¹⁶ He also caused^[a] everyone (small and great, rich and poor, free and slave^[b]) to obtain a mark on their right hand or on their forehead.

⁹ A^[a] third angel^[b] followed the first two,^[c] declaring^[d] in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand,

² So^[a] the first angel^[b] went and poured out his bowl on the earth. Then^[c] ugly and painful sores^[d] appeared on the people^[e] who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

²⁰ Now^[a] the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf^[b]—signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.^[c]

⁴ Then^[a] I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge.^[b] I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These^[c] had not worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. They^[d] came to life^[e] and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

²¹ “Then there will arise in his place a despicable person^[a] to whom the royal honor has not been rightfully conferred. He will come on the scene in a time of prosperity and will seize the kingdom through deceit. ²² Armies^[b] will be suddenly^[c] swept away in defeat^[d] before him; both they and a covenant leader^[e] will be destroyed.^{[f] 23} After^[g] entering into an alliance with him, he will behave treacherously; he will ascend to power with only a small force.^{[h] 24} In a time of prosperity for the most productive areas of the province he will come and accomplish what neither his fathers nor their fathers accomplished. He will distribute loot, spoils, and property to his followers, and he will devise plans against fortified cities, but not for long.^{[i] 25} He will rouse his strength and enthusiasm^[j] against the king of the south^[k] with a large army. The king of the south will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to prevail because of the plans devised against him. ²⁶ Those who share the king’s fine food will attempt to destroy him, and his army will be swept away;^[l] many will be killed in battle. ²⁷ These two kings, their minds^[m] filled with evil intentions, will trade^[n] lies with one another at the same table. But it will not succeed, for there is still an end at the appointed time. ²⁸ Then the king of the north^[o] will return to his own land with much property. His mind will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action, and then return to his own land. ²⁹ At an appointed time he will again invade the south, but this latter visit will not turn out the way the former one did. ³⁰ The ships of Kittim^[p] will come against him, leaving him disheartened.^[q] He will turn back and direct his indignation against the holy covenant. He will return and honor^[r] those who forsake the holy covenant. ³¹ His forces^[s] will rise up and profane the fortified sanctuary,^[t] stopping the daily sacrifice. In its place they will set up^[u] the abomination that causes desolation. ³² Then with smooth words he will defile^[v] those who have rejected^[w] the covenant. But the people who are loyal to^[x] their God will act valiantly.^{[y] 33} These who are wise among the people will teach the masses.^[z] However, they will fall^[aa] by the sword and by the flame,^[ab] and they will be imprisoned and plundered for some time.^{[ac] 34} When they stumble, they will be granted some help. But many will unite with them deceitfully. ³⁵ Even some of the wise will stumble, resulting in their refinement, purification, and cleansing until the time of the end, for it is still for the appointed time.

³⁶ “Then the king^[ad] will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every deity and he will utter presumptuous things against the God of gods. He will succeed until the time of^[ae] wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must occur.^{[af] 37} He will not respect^[ag] the gods of his fathers—not even the god loved by women.^[ah] He will not respect any god; he will elevate himself above them all. ³⁸ What he will honor is a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not acknowledge he will honor with gold, silver, valuable stones, and treasured commodities. ³⁹ He will attack^[ai] mighty fortresses, aided by^[aj] a foreign deity. To those who recognize him he will grant considerable honor. He will place them in authority over many people, and he will parcel out land for a price.^[ak]

⁴⁰ “At the time of the end the king of the south will attack^[al] him. Then the king of the north will storm against him^[am] with chariots, horsemen, and a large armada of ships.^[an] He^[ao] will invade lands, passing through them like an overflowing river.^{[ap] 41} Then he will enter the beautiful land.^[aq] Many^[ar] will fall, but these will escape:^[as] Edom, Moab, and the Ammonite leadership. ⁴² He will extend his power^[at] against other lands; the land of Egypt will not escape. ⁴³ He will have control over the hidden stores of gold and silver, as well as all the treasures of Egypt. Libyans and Ethiopians^[au] will submit to him.^[av]