Book of Common Prayer

The Lamb stands upon mount Zion, and the undefiled congregation with him. The angel exhorts to the fear of God, and tells of the fall of Babylon.

14 And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on mount Zion, and with him 144,000 having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. ² And I heard a voice from heaven as the sound of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder. And I heard the sound of harpers harping with their harps, ³ and they sang as it were a new song before the seat, and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn that song except the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth. ⁴ These are they who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from mankind, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. ⁵ And in their mouths was found no guile. For they are without spot before the throne of God.

⁶ And I saw an angel fly in the midst of heaven, having an everlasting gospel to preach to those who sit and dwell on the earth, and to all nations, kindreds, and tongues, and people, ⁷ saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give honour to him, for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the springs of water.

⁸ And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city. For she made all nations drink of the wine of her fornication.

⁹ And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any one worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark in his forehead or on his hand, ¹⁰ the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured in the cup of his wrath. And he will be punished in fire and brimstone before the holy angels and before the Lamb. ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment ascends up evermore. And they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the print of his name. ¹² Here is the patience of the saints. Here are they that keep the commandments and the faith of Jesus.

¹³ And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write: Blessed are the dead who die hereafter in the Lord, as the Spirit affirms, that they may rest from their labours; but their works shall follow them.

John is taken and beheaded. Christ feeds 5,000 men with five loaves and two fishes, and appears to his disciples by night upon the lake.

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus ² and said to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen again from death, and therefore are such miracles wrought by him! ³ For Herod had seized John, and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. ⁴ For John said to him, It is not lawful for you to have her. ⁵ But when Herod would have put him to death, he feared the people, because they counted John as a prophet.

⁶ But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod, ⁷ whereupon he promised with an oath that he would give her whatever she would ask. ⁸ And she, being first instructed by her mother, said, Give me here the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

⁹ And the king sorrowed. Nevertheless, because of his oath, and because of the people who were sitting also at the table, he commanded it to be given her. ¹⁰ And he sent and beheaded John in the prison. ¹¹ And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. ¹² And his disciples came and took up his body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.