The Beast out of the Earth

¹¹ Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth.^(A) It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.^{(B) 12} It exercised all the authority^(C) of the first beast on its behalf,^(D) and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast,^(E) whose fatal wound had been healed.^{(F) 13} And it performed great signs,^(G) even causing fire to come down from heaven^(H) to the earth in full view of the people. ¹⁴ Because of the signs^(I) it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived^(J) the inhabitants of the earth.^(K) It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.^(L)

³ One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.^(A) The whole world was filled with wonder^(B) and followed the beast. ⁴ People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like^(C) the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

⁴ He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God^(A) or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.^(B)

⁵ Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?^{(C) 6} And now you know what is holding him back,^(D) so that he may be revealed at the proper time. ⁷ For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back^(E) will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed,^(F) whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth^(G) and destroy by the splendor of his coming.^{(H) 9} The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan^(I) works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders^(J) that serve the lie, ¹⁰ and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.^(K) They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.^{(L) 11} For this reason God sends them^(M) a powerful delusion^(N) so that they will believe the lie^(O)