³ One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and ^(A)the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.

⁸ The beast that you saw ^(A)was, and is not, and ^(B)is about to rise from ^(C)the bottomless pit^[a] and ^(D)go to destruction. And ^(E)the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in ^(F)the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because ^(G)it was and is not and is to come.

¹⁴ and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of^[a] the beast ^(A)it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast ^(B)that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

¹⁷ for ^(A)God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and ^(B)handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

²⁴ And ^(A)I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put ^(B)my sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before him ^(C)like a man mortally wounded.

¹³ These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.

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, ^(A)whose mortal wound was healed.

The First Beast

13 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, ^(A)with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and ^(B)blasphemous names on its heads. ² And the beast that I saw was ^(C)like a leopard; its feet were like ^(D)a bear's, and its mouth was like ^(E)a lion's mouth. And to it ^(F)the dragon gave his power and ^(G)his throne and great authority.

⁹ The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan ^(A)with all power and false signs and wonders, ¹⁰ and with all wicked deception for ^(B)those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹ Therefore ^(C)God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe ^(D)what is false, ¹² in order that all may be condemned ^(E)who did not believe the truth but ^(F)had pleasure in unrighteousness.