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Saturday, June 07, 2008

  • Romans 12 (Darby Translation) & A Poem

    Romans 12 (Darby Translation)

    Darby Translation (DARBY)

    Public Domain


    Romans 12

     1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the compassions of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your intelligent service.

     2And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [your] mind, that ye may prove what [is] the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

     3For I say, through the grace which has been given to me, to every one that is among you, not to have high thoughts above what he should think; but to think so as to be wise, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith.

     4For, as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office;

     5thus we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one of the other.

     6But having different gifts, according to the grace which has been given to us, whether [it be] prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;

     7or service, [let us occupy ourselves] in service; or he that teaches, in teaching;

     8or he that exhorts, in exhortation; he that gives, in simplicity; he that leads, with diligence; he that shews mercy, with cheerfulness.

     9Let love be unfeigned; abhorring evil; cleaving to good:

     10as to brotherly love, kindly affectioned towards one another: as to honour, each taking the lead in paying it to the other:

     11as to diligent zealousness, not slothful; in spirit fervent; serving the Lord.

     12As regards hope, rejoicing: as regards tribulation, enduring: as regards prayer, persevering:

     13distributing to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.

     14Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.

     15Rejoice with those that rejoice, weep with those that weep.

     16Have the same respect one for another, not minding high things, but going along with the lowly: be not wise in your own eyes:

     17recompensing to no one evil for evil: providing things honest before all men:

     18if possible, as far as depends on you, living in peace with all men;

     19not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance [belongs] to me, *I* will recompense, saith the Lord.

     20If therefore thine enemy should hunger, feed him; if he should thirst, give him drink; for, so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.

     21Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


     


    The Hope: The Story of God's Promise for All People


    There are so many things that God teaches us within his word and without of it,
    Life is not bound to the written prescription but moves through it as well,
    Fluid water that streams through and teaches us and runs over us to iron out the sharp ends,
    So that we are not rough towards others but show love that God is and always will be:)

Sunday, March 30, 2008

  • Genesis 2 (King James Version)

    King James Version (KJV)

    Public Domain


    Genesis 2

     1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

     2And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

     3And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

     4These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

     5And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

     6But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

     7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

     8And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

     9And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

     10And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

     11The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

     12And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.

     13And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.

     14And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

     15And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

     16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

     17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

     18And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

     19And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

     20And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

     21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

     22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

     23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

     24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

     25And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.


     
    Matthew Henry Concise Edition

    Chapter 2: | Calvin | Darby | Geneva | Gill | Jamieson Faussett Brown | Matthew Henry | Matthew Henry Concise | Wesley | Index | Bible Gateway |

    Introduction   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   Revelation   Exodus
    Genesis 2
    Concise     Complete

    The first sabbath. (1-3) Particulars about the creation. (4-7) The planting of the garden of Eden. (8-14) Man is placed in it. (15) God's command. (16,17) The animals named, The making of woman, The Divine institution of marriage. (18-25)

    Verses 1-3 After six days, God ceased from all works of creation. In miracles, he has overruled nature, but never changed its settled course, or added to it. God did not rest as one weary, but as one well pleased. Notice the beginning of the kingdom of grace, in the sanctification, or keeping holy, of the sabbath day. The solemn observing of one day in seven as a day of holy rest and holy work, to God's honour, is the duty of all to whom God has made known his holy sabbaths. At this time none of the human race were in being but our first parents. For them the sabbath was appointed; and clearly for all succeeding generations also. The Christian sabbath, which we observe, is a seventh day, and in it we celebrate the rest of God the Son, and the finishing the work of our redemption.

