² And the beast that I saw was ^(A)like a leopard; its feet were like ^(B)a bear's, and its mouth was like ^(C)a lion's mouth. And to it ^(D)the dragon gave his power and ^(E)his throne and great authority. ³ One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and ^(F)the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. ⁴ And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, ^(G)“Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

⁵ And the beast was given ^(H)a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for ^(I)forty-two months. ⁶ It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling,^[a] that is, those who dwell in heaven. ⁷ Also it was allowed ^(J)to make war on the saints and to conquer them.^[b] And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, ⁸ and all ^(K)who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in ^(L)the book of life of ^(M)the Lamb ^(N)who was slain.