The Lamb Takes the Scroll

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 above[fn] [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[fn] 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 us for God

from[fn] every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

10 

You have made them[fn] {to be} kings[fn]

and priests to [ serve ] our God,

and they will reign upon[fn] the earth.”

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