The Beast out of the Earth

¹¹ Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth.^(A) It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.^{(B) 12} It exercised all the authority^(C) of the first beast on its behalf,^(D) and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast,^(E) whose fatal wound had been healed.^{(F) 13} And it performed great signs,^(G) even causing fire to come down from heaven^(H) to the earth in full view of the people. ¹⁴ Because of the signs^(I) it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived^(J) the inhabitants of the earth.^(K) It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.^{(L) 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^(M) the image to be killed.^{(N) 16} It also forced all people, great and small,^(O) rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,^{(P) 17} so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark,^(Q) which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.^(R)

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)

² The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land,^(A) and ugly, festering sores^(B) broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.^(C)

²⁰ But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet^(A) who had performed the signs^(B) on its behalf.^(C) With these signs he had deluded^(D) those who had received the mark of the beast^(E) and worshiped its image.^(F) The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake^(G) of burning sulfur.^(H)

⁴ I saw thrones^(A) on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.^(B) And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded^(C) because of their testimony about Jesus^(D) and because of the word of God.^(E) They^[a] had not worshiped the beast^(F) or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.^(G) They came to life and reigned^(H) with Christ a thousand years.