Bible Gateway passage: Revelation 5 - New International Version (2024)

The Scroll and the Lamb

5Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne^(A) a scroll with writing on both sides^(B) and sealed^(C) with seven seals. ²And I saw a mighty angel^(D) proclaiming in a loud voice, “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 or even look inside it. ⁴I wept and wept 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 weep! See, the Lion^(E) of the tribe of Judah,^(F) the Root of David,^(G) has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

⁶Then I saw a Lamb,^(H) looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures^(I) and the elders.^(J) The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes,^(K) which are the seven spirits^[a](L) of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.^{(M) 8}And when he had taken it, the four living creatures^(N) and the twenty-four elders^(O) fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp^(P) and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers^(Q) of God’s people. ⁹And they sang a new song, saying:^(R)

“You are worthy^(S) to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood^(T) you purchased^(U) for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.^(V)
10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests^(W) to serve our God,
and they will reign^[b] on the earth.”^(X)

¹¹Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.^(Y) They encircled the throne and the living creatures^(Z) and the elders.^{(AA) 12}In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb,^(AB) who was slain,^(AC)
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”^(AD)

¹³Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth^(AE) and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne^(AF) and to the Lamb^(AG)
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”^(AH)

¹⁴The four living creatures^(AI) said, “Amen,”^(AJ) and the elders^(AK) fell down and worshiped.^(AL)

Footnotes

1. Revelation 5:6 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
2. Revelation 5:10 Some manuscripts they reign

Cross references

1. Revelation 5:1 : ver 7, 13; Rev 4:2, 9; 6:16
2. Revelation 5:1 : Eze 2:9, 10
3. Revelation 5:1 : Isa 29:11; Da 12:4
4. Revelation 5:2 : Rev 10:1
5. Revelation 5:5 : Ge 49:9
6. Revelation 5:5 : S Heb 7:14
7. Revelation 5:5 : Isa 11:1, 10; Ro 15:12; Rev 22:16
8. Revelation 5:6 : ver 8, 9, 12, 13; S Jn 1:29
9. Revelation 5:6 : S Rev 4:6
10. Revelation 5:6 : S Rev 4:4
11. Revelation 5:6 : Zec 4:10
12. Revelation 5:6 : S Rev 1:4
13. Revelation 5:7 : S ver 1
14. Revelation 5:8 : S Rev 4:6
15. Revelation 5:8 : S Rev 4:4
16. Revelation 5:8 : Rev 14:2; 15:2
17. Revelation 5:8 : Ps 141:2; Rev 8:3, 4
18. Revelation 5:9 : Ps 40:3; 98:1; 149:1; Isa 42:10; Rev 14:3, 4
19. Revelation 5:9 : Rev 4:11
20. Revelation 5:9 : Heb 9:12
21. Revelation 5:9 : S 1Co 6:20
22. Revelation 5:9 : S Rev 13:7
23. Revelation 5:10 : S 1Pe 2:5
24. Revelation 5:10 : Rev 3:21; 20:4
25. Revelation 5:11 : Da 7:10; Heb 12:22; Jude 14
26. Revelation 5:11 : S Rev 4:6
27. Revelation 5:11 : S Rev 4:4
28. Revelation 5:12 : ver 13
29. Revelation 5:12 : ver 9
30. Revelation 5:12 : Rev 1:6; 4:11
31. Revelation 5:13 : ver 3; Php 2:10
32. Revelation 5:13 : S ver 1, 7
33. Revelation 5:13 : ver 6; Rev 6:16; 7:10
34. Revelation 5:13 : 1Ch 29:11; Mal 1:6; 2:2; S Ro 11:36
35. Revelation 5:14 : S Rev 4:6
36. Revelation 5:14 : Rev 4:9
37. Revelation 5:14 : S Rev 4:4
38. Revelation 5:14 : Rev 4:10