羔羊与封印的书卷
1接着，我看见坐在宝座上的那位右手拿着一卷内外写着字、用七个印封住的书。 2有一位大力天使高声问道：“谁有资格揭开那七个封印，打开那卷书？” 3可是，天上、地上、甚至地底下都没有人有资格揭开并阅读那卷书。 4我见无人有资格揭开并阅读那卷书，便放声大哭。 5有一位长老对我说：“不要哭。你看，犹大支派的狮子、大卫的根已经得胜了！祂能揭开那七个封印，打开那卷书。”
6我又看到宝座、四个活物和众长老之间站着一只好像是被宰杀过的羔羊。祂身上的七只角和七只眼睛代表奉差遣到普天下去的上帝的七灵。 7那羔羊走上前去，从坐在宝座上的那位右手中接过书卷。 8祂拿过书卷后，四个活物和二十四位长老就俯伏在羔羊面前，各拿着竖琴和盛满了香的金香炉。那些香就是众圣徒的祈祷。 9他们唱着一首新歌：
“你配拿书卷并揭开封印，
因你曾被杀，
用你的血从各部落、各语言族群、各民族、各国家，
将人买赎回来归给上帝。
10你又使他们成为上帝的国度和祭司，
他们要在地上执掌王权。”
11我看见宝座、四个活物和众长老的周围有千千万万的天使，又听见他们高声呼喊： 12“那被杀的羔羊配得权柄、财富、智慧、能力、尊贵、荣耀和颂赞！”
13我又听到天上、地上、地底下和海洋中一切被造之物同声说：“愿颂赞、尊贵、荣耀和权柄都归于坐在宝座上的那位和羔羊，直到永永远远！” 14四个活物就说：“阿们！”众长老也俯伏敬拜。
The Scroll and the Lamb
1Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. The scroll had writing on both sides. It was sealed with seven seals. 2I saw a mighty angel calling out in a loud voice. He said, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll. No one could even look inside it. 4I cried and cried. That’s because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not cry! The Lion of the tribe of Judah has won the battle. He is the Root of David. He is able to break the seven seals and open the scroll.”
6Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if he had been put to death. He stood at the center of the area around the throne. The Lamb was surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes. The eyes stand for the seven spirits of God, which are sent out into all the earth. 7The Lamb went and took the scroll. He took it from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8Then the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down in front of the Lamb. Each one had a harp. They were holding golden bowls full of incense. They stand for the prayers of God’s people. 9Here is the new song they sang.
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break open its seals.
You are worthy because you were put to death.
With your blood you bought people for God.
They come from every tribe, people and nation,
no matter what language they speak.
10You have made them members of a royal family.
You have made them priests to serve our God.
They will rule on the earth.”
11Then I looked and heard the voice of millions and millions of angels. They surrounded the throne. They surrounded the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they were saying,
“The Lamb, who was put to death, is worthy!
He is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength!
He is worthy to receive honor and glory and praise!”
13All creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea were speaking. The whole creation was speaking. I heard all of them say,
“Praise and honor belong
to the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!
Glory and power belong to God for ever and ever!”
14The four living creatures said, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
