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Revelation 5

1I saw on the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and the back, sealed with seven seals. 2I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and undo its seals?” 3No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or look into it. 4I wept bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look into it. 5One of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6I saw, in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as though slaughtered. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the one seated on the throne. 8When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones. 9They sing a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slaughtered and by your blood bought for God people from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they reign on the earth.”

11I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders. Their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 13I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Translation notes 3

5:1, 5–6 — Scroll, Lion, and Lamb. “On the right hand” can also be understood as “in the right hand.” John hears about a conquering Lion and sees a slaughtered Lamb standing; the change of image is not smoothed away. The Root of David is a royal title with an echo of Isaiah 11. The horns portray power; the text itself identifies the eyes with the seven spirits.

5:9–10 — People and reigning. “People” is supplied as the unexpressed object of “bought”; the base does not read “bought us.” It says “them” and “they reign,” with “they will reign” a significant textual alternative. These are differences in the Greek witnesses, not merely different English choices.

5:11–13 — Myriads and worship. A myriad is ten thousand; the multiplied expression depicts an immense company. The same blessing is directed to the enthroned one and the Lamb. “Holy ones” in verse 8 names God's people, not a later class of officially recognized saints.