¹² And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression,^[a] and it will throw truth to the ground, and ^(A)it will act and prosper.

²⁸ And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.

Judgment and Redemption

The Second Beast

¹¹ Then ^(A)I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. ¹² It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence,^[a] and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, ^(B)whose mortal wound was healed. ^13 (C)It performs great signs, even ^(D)making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, ¹⁴ and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of^[b] the beast ^(E)it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast ^(F)that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. ¹⁵ And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not ^(G)worship the image of the beast ^(H)to be slain. ¹⁶ Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave,^{[c] (I)}to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, ¹⁷ so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, ^(J)the name of the beast or ^(K)the number of its name.

⁷ Also it was allowed ^(A)to make war on the saints and to conquer them.^[a] And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,

¹⁰ and with all wicked deception for ^(A)those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹ Therefore ^(B)God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe ^(C)what is false, ¹² in order that all may be condemned ^(D)who did not believe the truth but ^(E)had pleasure in unrighteousness.

³¹ Forces from him shall appear and ^(A)profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And ^(B)they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. ³² He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. ^33 (C)And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. ³⁴ When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, ³⁵ and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, ^(D)purified, and ^(E)made white, until ^(F)the time of the end, ^(G)for it still awaits the appointed time.

³⁶ “And the king shall ^(H)do as he wills. ^(I)He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, ^(J)and shall speak astonishing things against ^(K)the God of gods. ^(L)He shall prosper ^(M)till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.

⁴ I saw ^(A)the ram charging westward and northward and southward. No ^(B)beast ^(C)could stand before him, ^(D)and there was no one who could rescue from his power. ^(E)He did as he pleased and ^(F)became great.

Jeremiah's Complaint