sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel saying in a
loud voice: "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?" But
no one was worthy, either in heaven or on the earth or under the earth
to open the book or look into it. So I began to weep bitterly because no
one was found worthy to open the book or look into it; but one of the
elders said to me: "Weep not; behold the Lion of Judah's tribe, the
Scion of David--he has won the right to open the book and its seven
seals."

Then in the space between the throne and the four living creatures I saw
a Lamb standing among the elders. He seemed to have been slain, but he
had seven horns and seven eyes. And he came and took the book out of the
right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he took the
book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down
before the Lamb, each with his harp, and with his golden bowls full of
incense which represent the prayers of the saints. They were singing
this new song: "Thou art worthy to take the book and open its seals, for
thou wast slain and by thy blood thou hast ransomed for God, men from
every tribe and language and people and nation; thou hast made them a
kingdom and priests for our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

And I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and
of the living creatures and of the elders, numbering ten thousand times
ten thousand and thousands of thousands, crying aloud, "Worthy is the
Lamb that has been slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and
might and honor and glory and blessing." And I heard every creature in
heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all things
that are in them crying, "To him who is seated on the throne and to the
Lamb, be blessing and honor and praise and dominion forever and ever!"
Then the four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down
and worshipped.

THE REWARD OF THE FAITHFUL

After that I saw a vast host, which no one could count, from every
nation and tribe and people and language, standing before the throne
and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their
hands. They cried aloud, "It is to our God who is seated on the throne
and to the Lamb that we owe our salvation!"

Then one of the elders turned to me and said: "Who are these dressed in
white robes, and from where have they come?" I said to him, "You know,
my lord." So he told me, "These ar