⁴ I looked, and I saw a windstorm^(A) coming out of the north^(B)—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal,^{(C) 5} and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures.^(D) In appearance their form was human,^{(E) 6} but each of them had four faces^(F) and four wings.

⁹ and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.^(A)

¹² Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.^{(A) 13} The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals^(B) of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning^(C) flashed out of it. ¹⁴ The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.^(D)

¹⁵ As I looked at the living creatures,^(E) I saw a wheel^(F) on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. ¹⁶ This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz,^(G) and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. ¹⁷ As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction^(H) as the creatures went. ¹⁸ Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes^(I) all around.

¹⁹ When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose.

²¹ When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.^(A)

²⁴ When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing^(A) waters, like the voice^(B) of the Almighty,^[a] like the tumult of an army.^(C) When they stood still, they lowered their wings.

²⁵ Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. ²⁶ Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne^(D) of lapis lazuli,^(E) and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.^(F)

²⁸ Like the appearance of a rainbow^(A) in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.^(B)

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory^(C) of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown,^(D) and I heard the voice of one speaking.