John Eats the Little Book

8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”

9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.”

And he said to me, k“Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”

10 Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, land it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, mmy stomach became bitter. 11 And 4he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

The Two Witnesses

11 Then I was given aa reed like a measuring rod. 1And the angel stood, saying, b“Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out cthe court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, dfor it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will etread the holy city underfoot for fforty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two gwitnesses, hand they will prophesy ione thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These are the jtwo olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the 2God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, kfire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. lAnd if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These mhave power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

The Witnesses Killed

7 When they nfinish their testimony, othe beast that ascends pout of the bottomless pit qwill make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of rthe great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, swhere also 3our Lord was crucified. 9 tThen those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations 4will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, uand not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 vAnd those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, wand send gifts to one another, xbecause these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

The Witnesses Resurrected

11 yNow after the three-and-a-half days zthe breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And 5they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” aAnd they ascended to heaven bin a cloud, cand their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour dthere was a great earthquake, eand a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid fand gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 gThe second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.