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.

⁴⁹ I have come to send fire on earth. And what is my desire, but that it were already kindled? ⁵⁰ But I must be baptized with a baptism – and how I am pained till it be ended! ⁵¹ Do you suppose that I have come to send peace on earth? I tell you no, but rather division. ⁵² For from henceforth there will be five in one house, divided three against two, and two against three. ⁵³ The father will be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

⁵⁴ Then he said to the people, When you see a cloud rise out of the west, straightaway you say we will have a rain shower, and so it is. ⁵⁵ And when you see the south wind blow, you say we will have heat, and it comes to pass. ⁵⁶ Hypocrites, you know how to interpret the aspect of the earth and of the sky, but why is it that you cannot interpret this present time?

⁵⁷ Yea, and why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? ⁵⁸ When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, as you are in the way, be diligent to be delivered from him, lest he bring you to the judge, and the judge commit you to the jailer, and the jailer cast you into prison. ⁵⁹ I tell you, you will not get out of there until you have made good the last mite.