The Scroll and the Seven Seals
1Then I saw, in the right hand of the one seated on the throne, a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in 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 look inside it. 4I wept and wept, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. 5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed, and he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Worthy Is the Lamb
6Then I saw, standing in the middle of the throne, between the four living creatures and the elders, a Lamb, looking as if it had been slaughtered. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one seated on the throne. 8When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each held a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints, 9and they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered, and with your blood you purchased for God people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.” 11Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels encircling the throne, the living creatures, and the elders — myriads of myriads, thousands of thousands — 12saying in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and everything in them, saying: “To the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” 14And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
