¹⁴ Because of the signs^(A) it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived^(B) the inhabitants of the earth.^(C) It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.^{(D) 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^(E) the image to be killed.^(F)

⁷ It was given power to wage war^(A) against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.^{(B) 8} All inhabitants of the earth^(C) will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life,^(D) the Lamb^(E) who was slain from the creation of the world.^[a](F)

² With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”^(A)

¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?^(A) Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”^[a](B)

Warning to Escape Babylon’s Judgment

⁴ Then I heard another voice from heaven say: