The Bowls Of God's Anger (Revelation 16) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
1    Then I heard a mighty voice from the Temple say to the seven angels, “Go your ways and pour out on the earth the seven bowls containing God’s wrath.”
2    So the first angel left the Temple and poured out his bowl on the earth, and horrible, malignant sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue.
3    Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse. And everything in the sea died.
4    Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs, and they became blood.
5    And I heard the angel who had authority over all water saying, “You are just, O Holy One, who is and who always was, because you have sent these judgments.
6    Since they shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, you have given them blood to drink.

    It is their just reward.”

7    And I heard a voice from the altar, saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, your judgments are true and just.”

8    Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, causing it to scorch everyone with its fire. 

9    Everyone was burned by this blast of heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had control over all these plagues. They did not repent of their sins and turn to God and give him glory.

10  Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. His subjects ground their teeth in anguish, 

11  and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their evil deeds and turn to God.

12  Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies toward the west without hindrance. 

13  And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. 

14  They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.

15  “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

16  And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.

17  Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air. And a mighty shout came from the throne in the Temple, saying, “It is finished!” 

18  Then the thunder crashed and rolled, and lightning flashed. And a great earthquake struck—the worst since people were placed on the earth. 

19  The great city of Babylon split into three sections, and the cities of many nations fell into heaps of rubble. So God remembered all of Babylon’s sins, and he made her drink the cup that was filled with the wine of his fierce wrath. 

20  And every island disappeared, and all the mountains were leveled. 

21  There was a terrible hailstorm, and hailstones weighing as much as seventy-five pounds fell from the sky onto the people below. They cursed God because of the terrible plague of the hailstorm.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    Then I heard a loud voice speaking from the temple to the seven angels: “Go and pour out the seven bowls of God's anger on the earth!”

2    The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth. Terrible and painful sores appeared on those who had the mark of the beast and on those who had worshiped its image.

3    Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea. The water became like the blood of a dead person, and every living creature in the sea died.

4    Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and the springs of water, and they turned into blood. 

5    I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “The judgments you have made are just, O Holy One, you who are and who were! 

6    They poured out the blood of God's people and of the prophets, and so you have given them blood to drink. They are getting what they deserve!” 

7    Then I heard a voice from the altar saying, “Lord God Almighty! True and just indeed are your judgments!”

8    Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to burn people with its fiery heat. 

9    They were burned by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God, who has authority over these plagues. But they would not turn from their sins and praise his greatness.

10  Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast. Darkness fell over the beast's kingdom, and people bit their tongues because of their pain, 

11  and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not turn from their evil ways.

12  Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River. The river dried up, to provide a way for the kings who come from the east. 

13  Then I saw three unclean spirits that looked like frogs. They were coming out of the mouth of the dragon, the mouth of the beast, and the mouth of the false prophet. 

14  They are the spirits of demons that perform miracles. These three spirits go out to all the kings of the world, to bring them together for the battle on the great Day of Almighty God.

15  “Listen! I am coming like a thief! Happy is he who stays awake and guards his clothes, so that he will not walk around naked and be ashamed in public!”

16  Then the spirits brought the kings together in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

17  Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl in the air. A loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!” 

18  There were flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder, and a terrible earthquake. There has never been such an earthquake since the creation of human beings; this was the worst earthquake of all!

19  The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of all countries were destroyed. God remembered great Babylon and made her drink the wine from his cup—the wine of his furious anger. 

20  All the islands disappeared, all the mountains vanished. 

21  Huge hailstones, each weighing as much as a hundred pounds, fell from the sky on people, who cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because it was such a terrible plague.

The Song Of Moses And The Lamb (Revelation 15) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1  Then I saw in heaven another marvelous event of great significance. Seven angels were holding the seven last plagues, which would bring God’s wrath to completion. 

2  I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them.

3  And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:  “Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty.  Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.

4  Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name?  For you alone are holy.  All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed.”

5  Then I looked and saw that the Temple in heaven, God’s Tabernacle, was thrown wide open. 

6  The seven angels who were holding the seven plagues came out of the Temple. They were clothed in spotless white linen with gold sashes across their chests. 

7  Then one of the four living beings handed each of the seven angels a gold bowl filled with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 

8  The Temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and power. No one could enter the Temple until the seven angels had completed pouring out the seven plagues.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1  Then I saw in the sky another mysterious sight, great and amazing. There were seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last ones, because they are the final expression of God's anger.

