³ Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit^(A) into a wilderness.^(B) There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet^(C) beast that was covered with blasphemous names^(D) and had seven heads and ten horns.^(E)

⁷ Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery^(A) of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.^{(B) 8} The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss^(C) and go to its destruction.^(D) The inhabitants of the earth^(E) whose names have not been written in the book of life^(F) from the creation of the world will be astonished^(G) when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

⁹ “This calls for a mind with wisdom.^(H) The seven heads^(I) are seven hills on which the woman sits. ¹⁰ They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. ¹¹ The beast who once was, and now is not,^(J) is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

¹² “The ten horns^(K) you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour^(L) will receive authority as kings along with the beast. ¹³ They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.^{(M) 14} They will wage war^(N) against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over^(O) them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings^(P)—and with him will be his called, chosen^(Q) and faithful followers.”