The Lamb Takes the Scroll

1Then I saw in the right hand of the One seated on the throne a scroll with writing on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.a 2I also saw a mighty angelb 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 even to look in it. 4And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to openc the scroll or even to look in it.

5Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah,d the Root of David,e has been victoriousf so that He may open the scroll andg its seven seals.” 6Then I saw One like a slaughtered lambh standing betweeni the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of Godj sent into all the earth. 7He came and took the scrollk 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 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harpl and gold bowlsm filled with incense,n which are the prayers of the •saints. 9And they sang a new song:o

You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because You were slaughtered,

and You •redeemedp peopleq

for God by Your blood

from every tribe and language

and people and nation.r

10You made them a kingdoms

and priests to our God,t

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.u 12They 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!

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

Blessing and honor and glory and dominion

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.