2  Then I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. I also saw those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and over the one whose name is represented by a number. They were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps that God had given them 

3  and singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:  “Lord God Almighty, how great and wonderful are your deeds!  King of the nations, how right and true are your ways!

4  Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord?  Who will refuse to declare your greatness?  You alone are holy.

All the nations will come and worship you, because your just actions are seen by all.”

5  After this I saw the temple in heaven open, with the Sacred Tent in it. 

6  The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, dressed in clean shining linen and with gold bands tied around their chests. 

7  Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven gold bowls full of the anger of God, who lives forever and ever. 

8  The temple was filled with smoke from the glory and power of God, and no one could go into the temple until the seven plagues brought by the seven angels had come to an end.

The Harvest Of The Earth (Revelation 14:14-20) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

14  Then I saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was someone like the Son of Man. He had a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

15  Then another angel came from the Temple and shouted to the one sitting on the cloud, “Swing the sickle, for the time of harvest has come; the crop on earth is ripe.” 

16  So the one sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the whole earth was harvested.

17  After that, another angel came from the Temple in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 

18  Then another angel, who had power to destroy with fire, came from the altar. He shouted to the angel with the sharp sickle, “Swing your sickle now to gather the clusters of grapes from the vines of the earth, for they are ripe for judgment.” 

19  So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and loaded the grapes into the great winepress of God’s wrath. 

20  The grapes were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress in a stream about 180 miles long and as high as a horse’s bridle.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

14  Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was what looked like a human being, with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 
15  Then another angel came out from the temple and cried out in a loud voice to the one who was sitting on the cloud, “Use your sickle and reap the harvest, because the time has come; the earth is ripe for the harvest!” 
16  Then the one who sat on the cloud swung his sickle on the earth, and the earth's harvest was reaped.
17  Then I saw another angel come out of the temple in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle.
18  Then another angel, who is in charge of the fire, came from the altar. He shouted in a loud voice to the angel who had the sharp sickle, “Use your sickle, and cut the grapes from the vineyard of the earth, because the grapes are ripe!” 
19  So the angel swung his sickle on the earth, cut the grapes from the vine, and threw them into the wine press of God's furious anger. 
20  The grapes were squeezed out in the wine press outside the city, and blood came out of the wine press in a flood two hundred miles long and about five feet deep.

The Three Angels (Revelation 14:6-13) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

6    And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 

7    “Fear God,” he shouted. “Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water.”

8    Then another angel followed him through the sky, shouting, “Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen—because she made all the nations of the world drink the wine of her passionate immorality.”

9    Then a third angel followed them, shouting, “Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand 

10  must drink the wine of God’s anger. It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. 

11  The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.”

12  This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.

13  And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!”

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

6    Then I saw another angel flying high in the air, with an eternal message of Good News to announce to the peoples of the earth, to every race, tribe, language, and nation. 
7    He said in a loud voice, “Honor God and praise his greatness! For the time has come for him to judge all people. Worship him who made heaven, earth, sea, and the springs of water!”
8    A second angel followed the first one, saying, “She has fallen! Great Babylon has fallen! She made all peoples drink her wine—the strong wine of her immoral lust!”
9    A third angel followed the first two, saying in a loud voice, “Those who worship the beast and its image and receive the mark on their forehead or on their hand 
10  will themselves drink God's wine, the wine of his fury, which he has poured at full strength into the cup of his anger! All who do this will be tormented in fire and sulfur before the holy angels and the Lamb. 
11  The smoke of the fire that torments them goes up forever and ever. There is no relief day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, for anyone who has the mark of its name.”
12  This calls for endurance on the part of God's people, those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.
13  Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Happy are those who from now on die in the service of the Lord!”  "Yes indeed!” answers the Spirit. “They will enjoy rest from their hard work, because the results of their service go with them.”

The Lamb And His People (Revelation 14:1-5) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1  Then I saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 

2  And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of mighty ocean waves or the rolling of loud thunder. It was like the sound of many harpists playing together.

