⁴ People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like^(A) the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

² The beast I saw resembled a leopard,^(A) but had feet like those of a bear^(B) and a mouth like that of a lion.^(C) The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.^(D)

¹⁸ When they see the smoke of her burning,^(A) they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city^(B)?’^(C)

¹⁵ The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship^(A) the image to be killed.^(B)

¹² It exercised all the authority^(A) of the first beast on its behalf,^(B) and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast,^(C) whose fatal wound had been healed.^{(D) 13} And it performed great signs,^(E) even causing fire to come down from heaven^(F) to the earth in full view of the people.

³ Then another sign appeared in heaven:^(A) an enormous red dragon^(B) with seven heads^(C) and ten horns^(D) and seven crowns^(E) on its heads.

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)

The King Who Exalts Himself

³⁶ “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself^(A) above every god and will say unheard-of things^(B) against the God of gods.^(C) He will be successful until the time of wrath^(D) is completed, for what has been determined must take place.^{(E) 37} He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.