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Home  »  library  »  prose  »  Apocalypse v. 1–14

C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Apocalypse v. 1–14

By John Wycliffe (c. 1324–1384)

AND I saw in the right hand of the sitter on the throne, a book written with in and with out, and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel, preaching with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to undo the seals of it? And none in heaven, neither in earth, neither under earth, might open the book, neither behold it. And I wept much, for none was found worthy to open the book, neither to see it. And one of the elder men said to me, Weep thou not: lo! a lion of the lineage of Judah, the root of David, hath overcome to open the book, and to undo the seven seals of it. And I saw, and lo! in the middle of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the middle of the elder men, a lamb standing as slain, that had seven horns, and seven eyne, which be seven spirits of God, sent in to all the earth. And he came, and took of the right hand of the sitter in the throne the book. And when he had opened the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty elder men fell down before the lamb; and had each of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which be the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, and said, Lord our God, thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals of it; for thou wert slain, and againboughtest us to God in thy blood, of each lineage, and tongue, and people, and nation; and madest us a kingdom, and priests to our God; and we shall reign on earth. And I saw, and heard the voice of many angels all about the throne, and of the beasts, and of the elder men. And the number of them was thousands of thousands, saying with a great voice, The lamb that was slain, is worthy to take virtue, and godhead, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And each creature that is in heaven, and that is on earth, and under earth, and the sea, and which things be in it, I heard all saying, To him that sat in the throne, and to the lamb, blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, in to worlds of worlds. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elder men fell down on their faces, and worshiped him that liveth in to worlds of worlds.