3  This great choir sang a wonderful new song in front of the throne of God and before the four living beings and the twenty-four elders. No one could learn this song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

4  They have kept themselves as pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb. 

5  They have told no lies; they are without blame.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1  Then I looked, and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion; with him were 144,000 people who have his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 

2  And I heard a voice from heaven that sounded like a roaring waterfall, like a loud peal of thunder. It sounded like the music made by musicians playing their harps. 

3  The 144,000 people stood before the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders; they were singing a new song, which only they could learn. Of the whole human race they are the only ones who have been redeemed. 

4  They are the men who have kept themselves pure by not having sexual relations with women; they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed from the rest of the human race and are the first ones to be offered to God and to the Lamb. 

5  They have never been known to tell lies; they are faultless.

The Beasts Of The Sea (Revelation 13) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1    Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God. 

2    This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion! And the dragon gave the beast his own power and throne and great authority.

3    I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast. 

4    They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast. “Who is as great as the beast?” they exclaimed. “Who is able to fight against him?”

5    Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. 

6    And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven.

7    And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. 

8    And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.

9    Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.

10  Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison.  Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword.  This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.

11  Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon. 

12  He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 

13  He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching. 

14  And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. 

15  He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.

16  He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. 

17  And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. 

18  Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads; on each of its horns there was a crown, and on each of its heads there was a name that was insulting to God. 

2    The beast looked like a leopard, with feet like a bear's feet and a mouth like a lion's mouth. The dragon gave the beast his own power, his throne, and his vast authority. 

3    One of the heads of the beast seemed to have been fatally wounded, but the wound had healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast. 

4    Everyone worshiped the dragon because he had given his authority to the beast. They worshiped the beast also, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who can fight against it?”

5    The beast was allowed to make proud claims which were insulting to God, and it was permitted to have authority for forty-two months. 

6    It began to curse God, his name, the place where he lives, and all those who live in heaven. 

7    It was allowed to fight against God's people and to defeat them, and it was given authority over every tribe, nation, language, and race. 

8    All people living on earth will worship it, except those whose names were written before the creation of the world in the book of the living which belongs to the Lamb that was killed.

9    “Listen, then, if you have ears! 

10  Whoever is meant to be captured will surely be captured; whoever is meant to be killed by the sword will surely be killed by the sword. This calls for endurance and faith on the part of God's people.”

11  Then I saw another beast, which came up out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb's horns, and it spoke like a dragon. 

12  It used the vast authority of the first beast in its presence. It forced the earth and all who live on it to worship the first beast, whose wound had healed. 

13  This second beast performed great miracles; it made fire come down out of heaven to earth in the sight of everyone. 

14  And it deceived all the people living on earth by means of the miracles which it was allowed to perform in the presence of the first beast. The beast told them to build an image in honor of the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived. 

15  The second beast was allowed to breathe life into the image of the first beast, so that the image could talk and put to death all those who would not worship it. 

16  The beast forced all the people, small and great, rich and poor, slave and free, to have a mark placed on their right hands or on their foreheads. 

17  No one could buy or sell without this mark, that is, the beast's name or the number that stands for the name.

18  This calls for wisdom. Whoever is intelligent can figure out the meaning of the number of the beast, because the number stands for the name of someone. Its number is 666.

The Woman And The Dragon (Revelation 12) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1    Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 

2    She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth.

3    Then I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads. 

4    His tail swept away one-third of the stars in the sky, and he threw them to the earth. He stood in front of the woman as she was about to give birth, ready to devour her baby as soon as it was born.

5    She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne. 

6    And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her for 1,260 days.

7    Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 

8    And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. 

9    This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

10  Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.  For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

11  And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.  And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

12  Therefore, rejoice, O heavens!  And you who live in the heavens, rejoice!  But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”

13  When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 

14  But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time.

15  Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth. 

16  But the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon. 

17  And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.  

18  Then the dragon took his stand on the shore beside the sea.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    Then a great and mysterious sight appeared in the sky. There was a woman, whose dress was the sun and who had the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 

2    She was soon to give birth, and the pains and suffering of childbirth made her cry out.

3    Another mysterious sight appeared in the sky. There was a huge red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and a crown on each of his heads. 

4    With his tail he dragged a third of the stars out of the sky and threw them down to the earth. He stood in front of the woman, in order to eat her child as soon as it was born. 

5    Then she gave birth to a son, who will rule over all nations with an iron rod. But the child was snatched away and taken to God and his throne.

