NET Bible

The Opening of the Scroll

^5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the front and back and sealed with seven seals. ^5:2 And I saw a powerful angel proclaiming in a loud voice: “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” ^5:3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it. ^5:4 So I began weeping bitterly because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. ^5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered; thus he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

^5:6 Then I saw standing in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been killed. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ^5:7 Then he came and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne, ^5:8 and when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders threw themselves to the ground before the Lamb. Each of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of the saints). ^5:9 They were singing a new song:

^5:9 “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation. ^5:10 You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

^5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand —thousands times thousands— ^5:12 all of whom were singing in a loud voice:

^5:12 “Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise!”

^5:13 Then I heard every creature—in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them—singing:

^5:13 “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power forever and ever!”

^5:14 And the four living creatures were saying “Amen,” and the elders threw themselves to the ground and worshiped.