this book tells about.
New Revised Standard
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I, bear witness, unto every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this scroll: - If anyone shall lay aught upon them, God, will lay upon him, the plagues which are written in this scroll;
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I testify to every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues written in this book.
Revised Standard Version
I warn every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I testifye vnto every man that heareth the wordes of prophesy of thys boke. yf eny man shall adde vnto these thynges god shall adde vnto him the plages that are wrytten in this boke.
Young's Literal Translation
`For I testify to every one hearing the words of the prophecy of this scroll, if any one may add unto these, God shall add to him the plagues that have been written in this scroll,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I testifye vnto euery man that heareth the wordes of prophesy of this boke yf eny man shal adde vnto these thinges, God shal adde vnto him the plages that are wrytten in this boke.
Mace New Testament (1729)
"I declare to every one that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if any one shall add to these things, God shall strike him with the plagues that are written in this book:
Simplified Cowboy Version
I, John, am warning anyone who listens to the words of this book that they cannot add anything to it. If they do, God will punish them like the plagues described in this book.

Contextual Overview

6 Then the angel said to me, "These words are true and can be trusted. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon: 7 ‘Listen, I am coming soon! Great blessings belong to the one who obeys the words of prophecy in this book.'" 8 I am John. I am the one who heard and saw these things. After I heard and saw them, I bowed down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. 9 But the angel said to me, "Don't worship me! I am a servant like you and your brothers the prophets. I am a servant like all those who obey the words in this book. You should worship God!" 10 Then the angel told me, "Don't keep secret the words of prophecy in this book. The time is near for these things to happen. 11 Let anyone who is doing wrong continue to do wrong. Let anyone who is unclean continue to be unclean. Let anyone who is doing right continue to do right. Let anyone who is holy continue to be holy." 12 "Listen, I am coming soon! I will bring rewards with me. I will repay everyone for what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 "Great blessings belong to those who have washed their robes. They will have the right to eat the food from the tree of life. They can go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside the city are all those who live like dogs—those who do evil magic, those who sin sexually, those who murder, those who worship idols, and those who love to lie and pretend to be good.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

testify: Revelation 22:16, Revelation 3:14, Ephesians 4:17, 1 Thessalonians 4:6

heareth: Revelation 1:3

If: Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:6, Matthew 15:6-9, Matthew 15:13

God: Revelation 14:10, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 15:1, Revelation 16:1, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 20:15, Leviticus 26:18, Leviticus 26:24, Leviticus 26:25, Leviticus 26:28, Leviticus 26:37

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:14 - send all Nehemiah 13:15 - I testified Isaiah 28:22 - lest Jeremiah 36:32 - there Matthew 15:9 - teaching Mark 7:7 - the commandments Galatians 1:8 - though Galatians 1:9 - than Revelation 22:20 - which

Cross-References

Genesis 18:18
Abraham will become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations on earth will be blessed because of him.
Genesis 22:1
After these things God decided to test Abraham's faith. God said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Yes!"
Genesis 22:3
In the morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took Isaac and two servants with him. He cut the wood for the sacrifice. Then they went to the place where God told them to go.
Genesis 22:4
After they traveled three days, Abraham looked up, and in the distance he saw the place where they were going.
Genesis 22:5
Then he said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go to that place and worship. Then we will come back to you later."
Genesis 22:8
Abraham answered, "God himself is providing the lamb for the sacrifice, my son." So both Abraham and his son went together to that place.
Genesis 22:9
When they came to the place where God told them to go, Abraham built an altar. He carefully laid the wood on the altar. Then he tied up his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood.
Genesis 22:10
Then Abraham reached for his knife to kill his son.
1 Samuel 2:30
"The Lord , the God of Israel, promised that your father's family would serve him forever. But now the Lord says, ‘That will never be! I will honor people who honor me, but bad things will happen to those who refuse to respect me.
Psalms 72:17
May the king be famous forever. May people remember his name as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him, and may they all bless him.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For I testify to every man,.... These are not the words of a scribe, who having wrote out a copy of this book, added the following adjuration to it, to deter persons from adding to it, or diminishing it; for the book is not yet finished, and both Christ and John speak after this; and to insert such a passage into the text would be a bold and daring action; nor are they even the words of John, the inspired writer of it, but of the Lord Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, as appears from Revelation 22:16 who in a most solemn manner declares to every man, high or low, rich or poor, of whatsoever character, or however dignified, either in a civil or ecclesiastic way,

that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book read or explained,

if any man shall add unto these things. To "add" to the things contained in this book, is not to deliver, or write an exposition of it, in a modest manner, with a sincere view to give light into it, agreeably to the analogy of faith; for to expound Scripture, or to preach from it, consistent with it, is not to add unto it, but to give the sense of it; but then may it be said to be added unto, and so this book, when it is wrested and perverted, and a false gloss is put upon it, as the Pharisees did upon the law; and when unwritten traditions are made to be equal to it, or above it, as the same persons made the traditions of the elders, whereby they transgressed the law, and made the word of God of none effect, and so broke through the precept given, Deuteronomy 4:2 as do the Papists in like manner; and when men pretend to visions and revelations, and make them the rule of faith and practice, and to confirm things that are neither in this book, nor in any other part of the word of God; and when men interpolate it, and set up human fictitious writings upon equal authority with it; which shows the authenticity of this book, and of all the whole Scripture, and the perfection of it, whose canon is closed with it: the punishment of such a crime follows,

God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book; the things threatened to the antichristian party, Revelation 2:22 the seven last plagues in which the wrath of God is filled up, which will be inflicted on the same, Revelation 16:1, the lake of fire and brimstone, into which the beast, the false prophet, the devil, and all wicked men will be cast, Revelation 19:20 see Proverbs 30:5.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For I testify - The writer does not specify who is meant by the word “I” in this place. The most natural construction is to refer it to the writer himself, and not to the angel, or the Saviour. The meaning is, “I bear this solemn witness, or make this solemn affirmation, in conclusion.” The object is to guard his book against being corrupted by any interpolation or change. It would seem not improbable, from this, that as early as the time of John, books were liable to be corrupted by additions or omissions, or that at least there was felt to be great danger that mistakes might be made by the carelessness of transcribers. Against this danger, John would guard this book in the most solemn manner. Perhaps he felt, too, that as this book would be necessarily regarded as obscure from the fact that symbols were so much used, there was great danger that changes would be made by well-meaning persons with a view to make it appear more plain.

Unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book - The word “heareth” seems here to be used in a very general sense. Perhaps in most cases persons would be made acquainted with the contents of the book by hearing it read in the churches; but still the spirit of the declaration must include all methods of becoming acquainted with it.

If any man shall add unto these things - With a view to furnish a more full and complete revelation; or with a profession that new truth had been communicated by inspiration. The reference here is to the book of Revelation only - for at that time the books that now constitute what we call the Bible were not collected into a single volume. This passage, therefore, should not be adduced as referring to the whole of the sacred Scriptures. Still, the principle is one that is thus applicable; for it is obvious that no one has a right to change any part of a revelation which God makes to man; to presume to add to it, or to take from it, or in any way to modify it. Compare the notes at 2 Timothy 3:16.

God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book - These “plagues” refer to the numerous methods described in this book as those in which God would bring severe judgment upon the persecutors of the church and the corrupters of religion. The meaning is, that such a person would be regarded as an enemy of his religion, and would share the fearful doom of all such enemies.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Revelation 22:18. If any man shall add — Shall give any other meaning to these prophecies, or any other application of them than God intends, he, though not originally intended, shall have the plagues threatened in this book for his portion.


 
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