The river of life

147.1-2: Zech 14.8; Rev 22.1-2.Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. 2Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me round on the outside to the outer gate, that faces toward the east;47.2 Heb obscure and the water was coming out on the south side.

3Going on eastward with a line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. 4Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the loins. 5Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. 6And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?”

Then he led me back along the bank of the river. 7As I went back, I saw upon the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the stagnant waters of the sea,47.8 Compare Syr: Heb into the sea to the sea those that were made to issue forth the water will become fresh. 9And wherever the river47.9 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb two rivers goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea47.9 Compare Syr: Heb lacks the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. 10Fishermen will stand beside the sea; from En-ge'di to En-eg'laim it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. 11But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. 12And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

13Thus says the Lord GOD: “These are the boundaries by which you shall divide the land for inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions. 14And you shall divide it equally; I swore to give it to your fathers, and this land shall fall to you as your inheritance.

15“This shall be the boundary of the land: On the north side, from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon to the entrance of Hamath, and on to Zedad,47.15 Gk: Heb the entrance of Zedad, Hamath 16Bero'thah, Sib'raim (which lies on the border between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazerhatticon, which is on the border of Hauran. 17So the boundary shall run from the sea to Hazar-e'non, which is on the northern border of Damascus, with the border of Hamath to the north.47.17 Heb obscure This shall be the north side.

18“On the east side, the boundary shall run from Hazar-e'non47.18 Cn: Heb lacks Hazar-e'non between Hauran and Damascus;47.18 Heb obscure along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel; to the eastern sea and as far as Tamar.47.18 Compare Syr: Heb you shall measure This shall be the east side.

19“On the south side, it shall run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribath-ka'desh, thence along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This shall be the south side.

20“On the west side, the Great Sea shall be the boundary to a point opposite the entrance of Hamath. This shall be the west side.

21“So you shall divide this land among you according to the tribes of Israel. 22You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who reside among you and have begotten children among you. They shall be to you as native-born sons of Israel; with you they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. 23In whatever tribe the alien resides, there you shall assign him his inheritance, says the Lord GOD.