    Verses 4-7 Here is a name given to the Creator, "Jehovah." Where the word "LORD" is printed in capital letters in our English Bibles, in the original it is "Jehovah." Jehovah is that name of God, which denotes that he alone has his being of himself, and that he gives being to all creatures and things. Further notice is taken of plants and herbs, because they were made and appointed to be food for man. The earth did not bring forth its fruits of itself: this was done by Almighty power. Thus grace in the soul grows not of itself in nature's soil, but is the work of God. Rain also is the gift of God; it came not till the Lord God caused it. Though God works by means, yet when he pleases he can do his own work without them; and though we must not tempt God in the neglect of means, we must trust God, both in the use and in the want of means. Some way or other, God will water the plants of his own planting. Divine grace comes down like the dew, and waters the church without noise. Man was made of the small dust, such as is on the surface of the earth. The soul was not made of the earth, as the body: pity then that it should cleave to the earth, and mind earthly things. To God we must shortly give an account, how we have employed these souls; and if it be found that we have lost them, though it were to gain the world, we are undone for ever! Fools despise their own souls, by caring for their bodies before their souls.

    Verses 8-14 The place fixed upon for Adam to dwell in, was not a palace, but a garden. The better we take up with plain things, and the less we seek things to gratify pride and luxury, the nearer we approach to innocency. Nature is content with a little, and that which is most natural; grace with less; but lust craves every thing, and is content with nothing. No delights can be satisfying to the soul, but those which God himself has provided and appointed for it. Eden signifies delight and pleasure. Wherever it was, it had all desirable conveniences, without any inconvenience, though no other house or garden on earth ever was so. It was adorned with every tree pleasant to the sight, and enriched with every tree that yielded fruit grateful to the taste and good for food. God, as a tender Father, desired not only Adam's profit, but his pleasure; for there is pleasure with innocency, nay there is true pleasure only in innocency. When Providence puts us in a place of plenty and pleasure, we ought to serve God with gladness of heart in the good things he gives us. Eden had two trees peculiar to itself. 1. There was the tree of life in the midst of the garden. Of this man might eat and live. Christ is now to us the Tree of life, 22:2; and the Bread of life, #Joh 6:48,51. 2. There was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so called because there was a positive revelation of the will of God about this tree, so that by it man might know moral good and evil. What is good? It is good not to eat of this tree. What is evil? It is evil to eat of this tree. In these two trees God set before Adam good and evil, the blessing and the curse.

    Verse 15 After God had formed Adam, he put him in the garden. All boasting was thereby shut out. Only he that made us can make us happy; he that is the Former of our bodies, and the Father of our spirits, and none but he, can fully provide for the happiness of both. Even in paradise itself man had to work. None of us were sent into the world to be idle. He that made our souls and bodies, has given us something to work with; and he that gave us this earth for our habitation, has made us something to work upon. The sons and heirs of heaven, while in this world, have something to do about this earth, which must have its share of their time and thoughts; and if they do it with an eye to God, they as truly serve him in it, as when they are upon their knees. Observe that the husbandman's calling is an ancient and honourable calling; it was needful even in paradise. Also, there is true pleasure in the business God calls us to, and employs us in. Adam could not have been happy if he had been idle: it is still God's law, He that will not work has 2 thessalonians

    Verses 16-17 Let us never set up our own will against the holy will of God. There was not only liberty allowed to man, in taking the fruits of paradise, but everlasting life made sure to him upon his obedience. There was a trial appointed of his obedience. By transgression he would forfeit his Maker's favour, and deserve his displeasure, with all its awful effects; so that he would become liable to pain, disease, and death. Worse than that, he would lose the holy image of God, and all the comfort of his favour; and feel the torment of sinful passions, and the terror of his Maker's vengeance, which must endure for ever with his never dying soul. The forbidding to eat of the fruit of a particular tree was wisely suited to the state of our first parents. In their state of innocence, and separated from any others, what opportunity or what temptation had they to break any of the ten commandments? The event proves that the whole human race were concerned in the trial and fall of our first parents. To argue against these things is to strive against stubborn facts, as well as Divine revelation; for man is sinful, and shows by his first actions, and his conduct ever afterwards, that he is ready to do evil. He is under the Divine displeasure, exposed to sufferings and death. The Scriptures always speak of man as of this sinful character, and in this miserable state; and these things are true of men in all ages, and of all nations.

