The Seals

6 I watched as the Lamb^(A) opened the first of the seven seals.^(B) Then I heard one of the four living creatures^(C) say in a voice like thunder,^(D) “Come!”

The Scroll and the Lamb

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne^(A) a scroll with writing on both sides^(B) and sealed^(C) with seven seals.

⁶ Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude,^(A) like the roar of rushing waters^(B) and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

⁷ When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature^(A) say, “Come!”

⁵ When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature^(A) say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse!^(B) Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.

¹⁹ Then God’s temple^(A) in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant.^(B) And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder,^(C) an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.^(D)

⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion^(A) of the tribe of Judah,^(B) the Root of David,^(C) has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

⁶ Then I saw a Lamb,^(D) looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures^(E) and the elders.^(F) The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes,^(G) which are the seven spirits^[a](H) of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.^(I)

⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.^(A) In front of the throne, seven lamps^(B) were blazing. These are the seven spirits^[a](C) of God. ⁶ Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass,^(D) clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures,^(E) and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.^{(F) 7} The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.^(G)

² And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters^(A) and like a loud peal of thunder.^(B) The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.^(C)