6    The woman fled to the desert, to a place God had prepared for her, where she will be taken care of for 1,260 days.

7    Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, who fought back with his angels; 

8    but the dragon was defeated, and he and his angels were not allowed to stay in heaven any longer. 

9    The huge dragon was thrown out—that ancient serpent, named the Devil, or Satan, that deceived the whole world. He was thrown down to earth, and all his angels with him.

10  Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now God's salvation has come! Now God has shown his power as King! Now his Messiah has shown his authority! For the one who stood before our God and accused believers day and night has been thrown out of heaven. 

11  They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die. 

12  And so be glad, you heavens, and all you that live there! But how terrible for the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you, and he is filled with rage, because he knows that he has only a little time left.”

13  When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he began to pursue the woman who had given birth to the boy. 

14  She was given the two wings of a large eagle in order to fly to her place in the desert, where she will be taken care of for three and a half years, safe from the dragon's attack. 

15  And then from his mouth the dragon poured out a flood of water after the woman, so that it would carry her away. 

16  But the earth helped the woman; it opened its mouth and swallowed the water that had come from the dragon's mouth. 

17  The dragon was furious with the woman and went off to fight against the rest of her descendants, all those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to the truth revealed by Jesus. 

¹⁸   And the dragon stood on the seashore.

The Seventh Trumpet Brings The Third Terror (Revelation 11:15-19) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

15  Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven:  “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.”

16  The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him. 

17  And they said, “We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was,

for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.

18  The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come.  It is time to judge the dead
    and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest.  It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.”

19  Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of his covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared, and there was an earthquake and a terrible hailstorm.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

15  Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The power to rule over the world belongs now to our Lord and his Messiah, and he will rule forever and ever!” 
16  Then the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones in front of God threw themselves face downward and worshiped God, 
17  saying:  “Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was!  We thank you that you have taken your great power and have begun to rule!
18  The heathen were filled with rage, because the time for your anger has come, the time for the dead to be judged.  The time has come to reward your servants, the prophets, and all your people, all who have reverence for you, great and small alike.  The time has come to destroy those who destroy the earth!”
19  God's temple in heaven was opened, and the Covenant Box was seen there. Then there were flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:1-14) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1    Then I was given a measuring stick, and I was told, “Go and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers. 

2    But do not measure the outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations. They will trample the holy city for 42 months. 

3    And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophesy during those 1,260 days.”

4    These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of all the earth. 

5    If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die. 

6    They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

7    When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them. 

8    And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively called “Sodom” and “Egypt,” the city where their Lord was crucified. 

9    And for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them. 

10  All the people who belong to this world will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them.

11  But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them. 

12  Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, “Come up here!” And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched.

13  At the same time there was a terrible earthquake that destroyed a tenth of the city. Seven thousand people died in that earthquake, and everyone else was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14  The second terror is past, but look, the third terror is coming quickly.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    I was then given a stick that looked like a measuring-rod, and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who are worshiping in the temple. 

2    But do not measure the outer courts, because they have been given to the heathen, who will trample on the Holy City for forty-two months. 

3    I will send my two witnesses dressed in sackcloth, and they will proclaim God's message during those 1, 260 days.”

4    The two witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lamps that stand before the Lord of the earth. 

5    If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths and destroys their enemies; and in this way whoever tries to harm them will be killed. 

6    They have authority to shut up the sky so that there will be no rain during the time they proclaim God's message. They have authority also over the springs of water, to turn them into blood; they have authority also to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

7    When they finish proclaiming their message, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will fight against them. He will defeat them and kill them, 

8    and their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, where their Lord was crucified. The symbolic name of that city is Sodom, or Egypt. 

9    People from all nations, tribes, languages, and races will look at their bodies for three and a half days and will not allow them to be buried. 

10  The people of the earth will be happy because of the death of these two. They will celebrate and send presents to each other, because those two prophets brought much suffering upon the whole human race.

11  After three and a half days a life-giving breath came from God and entered them, and they stood up; and all who saw them were terrified. 

12  Then the two prophets heard a loud voice say to them from heaven, “Come up here!” As their enemies watched, they went up into heaven in a cloud. 

13  At that very moment there was a violent earthquake; a tenth of the city was destroyed, and seven thousand people were killed. The rest of the people were terrified and praised the greatness of the God of heaven.