    Verses 18-25 Power over the creatures was given to man, and as a proof of this he named them all. It also shows his insight into the works of God. But though he was lord of the creatures, yet nothing in this world was a help meet for man. From God are all our helpers. If we rest in God, he will work all for good. God caused deep sleep to fall on Adam; while he knows no sin, God will take care that he shall feel no pain. God, as her Father, brought the woman to the man, as his second self, and a help meet for him. That wife, who is of God's making by special grace, and of God's bringing by special providence, is likely to prove a help meet for a man. See what need there is, both of prudence and prayer in the choice of this relation, which is so near and so lasting. That had need to be well done, which is to be done for life. Our first parents needed no clothes for covering against cold or heat, for neither could hurt them: they needed none for ornament. Thus easy, thus happy, was man in his state of innocency. How good was God to him! How many favours did he load him with! How easy were the laws given to him! Yet man, being in honour, understood not his own interest, but soon became as the beasts that perish.


    Chapter 2: | Calvin | Darby | Geneva | Gill | Jamieson Faussett Brown | Matthew Henry | Matthew Henry Concise | Wesley | Index | Bible Gateway |

    Introduction   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   Revelation   Exodus


    Genesis   Exodus   Leviticus   Numbers   Deuteronomy   Joshua   Judges   Ruth   1 Samuel   2 Samuel   1 Kings   2 Kings   1 Chronicles   2 Chronicles   Ezra   Nehemiah   Esther   Job   Psalm   Proverbs   Ecclesiastes   Song of Solomon   Isaiah   Jeremiah   Lamentations   Ezekiel   Daniel   Hosea   Joel   Amos   Obadiah   Jonah   Micah   Nahum   Habakkuk   Zephaniah   Haggai   Zechariah   Malachi   Matthew   Mark   Luke   John   Acts   Romans   1 Corinthians   2 Corinthians   Galatians   Ephesians   Philippians   Colossians   1 Thessalonians   2 Thessalonians   1 Timothy   2 Timothy   Titus   Philemon   Hebrews   James   1 Peter   2 Peter   1 John   2 John   3 John   Jude   Revelation

    Classic Bible Commentaries
    Courtesy of E-Word Today

    Gospel Communications Alliance Member

Monday, February 18, 2008

  • Hebrews 1 (Contemporary English Version)

    Hebrews 1 (Contemporary English Version)

    Contemporary English Version (CEV)

    Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society


    Hebrews 1

     1Long ago in many ways and at many times God's prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. 2But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us. God created the universe by his Son, and everything will someday belong to the Son. 3God's Son has all the brightness of God's own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together.

       After the Son had washed away our sins, he sat down at the right side [a] of the glorious God in heaven. 4He had become much greater than the angels, and the name he was given is far greater than any of theirs.

    God's Son Is Greater than Angels
     5God has never said

       to any of the angels,

       "You are my Son, because today

       I have become your Father!"

       Neither has God said

       to any of them,

       "I will be his Father,

       and he will be my Son!"

        6When God brings his first-born Son [b] into the world, he commands all of his angels to worship him. 7And when God speaks about the angels, he says,

       "I change my angels into wind

       and my servants

       into flaming fire."

        8But God says about his Son,

       "You are God,

       and you will rule

       as King forever!

       Your [c] royal power brings about justice.

        9You loved justice

       and hated evil,

       and so I, your God,

       have chosen you.

       I appointed you

       and made you happier

       than any of your friends."

        10The Scriptures also say,

       "In the beginning, Lord,

       you were the one

       who laid the foundation

       of the earth

       and created the heavens.

        11They will all disappear

       and wear out like clothes,

       but you will last forever.

        12You will roll them up

       like a robe

       and change them

       like a garment.

       But you are always the same,

       and you will live forever."

        13God never said to any

       of the angels,

       "Sit at my right side

       until I make your enemies

       into a footstool for you!"

        14Angels are merely spirits sent to serve people who are going to be saved.

