The Scroll and the Lamb

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. And I saw a mighty angel(D) proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion(E) of the tribe of Judah,(F) the Root of David,(G) has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Then I saw a Lamb,(H) looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures(I) and the elders.(J) The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes,(K) which are the seven spirits[a](L) of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.(M) And when he had taken it, the four living creatures(N) and the twenty-four elders(O) fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp(P) and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers(Q) of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying:(R)

“You are worthy(S) to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood(T) you purchased(U) for God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.(V)
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests(W) to serve our God,
    and they will reign[b] on the earth.”(X)

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.(Y) They encircled the throne and the living creatures(Z) and the elders.(AA) 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb,(AB) who was slain,(AC)
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”(AD)

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth(AE) and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne(AF) and to the Lamb(AG)
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”(AH)

14 The four living creatures(AI) said, “Amen,”(AJ) and the elders(AK) fell down and worshiped.(AL)

The Seals

I watched as the Lamb(AM) opened the first of the seven seals.(AN) Then I heard one of the four living creatures(AO) say in a voice like thunder,(AP) “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse!(AQ) Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown,(AR) and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.(AS)

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature(AT) say, “Come!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one.(AU) Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth(AV) and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.

When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature(AW) say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse!(AX) Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures,(AY) saying, “Two pounds[c] of wheat for a day’s wages,[d] and six pounds[e] of barley for a day’s wages,[f](AZ) and do not damage(BA) the oil and the wine!”

When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature(BB) say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a pale horse!(BC) Its rider was named Death, and Hades(BD) was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.(BE)

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under(BF) the altar(BG) the souls of those who had been slain(BH) because of the word of God(BI) and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long,(BJ) Sovereign Lord,(BK) holy and true,(BL) until you judge the inhabitants of the earth(BM) and avenge our blood?”(BN) 11 Then each of them was given a white robe,(BO) and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,[g] were killed just as they had been.(BP)

12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake.(BQ) The sun turned black(BR) like sackcloth(BS) made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth,(BT) as figs drop from a fig tree(BU) when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up,(BV) and every mountain and island was removed from its place.(BW)

15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free,(BX) hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.(BY) 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us(BZ) and hide us[h] from the face of him who sits on the throne(CA) and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day(CB) of their[i] wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”(CC)

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 5:6 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
  2. Revelation 5:10 Some manuscripts they reign
  3. Revelation 6:6 Or about 1 kilogram
  4. Revelation 6:6 Greek a denarius
  5. Revelation 6:6 Or about 3 kilograms
  6. Revelation 6:6 Greek a denarius
  7. Revelation 6:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 12:10; 19:10.
  8. Revelation 6:16 See Hosea 10:8.
  9. Revelation 6:17 Some manuscripts his

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The Lamb Takes the Scroll

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne (A)a scroll written inside and on the back, (B)sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, (C)“Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open [a]and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, (D)the Lion of the tribe of (E)Judah, (F)the Root of David, has (G)prevailed to open the scroll (H)and [b]to loose its seven seals.”

And I looked, [c]and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood (I)a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and (J)seven eyes, which are (K)the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand (L)of Him who sat on the throne.

Worthy Is the Lamb

Now when He had taken the scroll, (M)the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the (N)prayers of the saints. And (O)they sang a new song, saying:

(P)“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And (Q)have redeemed us to God (R)by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made [d]us (S)kings[e] and (T)priests to our God;
And [f]we shall reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

13 And (U)every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

(V)“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him (W)who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and [g]ever!”

14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the [h]twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped [i]Him who lives forever and ever.

First Seal: The Conqueror

Now (X)I saw when the Lamb opened one of the [j]seals; and I heard (Y)one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, (Z)a white horse. (AA)He who sat on it had a bow; (AB)and a crown was given to him, and he went out (AC)conquering and to conquer.

Second Seal: Conflict on Earth

When He opened the second seal, (AD)I heard the second living creature saying, “Come [k]and see.” (AE)Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to (AF)take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth

When He opened the third seal, (AG)I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, (AH)a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of (AI)scales[l] in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A [m]quart of wheat for a [n]denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and (AJ)do not harm the oil and the wine.”

Fourth Seal: Widespread Death on Earth

When He opened the fourth seal, (AK)I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” (AL)So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And [o]power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, (AM)to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, (AN)and by the beasts of the earth.

Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under (AO)the altar (AP)the souls of those who had been slain (AQ)for the word of God and for (AR)the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, (AS)“How long, O Lord, (AT)holy and true, (AU)until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a (AV)white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them (AW)that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, (AX)and [p]behold, there was a great earthquake; and (AY)the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the [q]moon became like blood. 13 (AZ)And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 (BA)Then the sky [r]receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and (BB)every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the (BC)kings of the earth, the great men, [s]the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, (BD)hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 (BE)and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who (BF)sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, (BG)and who is able to stand?”

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 5:4 NU, M omit and read
  2. Revelation 5:5 NU, M omit to loose
  3. Revelation 5:6 NU, M I saw in the midst . . . a Lamb standing
  4. Revelation 5:10 NU, M them
  5. Revelation 5:10 NU a kingdom
  6. Revelation 5:10 NU, M they
  7. Revelation 5:13 M adds Amen
  8. Revelation 5:14 NU, M omit twenty-four
  9. Revelation 5:14 NU, M omit Him who lives forever and ever
  10. Revelation 6:1 NU, M seven seals
  11. Revelation 6:3 NU, M omit and see
  12. Revelation 6:5 balances
  13. Revelation 6:6 Gr. choinix, about 1 quart
  14. Revelation 6:6 About 1 day’s wage for a worker
  15. Revelation 6:8 authority
  16. Revelation 6:12 NU, M omit behold
  17. Revelation 6:12 NU, M whole moon
  18. Revelation 6:14 Or split apart
  19. Revelation 6:15 NU, M the commanders, the rich men,