The Lamb Takes the Scroll

5 Then I saw in the right hand of the One seated on the throne a scroll with writing on the inside and on the back, g sealed with seven seals. h 2 I also saw a mighty angel i proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. 4 And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open j the scroll or even to look in it.

5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, k the Root of David, l has been victorious m so that He may open the scroll and n its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb o standing between p the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God q sent into all the earth. 7 He came and took the scroll r out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne.

The Lamb Is Worthy

8 When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp s and gold bowls t filled with incense, u which are the prayers of the * saints. 9 And they sang a new song: v

You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because You were slaughtered,

and You * redeemed w people x

for God by Your blood

from every tribe and language

and people and nation. y

10 You made them a kingdom z

and priests to our God, a

and they will reign on the earth.

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. b 12 They said with a loud voice:

The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy

to receive power and riches

and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and blessing!

13 I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, c on the sea, and everything in them say: d

Blessing and honor and glory and dominion

to the One seated on the throne,

and to the Lamb, forever and ever!

14 The four living creatures said, “* Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.