14  The second horror is over, but the third horror will come soon!

The Angel And The Little Scroll (Revelation 10:1-11) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1    Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire. 

2    And in his hand was a small scroll that had been opened. He stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. 

3    And he gave a great shout like the roar of a lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders answered.

4    When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Keep secret what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down.”

5    Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand toward heaven. 

6    He swore an oath in the name of the one who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and everything in them, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it. He said, “There will be no more delay. 

7    When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets.”

8    Then the voice from heaven spoke to me again: “Go and take the open scroll from the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”

9    So I went to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. “Yes, take it and eat it,” he said. “It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!” 

10  So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach.

11  Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    Then I saw another mighty angel coming down out of heaven. He was wrapped in a cloud and had a rainbow around his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like columns of fire. 

2    He had a small scroll open in his hand. He put his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 

3    and called out in a loud voice that sounded like the roar of lions. After he had called out, the seven thunders answered with a roar. 

4    As soon as they spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice speak from heaven, “Keep secret what the seven thunders have said; do not write it down!”

5    Then the angel that I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 

6    and took a vow in the name of God, who lives forever and ever, who created heaven, earth, and the sea, and everything in them. The angel said, “There will be no more delay! 

7    But when the seventh angel blows his trumpet, then God will accomplish his secret plan, as he announced to his servants, the prophets.”

8    Then the voice that I had heard speaking from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go and take the open scroll which is in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land.”

9    I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will turn sour in your stomach, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”

10  I took the little scroll from his hand and ate it, and it tasted sweet as honey in my mouth. But after I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach. 

11  Then I was told, “Once again you must proclaim God's message about many nations, races, languages, and kings.”

The Six Trumpet Brings The Second Terror (Revelation 9:13-21) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

13  Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice speaking from the four horns of the gold altar that stands in the presence of God. 

14  And the voice said to the sixth angel who held the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great Euphrates River.” 

15  Then the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were turned loose to kill one-third of all the people on earth. 

16  I heard the size of their army, which was 200 million mounted troops.

17  And in my vision, I saw the horses and the riders sitting on them. The riders wore armor that was fiery red and dark blue and yellow. The horses had heads like lions, and fire and smoke and burning sulfur billowed from their mouths. 

18  One-third of all the people on earth were killed by these three plagues—by the fire and smoke and burning sulfur that came from the mouths of the horses. 

19  Their power was in their mouths and in their tails. For their tails had heads like snakes, with the power to injure people.

20  But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! 

21  And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

13  Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet. I heard a voice coming from the four corners of the gold altar standing before God. 
14  The voice said to the sixth angel, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great Euphrates River!”
15  The four angels were released; for this very hour of this very day of this very month and year they had been kept ready to kill a third of all the human race. 
16  I was told the number of the mounted troops: it was two hundred million. 
17  And in my vision I saw the horses and their riders: they had breastplates red as fire, blue as sapphire, and yellow as sulfur. The horses' heads were like lions' heads, and from their mouths came out fire, smoke, and sulfur. 
18  A third of the human race was killed by those three plagues: the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur coming out of the horses' mouths. 
19  For the power of the horses is in their mouths and also in their tails. Their tails are like snakes with heads, and they use them to hurt people.
20  The rest of the human race, all those who had not been killed by these plagues, did not turn away from what they themselves had made. They did not stop worshiping demons, nor the idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk. 
21  Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic, their sexual immorality, or their stealing.

The Fifth Trumpet Brings The First Terror (Revelation 9:1-12) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1    Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen to earth from the sky, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. 

2    When he opened it, smoke poured out as though from a huge furnace, and the sunlight and air turned dark from the smoke.

3    Then locusts came from the smoke and descended on the earth, and they were given power to sting like scorpions.
4    They were told not to harm the grass or plants or trees, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
5    They were told not to kill them but to torture them for five months with pain like the pain of a scorpion sting.
6    In those days people will seek death but will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them!
7    The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. They had what looked like gold crowns on their heads, and their faces looked like human faces.
8    They had hair like women’s hair and teeth like the teeth of a lion.
9    They wore armor made of iron, and their wings roared like an army of chariots rushing into battle.
10  They had tails that stung like scorpions, and for five months they had the power to torment people.
11  Their king is the angel from the bottomless pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon—the Destroyer.
12  The first terror is past, but look, two more terrors are coming!

