5 The beast was given a mouth to utter boasts and blasphemies.v It was allowed to exercise authorityG,H for forty-two months.w 6 It began to speakI blasphemies against God: to blaspheme his name and his dwelling—those who dwell in heaven. 7 And it was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them.x It was also given authorityy over every tribe, people, language, and nation.z 8 All those who live on the earth will worship it, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the bookJ of lifeaa of the Lamb who was slaughtered.K,ab

9 If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.ac

10 If anyone is to be taken captive,

into captivity he goes.

If anyone is to be killedL with a sword,

with a sword he will be killed.ad

This calls for enduranceM and faithfulness from the saints.ae