1Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. The scroll had writing on both sides. It was sealed with seven seals.2I saw a mighty angel calling out in a loud voice. He said, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll. No one could even look inside it.4I cried and cried. That’s because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.5Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not cry! The Lion of the tribe of Judah has won the battle. He is the Root of David. He is able to break the seven seals and open the scroll.’6Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if he had been put to death. He stood at the centre of the area around the throne. The Lamb was surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes. The eyes stand for the seven spirits of God, which are sent out into all the earth.7The Lamb went and took the scroll. He took it from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.8Then the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down in front of the Lamb. Each one had a harp. They were holding golden bowls full of incense. They stand for the prayers of God’s people.9Here is the new song they sang. ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals. You are worthy because you were put to death. With your blood you bought people for God. They come from every tribe, people and nation, no matter what language they speak.10You have made them members of a royal family. You have made them priests to serve our God. They will rule on the earth.’11Then I looked and heard the voice of millions and millions of angels. They surrounded the throne. They surrounded the living creatures and the elders.12In a loud voice they were saying, ‘The Lamb, who was put to death, is worthy! He is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength! He is worthy to receive honour and glory and praise!’13All creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea were speaking. The whole creation was speaking. I heard all of them say, ‘Praise and honour belong to the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb! Glory and power belong to God for ever and ever!’14The four living creatures said, ‘Amen’. And the elders fell down and worshipped.
Revelation 5
English Standard Version
The Scroll and the Lamb
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. (Isa 29:11; Eze 2:9; Da 12:4)2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” (Re 10:1; Re 18:21)3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,4and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.5And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Ge 49:9; Isa 11:1; Isa 11:10; Ro 15:12; Heb 7:14; Re 22:16)6And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Isa 53:7; Zec 3:9; Zec 4:10; Joh 1:29; Joh 1:36; 1Pe 1:19; Re 1:4; Re 5:9; Re 5:12; Re 13:8)7And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.8And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Ps 141:2; Re 4:10; Re 8:3; Re 14:2; Re 15:2; Re 15:7)9And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, (Ps 33:3; Da 3:4; 2Pe 2:1; Re 5:6; Re 7:9; Re 11:9; Re 14:3; Re 14:6)10and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Re 1:6)11Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, (Da 7:10; Heb 12:22)12saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Re 4:11)13And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Ps 145:21; Ps 150:6)14And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Re 4:10; Re 5:8; Re 7:12; Re 19:4)