The Lamb Takes the Scroll

1Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals.a 2I also saw a mighty angela proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? ” 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. 4I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to openA the scroll or even to look in it. 5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah,a the Root of David,b has conqueredc so that he is able to open the scroll andA its seven seals.”

6Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamba standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of Godb sent into all the earth. 7He went and took the scroll out of the right hand of the one seated on the throne.

The Lamb Is Worthy

8When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harpa and golden bowlsb filled with incense,c which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song:a

You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slaughtered,

and you purchasedA peopleB

for God by your blood

from every tribe and language

and people and nation.b

10You made them a kingdomA

and priests to our God,a

and they will reign on the earth.

11Then 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.a 12They said with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered

to receive power and riches

and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and blessing!

13I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth,a on the sea, and everything in them say,b

Blessing and honor and glory and power

be to the one seated on the throne,

and to the Lamb, forever and ever!

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