       

    Footnotes:

    1. Hebrews 1:3 right side: The place of honor and power.
    2. Hebrews 1:6 first-born Son: The first son born into a family had certain privileges that the other children did not have. In 12.23 "first-born" refers to God's special people.
    3. Hebrews 1:8 Your: Some manuscripts have "His."


     
    http://www.pliner.net/appmb2/31cbb1/
    Prayer Requests are welcome:)

    The Hope: The Story of God's Promise for All People

Saturday, January 26, 2008

  • Revelation 1-6 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

    Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

    Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.


    Revelation 1

    Prologue
     1 The revelation of [a] Jesus Christ that God gave Him to show His slaves (A) what must quickly [b] take place. (B) He sent it and signified it [c] through His angel (C) to His slave John, (D) 2 who testified to God's word and to the testimony [d] about Jesus Christ, (E) in all he saw. [e] 3 Blessed (F) is the one who reads and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep [f] what is written in it, because the time is near!

        4 John:

        To the seven churches in the province of Asia. [g]

        Grace and peace (G) to you from [h] the One who is, who was, and who is coming; (H) from the seven spirits (I) [i] before His throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

        To Him who loves us and has set us free [j] from our sins by His blood, 6 and made us a kingdom, [k] priests (J) [l] to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

        7 Look! He is coming with the clouds, (K)

        and every eye will see Him,

        including those who pierced [m] Him.

        And all the families of the earth (L) [n] (M)

        will mourn over Him. (N) [o] (O)

        This is certain. Amen.

        8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," (P) says the Lord God, "the One who is, who was, and who is coming, the Almighty."

       

    John's Vision of the Risen Lord
     9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God's word and the testimony about Jesus. (Q) [p] 10 I was in the Spirit (R) [q] [r] on the Lord's day, [s] and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, "Write on a scroll [t] what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."

        12 I turned to see the voice (S) that was speaking to me. When I turned I saw seven gold lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, (T) [u] dressed in a long robe, and with a gold sash wrapped around His chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool—white as snow, His eyes like a fiery flame, 15 His feet like fine bronze fired in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of cascading [v] waters. (U) 16 In His right hand He had seven stars; from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; (V) and His face was shining like the sun at midday. [w]

        17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me, and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last, (W) 18 and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this. 20 The secret [x] of the seven stars you saw in My right hand, and of the seven gold lampstands, is this: the seven stars are the angels [y] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands [z] are the seven churches.

       

    Revelation 2

    The Letters to the Seven Churches
    The Letter to Ephesus
     1 "To the angel [aa] of the church in Ephesus write:

        "The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 You also possess endurance and have tolerated [many things] because of My name, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you: you have abandoned the love [you had] at first. 5 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you [ab] and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 Yet you do have this: you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

        7 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor (X) the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in [ac] the paradise of God. (Y)

       

    The Letter to Smyrna
     8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

        "The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says: 9 I know your [ad] tribulation and poverty, yet you are rich. [I know] the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have tribulation for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown [ae] of life.

        11 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death. (Z)

       

    The Letter to Pergamum
     12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

        "The One who has the sharp, two-edged sword (AA) says: 13 I know [af] where you live—where Satan's throne is! And you are holding on to My name and did not deny your faith in Me, [ag] even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block [ah] in front of the sons of Israel: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. [ai] 15 In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. [aj] 16 Therefore repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

        17 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor some of the hidden manna. (AB) [ak] I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name (AC) is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

       

    The Letter to Thyatira
     18 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

        "The Son of God, the One whose eyes are like a fiery flame, and whose feet are like fine bronze says: 19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, [al] service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first. 20 But I have this against you: you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality [am] and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. [an] 22 Look! I will throw her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her [ao] practices. 23 I will kill her children with the plague. (AD) [ap] Then all the churches will know that I am the One who examines minds [aq] and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven't known the deep things [ar] of Satan—as they say—I do not put any other burden on you. 25 But hold on to what you have until I come. (AE) 26 The victor and the one who keeps My works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations—

        27 and He will shepherd (AF) [as] them with an iron scepter;

        He will shatter them like pottery (AG) (AH) —

        just as I have received [this] from My Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. (AI)

        29 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

    Revelation 3

    The Letter to Sardis
     1 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

        "The One who has the seven spirits of God (AJ) and the seven stars says: I know your works; you have a reputation [at] for being alive, but you are dead. 2 Be alert and strengthen [au] what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God. 3 Remember therefore what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come [av] like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you. [aw] 4 But you have a few people [ax] in Sardis who have not defiled [ay] their clothes, and they will walk with Me in white, because they are worthy. 5 In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, (AK) but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels.

