First ReadingRevelation 7:9-17
From the Book of Revelation
or 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
9After these things I looked,and behold, a great multitude which no man could count,out of every nation and of all tribes,peoples, and languages,standing before the throne and before the Lamb,dressed in white robes,with palm branches in their hands.10They cried with a loud voice,saying, “Salvation be to our God,who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
11All the angels were standing around the throne,the elders, and the four living creatures;and they fell on their faces before his throne,and worshiped God,12saying, “Amen!Blessing, glory, wisdom,thanksgiving, honor,power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
13One of the elders answered,saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes,who are they, and where did they come from?”
14I told him, “My lord, you know.”
He said to me, “These are thosewho came out of the great suffering.They washed their robesand made them white in the Lamb’s blood.15Therefore they are before the throne of God,and they serve him day and night in his temple.He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.16They will never be hungry or thirsty any more.The sun won’t beat on them, nor any heat;17for the Lambwho is in the middle of the throne shepherds themand leads them to springs of life-giving waters.And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”