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet. I saw a star which had fallen down to the earth, and it was given the key to the abyss. 

2    The star opened the abyss, and smoke poured out of it, like the smoke from a large furnace; the sunlight and the air were darkened by the smoke from the abyss. 

3    Locusts came down out of the smoke upon the earth, and they were given the same kind of power that scorpions have. 

4    They were told not to harm the grass or the trees or any other plant; they could harm only the people who did not have the mark of God's seal on their foreheads. 

5    The locusts were not allowed to kill these people, but only to torture them for five months. The pain caused by the torture is like the pain caused by a scorpion's sting. 

6    During those five months they will seek death, but will not find it; they will want to die, but death will flee from them.

7    The locusts looked like horses ready for battle; on their heads they had what seemed to be crowns of gold, and their faces were like human faces. 

8    Their hair was like women's hair, their teeth were like lions' teeth. 

9    Their chests were covered with what looked like iron breastplates, and the sound made by their wings was like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots rushing into battle. 

10  They have tails and stings like those of a scorpion, and it is with their tails that they have the power to hurt people for five months. 

11  They have a king ruling over them, who is the angel in charge of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon; in Greek the name is Apollyon (meaning “The Destroyer”).

12   The first horror is over; after this there are still two more horrors to come.

The First Four Trumpets (Revelation 8:6-13) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

6    Then the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow their mighty blasts.

7    The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. One-third of the earth was set on fire, one-third of the trees were burned, and all the green grass was burned.

8    Then the second angel blew his trumpet, and a great mountain of fire was thrown into the sea. One-third of the water in the sea became blood, 

9    one-third of all things living in the sea died, and one-third of all the ships on the sea were destroyed.

10  Then the third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch. It fell on one-third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 

11  The name of the star was Bitterness. It made one-third of the water bitter, and many people died from drinking the bitter water.

12  Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and one-third of the sun was struck, and one-third of the moon, and one-third of the stars, and they became dark. And one-third of the day was dark, and also one-third of the night.

13  Then I looked, and I heard a single eagle crying loudly as it flew through the air, “Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets.”

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

6    Then the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.
7    The first angel blew his trumpet. Hail and fire, mixed with blood, came pouring down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees, and every blade of green grass.
8    Then the second angel blew his trumpet. Something that looked like a huge mountain on fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea was turned into blood, 
9    a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10  Then the third angel blew his trumpet. A large star, burning like a torch, dropped from the sky and fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 
11  (The name of the star is “Bitterness.”) A third of the water turned bitter, and many people died from drinking the water, because it had turned bitter.
12  Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet. A third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that their light lost a third of its brightness; there was no light during a third of the day and a third of the night also.
13  Then I looked, and I heard an eagle that was flying high in the air say in a loud voice, “O horror! horror! How horrible it will be for all who live on earth when the sound comes from the trumpets that the other three angels must blow!”

The Lamb Breaks The Seventh Seal (Revelation 8:1-5) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1  When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. 

2  I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.

3  Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.

4  The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. 

5  Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and there was a terrible earthquake.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1  When the Lamb broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 

2  Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.

3  Another angel, who had a gold incense container, came and stood at the altar. He was given a lot of incense to add to the prayers of all God's people and to offer it on the gold altar that stands before the throne. 

4  The smoke of the burning incense went up with the prayers of God's people from the hands of the angel standing before God. 

5  Then the angel took the incense container, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it on the earth. There were rumblings and peals of thunder, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

Praise From The Great Crowd (Revelation 7:9-17) New Living and Good News Translations

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

9    After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 

10  And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne

    and from the Lamb!”

11  And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. 

12  They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13  Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?”

14  And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.”  Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

15  “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple.  And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter.

16  They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. 

17  For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd.  He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.

    And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

9    After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd—no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. 
10  They called out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!” 
11  All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. Then they threw themselves face downward in front of the throne and worshiped God, 
12  saying, “Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!”
13  One of the elders asked me, “Who are these people dressed in white robes, and where do they come from?”
14  “I don't know, sir. You do,” I answered.  He said to me, “These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. 
15  That is why they stand before God's throne and serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will protect them with his presence. 
16  Never again will they hunger or thirst; neither sun nor any scorching heat will burn them, 
17  because the Lamb, who is in the center of the throne, will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

God's People Will Be Preserved (Revelation 7:1-8) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1  Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree. 

