Book of Common Prayer

He sees the Lamb taking the scroll to open it, and for this the four living creatures, the 24 elders, and the angels, praise the Lamb and worship him.

5 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat in the throne a scroll written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a strong angel who cried with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose the seals thereof? ³ And no man in heaven or on earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the scroll, nor to look on it. ⁴ And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and to read the scroll, neither to look on it.

⁵ And one of the elders said to me, Weep not! Behold, a lion being of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose the seven seals thereof.

⁶ And I looked, and lo, in the midst of the seat and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though he had been killed, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the spirits of God sent into all the world. ⁷ And he came and took the scroll out of the right hand of him that sat upon the seat.

⁸ And when he had taken the scroll, the four creatures and 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, having harps and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals. For you were killed, and have redeemed us by your blood out of all kindreds and tongues and people and nations, ¹⁰ and have made us kings and priests unto our God, and we shall reign on the earth.

¹¹ And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and around the living creatures and the elders. And I heard thousands of thousands ¹² saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was killed to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing! ¹³ And all the creatures that are in heaven and on the earth, and under the earth and in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, Blessing, honour, glory, and power be to him who sits upon the seat, and to the Lamb forevermore! ¹⁴ And the four living creatures said, Amen! And the 24 elders fell upon their faces and worshipped him who lives forevermore.

In this chapter and the two next following is contained the most excellent and loving sermon of Christ in the Mount, which sermon is the very key that opens the understanding into the law. In this fifth chapter especially, he preaches of the 8 beatitudes, or blessings; of manslaughter, wrath, and anger; of adultery, of swearing, of suffering wrong; and of love, even toward a person’s enemies.

5 When Jesus saw the crowds of people, he went up into a mountain. And when he was seated, his disciples came to him. ² And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: