1 I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and a crown was given to him. He went out conquering and to conquer.

3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 Another horse came out, fiery red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth so that people would slaughter one another, and a great sword was given to him.

5 When he opened the third seal, 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 And I heard what sounded like a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “About a quart of wheat for a day's wage, and about three quarts of barley for a day's wage! Do not harm the oil and the wine.”

7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 I looked, and there was a pale green horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades followed him. They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, pestilence, and the wild beasts of the earth.

9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and because of the testimony they held. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, holy and true Master, until you judge those who dwell on the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 A white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow slaves and brothers and sisters who were to be killed as they were was complete.

12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood. 13 The stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky withdrew like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15 The kings of the earth, the great men, the military commanders, the rich, the mighty, and everyone, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 And they say to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”