¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.

¹⁷ But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.

³ This is good and pleases God our Savior,

¹⁵ You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.

²⁴ Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”

¹⁸ But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

¹⁴ But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say.”

⁹ Then a third angel followed them, shouting, “Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand ¹⁰ must drink the wine of God’s anger. It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. ¹¹ The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.”

¹² This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.

³ I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast. ⁴ They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast. “Who is as great as the beast?” they exclaimed. “Who is able to fight against him?”

⁵ Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. ⁶ And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven.^{[a] 7} And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. ⁸ And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.^[b]

This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.