Revelation 5

1 Then I saw [beheld, perceived] a scroll [book, written document] in the right [the position of honor] hand of the One [the Almighty, eternal God] seated [sitting in authority] on the throne [the seat of power]. It had writing [written words] on both sides [inside and out] and was sealed [securely closed] with seven [complete or perfect] seals [marks of authentication]. word study 2 And I saw [beheld, perceived] a mighty [strong, powerful] angel [messenger of God] proclaiming [preaching, heralding] in a loud [great, intense] voice, “Who [which one, what person] is worthy [deserving, suitable] to break [loose, undo] the seals [signets, marks of authority] and open [make accessible, unveil] the scroll [book, written document]?” word study 3 But no one [none, nobody] in heaven [the spiritual realm, the sky] or on earth [the physical world, the ground] or under the earth [beneath the surface, in the underworld] was able [had the power, capable] to open [to unlock, to unseal] the scroll [a written document, a book] or look [to see, to gaze] inside it [within its contents, into its depths]. word study 4 And I began [to weep much, to cry out loud] to weep bitterly [with intense sorrow], because no one [none, nobody] was found worthy [deserving, suitable] to open [to make accessible] the scroll [a written document, book] or [neither] look inside [to see, to behold] it. word study 5 Then one of the elders [a respected leader, an older person] said to me, “Do not weep [mourn, cry out loud]! Behold, the Lion [the Messiah] of the tribe of Judah [the royal lineage, a region in Palestine], the Root [the source, the origin] of David [King David, an important figure in Israel’s history], has triumphed [overcome, prevailed] to open [make accessible, reveal] the scroll [a written document, a book] and its seven seals [a signet, a mark of protection].” word study 6 Then I saw a Lamb [a symbol of innocence and purity] who appeared to have been slain [as though it had been sacrificed], standing in the center [midst] of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures [beings with divine life] and the elders [respected leaders]. The Lamb had seven horns [symbols of perfect power] and seven eyes, which represent [signify, stand for] the seven Spirits of God [the perfect Spirit of the one true God] sent out into all the earth [the entire world, every land]. word study 7 And He came [and went, approached] and took [received, accepted] the scroll [book, written document] from the right [de Xia, the place of honor] hand of the One [Him, the sovereign Lord] seated [sitting, enthroned] on the throne [the seat of power, authority]. word study 8 When He had taken the scroll [book, written document], the four living creatures [beasts, living things] and the twenty-four elders [rulers, respected leaders] fell down [prostrated themselves, knelt down] before the Lamb [a symbol of innocence and purity]. Each one had a harp [lyre, musical instrument], and they were holding golden bowls [vials, shallow cups] full of incense [fragrant powder, perfume], which are [represent, symbolize] the prayers [requests, worship] of the saints [holy ones, set apart]. word study 9 And they sang a new [fresh, recently composed] song: “Worthy [deserving, having merit] are You to take the scroll [book, written document] and open its seals [locks, protections], because You were slain [killed, sacrificed], and by Your blood [life, atoning sacrifice] You purchased [bought, redeemed] for God [the supreme Deity] those from every tribe [family, clan] and tongue [language, dialect] and people [nation, group] and nation [Gentiles, non-Jewish people]. word study 10 You have made them [to be a people over whom our God rules] to be a kingdom [kings, sovereign rulers] and priests [those who serve God, spiritual leaders] to serve our God [the one true deity], and they will reign [have authority, rule] upon [over, on] the earth [the land, the material world].” word study 11 Then I looked [saw, gazed intently], and I heard [listened, perceived] the voices [sounds, noises] of many [a multitude, a vast number] angels [messengers, heavenly beings] and living creatures [beings, living things] and elders [respected leaders, spiritual guides] encircling [surrounding, encompassing] the throne [seat of power, authority], and their number [quantity, amount] was myriads [tens of thousands, an innumerable multitude] of myriads [tens of thousands] and thousands [a large number, an abundance] of thousands [an immense multitude]. word study 12 In a loud [great, with a strong and clear] voice they were saying: “Worthy [deserving, suitable] is the Lamb [the innocent and pure sacrifice], who was slain [killed, slaughtered], to receive [take, accept] power [strength, ability] and riches [wealth, material possessions] and wisdom [higher understanding, spiritual insight] and strength [physical or spiritual ability] and honor [esteem, value] and glory [praise, admiration] and blessing [praise, benediction]!” word study 13 And I heard every [created thing] creature in heaven [the sky and God’s dwelling place] and on earth [the land, the physical world] and under the earth [beneath the surface, the underworld] and in the sea [the ocean, the deep], and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits [is seated, resides] on the throne [the seat of authority, power] and to the Lamb [the innocent, pure sacrifice] be praise [adoration, worship] and honor [glory, esteem] and glory [majesty, splendor] and power [strength, dominion] forever [for all eternity, always] and ever [without end, perpetually]!” word study 14 And the four living [living beings, creatures] creatures said, “Amen [so be it, may it be so],” and the elders [respected leaders, older men] fell down [collapsed, prostrated themselves] and worshiped [showed reverence, honored]. word study