        6 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

       

    The Letter to Philadelphia
     7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

        "The Holy One, the True One, the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and closes and no one opens (AL) says: 8 I know your works. Because you have limited strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, look, I have placed before you an open door that no one is able to close. 9 Take note! I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—note this—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. (AM) 10 Because you have kept My command to endure, [az] I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, (AN) so that no one takes your crown. 12 The victor: I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God—the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God—and My new name. (AO)

        13 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

       

    The Letter to Laodicea
     14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

        "The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator (AP) [ba] of God's creation says: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit [bb] you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I'm rich; I have become wealthy, and need nothing,' and you don't know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, and white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed [bc] and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. 21 The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne.

        22 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."

    Revelation 4

    The Throne Room of Heaven
     1 After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."

        2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, (AQ) [bd] and there in heaven a throne was set. (AR) One was seated on the throne, 3 and the One seated [be] looked like jasper [bf] and carnelian [bg] stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne. 4 Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and thunder. Burning before the throne were seven fiery torches, which are the seven spirits of God. (AS) 6 Also before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the middle [bh] and around the throne were four living creatures (AT) covered with eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; (AU) they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, [bi] saying:

        Holy, holy, holy, [bj]

        Lord God, the Almighty,

        who was, who is, and who is coming.

        9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, the One who lives forever and ever, 10 the 24 elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, worship the One who lives forever and ever, cast their crowns before the throne, and say:

        11 Our Lord and God, [bk]

        You are worthy to receive

        glory and honor and power,

        because You have created all things,

        and because of Your will

        they exist and were created.

    Revelation 5

    The Lamb Takes the Scroll
     1 Then I saw in the right hand of the One seated on the throne a scroll with writing on the inside and on the back, (AV) sealed with seven seals. 2 I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. 4 And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open [bl] the scroll or even to look in it.

        5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, (AW) the Root of David, (AX) has been victorious (AY) so that He may open the scroll and [bm] its seven seals." 6 Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb standing between [bn] the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God (AZ) sent into all the earth. 7 He came and took [the scroll] [bo] out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne.

       

    The Lamb Is Worthy
     8 When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: (BA)

        You are worthy to take the scroll

        and to open its seals;

        because You were slaughtered,

        and You redeemed [bp] [people] [bq] for God by Your blood

        from every tribe and language and people and nation. (BB)

        10 You made them a kingdom [br] and priests to our God, (BC)

        and they will reign on the earth.

        11 Then I looked, and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures, and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. 12 They said with a loud voice:

        The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy

        to receive power and riches

        and wisdom and strength

        and honor and glory and blessing!

        13 I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say:

        Blessing and honor and glory and dominion

        to the One seated on the throne,

        and to the Lamb, forever and ever!

        14 The four living creatures said, " Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

    Revelation 6

    The First Seal on the Scroll
     1 Then I saw [bs] the Lamb open one of the seven [bt] seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Come!" [bu] [bv] 2 I looked, and there was a white horse. (BD) The horseman on it had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he went out as a victor to conquer. [bw]

       

    The Second Seal
     3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" [bx] [by] 4 Then another horse went out, a fiery red one, and its horseman was empowered [bz] to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And a large sword was given to him. (BE)

       

    The Third Seal
     5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" [ca] [cb] And I looked, and there was a black horse. The horseman on it had a balance scale in his hand. 6 Then I heard something like a voice among the four living creatures say, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius—but do not harm the olive oil and the wine."

       

    The Fourth Seal
     7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" [cc] [cd] 8 And I looked, and there was a pale green [ce] horse. The horseman on it was named Death, and Hades was following after him. Authority was given to them (BF) [cf] over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.

