The Scroll and the Lamb

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throneo a scroll with writing on both sidesp and sealedq with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angelr proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lions of the tribe of Judah,t the Root of David,u has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb,v looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creaturesw and the elders.x The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes,y which are the seven spiritsa z of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.a 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creaturesb and the twenty-four eldersc fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harpd and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayerse of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:f

“You are worthyg to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your bloodh you purchasedi for God

persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.j

10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priestsk to serve our God,

and they will reignb on the earth.”l

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.m They encircled the throne and the living creaturesn and the elders.o 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb,p who was slain,q

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!”r

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earths and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the thronet and to the Lambu

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!”v

14 The four living creaturesw said, “Amen,”x and the eldersy fell down and worshiped.z

The Seals

6 I watched as the Lamba opened the first of the seven seals.b Then I heard one of the four living creaturesc say in a voice like thunder,d “Come!”