¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;^(A)

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.^[a](A)

¹⁷ But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live.^(A)

³ This is right and acceptable before God our Savior,^(A)

¹⁵ I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

²⁴ Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”^(A)

¹⁸ But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.”

⁹ Then another angel, a third, followed them, crying with a loud voice, “Those who worship the beast and its image and receive the brand on their foreheads or on their hands,^{(A) 10} they will also drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of his anger, and they will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.^{(B) 11} And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image and for anyone who receives the brand of its name.”^(C)

¹² Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of^[a] Jesus.^(D)

³ One of its heads seemed to have received a death blow, but its fatal wound^[a] had been healed. In amazement the whole earth followed the beast.^{(A) 4} They worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”^(B)

⁵ The beast was given a mouth speaking arrogant and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.^{(C) 6} It opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. ⁷ Also, it was allowed to wage war on the saints and to conquer them.^[b] It was given authority over every tribe and people and language and nation,^{(D) 8} and all the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered.^[c](E)

⁹ Let anyone who has an ear listen:

Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.^(F)