The Lamb Takes the Scroll

5 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the [One] seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides [and was] sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”

3 [But] no one in heaven [or] on earth [or] under the earth was able to open the scroll [or] look inside it. 4 And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll [or] look inside it.

5 Then one of the elders said to me, “{Do} not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in [the] center of the throne, [encircled by] the four living creatures and the elders. [The Lamb] had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits[fn] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took [the scroll] from the right hand of the [One] seated on the throne.

8 When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

9 And they sang a new song “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God [those] from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

10 You have made them {to be} a kingdom and priests to [ serve ] our God, and they will reign upon[fn] the earth.”