¹I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns, seven heads, and ten crowns on its horns. There were insulting names on its heads. ²The beast that I saw was like a leopard. Its feet were like bear’s feet. Its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The serpent gave its power, kingdom, and far-reaching authority to the beast. ³One of the beast’s heads looked like it had a fatal wound, but its fatal wound was healed.

All the people of the world were amazed and followed the beast. ⁴They worshiped the serpent because it had given authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, “Who is like the beast? Who can fight a war with it?” ⁵The beast was allowed to speak arrogant and insulting things. It was given authority to act for 42 months. ⁶It opened its mouth to insult God, to insult his name and his tent—those who are living in heaven. ⁷It was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. It was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. ⁸Everyone living on earth will worship it, everyone whose name is not written in the Book of Life. That book belongs to the lamb who was slaughtered before the creation of the world.

⁹If anyone has ears, let him listen:

¹⁰If anyone is taken prisoner, he must go to prison.

If anyone is killed with a sword, with a sword he must be killed.

In this situation God’s holy people need endurance and confidence.

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