2  And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, 

3  “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.”

4  And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel:

5  from Judah	12,000
from Reuben	12,000
from Gad	12,000
6  from Asher	12,000
from Naphtali	12,000
from Manasseh	12,000
7  from Simeon	12,000
from Levi	12,000
from Issachar	12,000
8  from Zebulun	12,000
from Joseph	12,000
from Benjamin	12,000

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1  After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so that no wind should blow on the earth or the sea or against any tree. 

2  And I saw another angel coming up from the east with the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels to whom God had given the power to damage the earth and the sea. 

3  The angel said, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees, until we mark the servants of our God with a seal on their foreheads.”

4  And I was told that the number of those who were marked with God's seal on their foreheads was 144,000. They were from the twelve tribes of Israel, 

5-8  twelve thousand from each tribe: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.

The Lamb Breaks The First Six Seals (Revelation 6) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1    As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 

2    I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.

3    When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, “Come!” 

4    Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.

5    When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 

6    And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay.  And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”

7    When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!” 

8    I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.

9    When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 

10  They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” 

11  Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.

12  I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. 

13  Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind.

14  The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places.

15  Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 

16  And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. 

17  For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?” 

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    Then I saw the Lamb break open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice that sounded like thunder, “Come!” 

2    I looked, and there was a white horse. Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown. He rode out as a conqueror to conquer.

3    Then the Lamb broke open the second seal; and I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”

4    Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given the power to bring war on the earth, so that people should kill each other. He was given a large sword.

5    Then the Lamb broke open the third seal; and I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there was a black horse. Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand. 

6    I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living creatures, which said, “A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages. But do not damage the olive trees and the vineyards!”

7    Then the Lamb broke open the fourth seal; and I heard the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 

8    I looked, and there was a pale-colored horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades followed close behind. They were given authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill by means of war, famine, disease, and wild animals.

9    Then the Lamb broke open the fifth seal. I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed because they had proclaimed God's word and had been faithful in their witnessing. 

10  They shouted in a loud voice, “Almighty Lord, holy and true! How long will it be until you judge the people on earth and punish them for killing us?” 

11  Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the complete number of other servants and believers were killed, as they had been.

12  And I saw the Lamb break open the sixth seal. There was a violent earthquake, and the sun became black like coarse black cloth, and the moon turned completely red like blood. 

13  The stars fell down to the earth, like unripe figs falling from the tree when a strong wind shakes it. 

14  The sky disappeared like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 

15  Then the kings of the earth, the rulers and the military chiefs, the rich and the powerful, and all other people, slave and free, hid themselves in caves and under rocks on the mountains. 

16  They called out to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the eyes of the one who sits on the throne and from the anger of the Lamb! 

17  The terrible day of their anger is here, and who can stand up against it?”

The Scroll And The Lamb (Revelation 5) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1    Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 

2    And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 

3    But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

4    Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 

5    But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6    Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 

7    He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.

8    And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

9    And they sang a new song with these words:  “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.  For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10  And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God.  And they will reign on the earth.”

11  Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 

12  And they sang in a mighty chorus:  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

13  And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:  “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

14  And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sits on the throne; it was covered with writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. 

2    And I saw a mighty angel, who announced in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 

3    But there was no one in heaven or on earth or in the world below who could open the scroll and look inside it. 

4    I cried bitterly because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.

5    Then one of the elders said to me, “Don't cry. Look! The Lion from Judah's tribe, the great descendant of David, has won the victory, and he can break the seven seals and open the scroll.”

6    Then I saw a Lamb standing in the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb appeared to have been killed. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that have been sent through the whole earth. 

7    The Lamb went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who sits on the throne. 

8    As he did so, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people. 

9    They sang a new song:  “You are worthy to take the scroll and to break open its seals.  For you were killed, and by your sacrificial death you bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation, and race.

10  You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they shall rule on earth.”

11  Again I looked, and I heard angels, thousands and millions of them! They stood around the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders, 

12  and sang in a loud voice:  “The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, honor, glory, and praise!”

13  And I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, in the world below, and in the sea—all living beings in the universe—and they were singing:  “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, glory and might, forever and ever!”

14  The four living creatures answered, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.