Revelation 5

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

1Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one on the throne. A scroll is a long paper rolled up. It had writing on both sides. Seven seals held it shut.

NoteThe King James Bible says "book," but in John's time books were long sheets rolled up. So this is a scroll.

2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

2I saw a strong angel call out in a loud voice. He asked, "Who is good enough to break the seals and open the scroll?"

3And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

3But no one could open the scroll or look inside it. Not in heaven, not on earth, not under the earth.

4And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

4So I cried and cried. No one was found who was good enough to open the scroll or look inside.

5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

5Then one of the elders, the leaders sitting near the throne, spoke to me. He said, "Do not cry. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah has won. He is the Root of David. He can open the scroll and its seven seals."

6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

6Then I looked, and I saw a Lamb standing in the middle by the throne. The four living creatures and the elders were all around him. The Lamb looked like he had been killed. He had seven horns and seven eyes. The seven eyes are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.

NoteThe King James Bible calls them "beasts," which today sounds like wild animals. The word means living creatures, the four beings standing near God's throne.

7And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

7The Lamb came and took the scroll. He took it from the right hand of the one on the throne.

8And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

8When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders bowed down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp. Each one held a gold bowl full of sweet-smelling smoke. Those bowls are the prayers of God's people.

NoteThe "golden vials full of odours" are gold bowls holding incense. Incense is a spice that makes sweet-smelling smoke when it burns.

9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

9They sang a new song. They sang, "You are good enough to take the scroll and open its seals. You were killed, and with your blood you bought people for God. You bought them from every family, every language, every people, and every nation.

10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

10You made them kings and priests, helpers who serve our God. And they will rule on the earth."

11And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

11Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of many angels. They stood all around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. There were more of them than anyone could count.

12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

12They sang in a loud voice, "The Lamb who was killed is worthy! He should have power and riches and wisdom. He should have strength and honor and glory and praise!"

13And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

13Then I heard every living thing everywhere singing. They were in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, and in the sea. They sang, "Praise and honor and glory and power belong to the one on the throne. They belong to the Lamb too, forever and ever."

14And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

14The four living creatures said, "Amen." That means, "Yes, it is true." And the elders bowed down and worshipped.