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?”

⁵ The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies^(B) and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.^{(C) 6} It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.^{(D) 7} It was given power to wage war^(E) against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.^{(F) 8} All inhabitants of the earth^(G) will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life,^(H) the Lamb^(I) who was slain from the creation of the world.^[a](J)

⁹ A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast^(A) and its image^(B) and receives its mark on their forehead^(C) or on their hand, ¹⁰ they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury,^(D) which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath.^(E) They will be tormented with burning sulfur^(F) in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever.^(G) There will be no rest day or night^(H) for those who worship the beast and its image,^(I) or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”^(J)