AUV(i)
1 And I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was covered by a cloud and there was a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun and his legs were like pillars of fire.
2 He held in his hand a little book [i.e., scroll] which was open. And he placed his right foot on the ocean and his left foot on the land,
3 and he called out in a loud voice, like a roaring lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders responded to the voice [of the angel]. [Note: These “seven thunders” have not been previously mentioned].
4 And when the seven thunders spoke [words], I started to write down [what the voices said], but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have [just] said, and do not write them down.”
5 And the angel I saw standing on the ocean and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven
6 and took an oath to God, who lives forever and ever, and who created heaven and earth and [all] the things in them, and the ocean and [all] the things in it [saying], “There will be no further delay [i.e., before God’s purposes are fulfilled].
7 But in the days when the seventh angel is ready to sound his trumpet, then the secret plan of God will be accomplished, just as He [had] announced to His servants the prophets.”
8 Then the voice which I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go [and] take the open book [being held] in the hand of the angel [See verse 2], who is standing on the ocean and on the land.”
9 So, I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little book. And he said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will be sweet as honey to your taste, but will cause you to have a sour stomach.”
10 So, I took the little book from the angel’s hand and ate it. And [sure enough], it was sweet as honey to my taste, but after eating it, it gave me a sour stomach.
11 And they said to me [Note: The plural “they” may mean simply “it was told to me”], “You must prophesy again about many races, and nations, and language groups and kings.”