       

    The Fifth Seal
     9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those slaughtered because of God's word and the testimony they had. (BG) [cg] 10 They cried out with a loud voice: "O Lord, [ch] holy and true, how long until You judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?" 11 So a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer until [the number of] their fellow slaves and their brothers, who were going to be killed just as they had been, would be completed.

       

    The Sixth Seal
     12 Then I saw Him open [ci] the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred; the sun turned black like sackcloth (BH) made of goat hair; the entire moon [cj] became like blood; 13 the stars [ck] of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind; 14 the sky separated like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place.

        15 Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the military commanders, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. (BI) 16 And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us (BJ) from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 because the great day of Their [cl] wrath has come! And who is able to stand?" (BK)

    Footnotes:

    1. Revelation 1:1 Or Revelation of, or A revelation of
    2. Revelation 1:1 Or soon
    3. Revelation 1:1 Made it known through symbols
    4. Revelation 1:2 Or witness
    5. Revelation 1:2 Lit as many as he saw
    6. Revelation 1:3 Or follow, or obey
    7. Revelation 1:4 Lit churches in Asia; that is, the Roman province that is now a part of modern Turkey
    8. Revelation 1:4 Other mss add God
    9. Revelation 1:4 Or the sevenfold Spirit
    10. Revelation 1:5 Other mss read has washed us
    11. Revelation 1:6 Other mss read kings and
    12. Revelation 1:6 Or made us into (or to be) a kingdom of priests; see [Ex 19:6]
    13. Revelation 1:7 Or impaled
    14. Revelation 1:7 Or All the tribes of the land
    15. Revelation 1:7 Or will wail because of Him
    16. Revelation 1:9 Lit the witness of Jesus
    17. Revelation 1:10 Lit I became in the Spirit or in spirit
    18. Revelation 1:10 John was brought by God's Spirit into a realm of spiritual vision.
    19. Revelation 1:10 Sunday
    20. Revelation 1:11 Or book
    21. Revelation 1:13 Or like a son of man
    22. Revelation 1:15 Lit many
    23. Revelation 1:16 Lit like the sun shines in its power
    24. Revelation 1:20 Or mystery
    25. Revelation 1:20 Or messengers
    26. Revelation 1:20 Other mss add that you saw
    27. Revelation 2:1 Or messenger here and elsewhere
    28. Revelation 2:5 Other mss add quickly
    29. Revelation 2:7 Other mss read in the midst of
    30. Revelation 2:9 Other mss add works and
    31. Revelation 2:10 Or wreath
    32. Revelation 2:13 Other mss add your works and
    33. Revelation 2:13 Or deny My faith
    34. Revelation 2:14 Or to place a trap
    35. Revelation 2:14 Or commit fornication
    36. Revelation 2:15 Other mss add which I hate
    37. Revelation 2:17 Other mss add to eat
    38. Revelation 2:19 Or faith
    39. Revelation 2:20 Or commit fornication
    40. Revelation 2:21 Or her fornication
    41. Revelation 2:22 Other mss read their
    42. Revelation 2:23 Or I will surely kill her children
    43. Revelation 2:23 Lit kidneys
    44. Revelation 2:24 Or the secret things
    45. Revelation 2:27 Or rule; see [19:15]
    46. Revelation 3:1 Lit have a name
    47. Revelation 3:2 Other mss read guard
    48. Revelation 3:3 Other mss add upon you
    49. Revelation 3:3 Or upon you
    50. Revelation 3:4 Lit few names
    51. Revelation 3:4 Or soiled
    52. Revelation 3:10 Lit My word of endurance
    53. Revelation 3:14 Or Ruler, or Source, or Beginning
    54. Revelation 3:16 Or spit
    55. Revelation 3:19 Or be zealous
    56. Revelation 4:2 Lit I became in the Spirit or in spirit
    57. Revelation 4:3 Other mss omit and the One seated
    58. Revelation 4:3 A precious stone
    59. Revelation 4:3 A translucent red gem
    60. Revelation 4:6 Lit In the middle of the throne
    61. Revelation 4:8 Or they never rest