⁵ A mouth was given to him to speak boasts and blasphemies.^(A) He was also given authority to act^[a][b] for 42 months.^{(B) 6} He began to speak^[c] blasphemies against God: to blaspheme His name and His dwelling—those who dwell in heaven. ⁷ And he was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. He was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.^{(C) 8} All those who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book^[d] of life^(D) of the Lamb who was slaughtered.^[e](E)

⁹ If anyone has an ear, he should listen:^(F)

This demands the perseverance^[g] and faith of the saints.^(H)

The Beast from the Earth

¹¹ Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; he had two horns like a lamb,^[h](I) but he sounded like a dragon. ¹² He exercises all the authority of the first beast on his behalf and compels the earth and those who live on it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. ¹³ He also performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in front of people. ¹⁴ He deceives those who live on the earth^(J) because of the signs that he is permitted to perform on behalf of the beast,^(K) telling those who live on the earth to make an image^[i] of the beast who had the sword wound and yet lived. ¹⁵ He was permitted to give a spirit^[j] to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. ¹⁶ And he requires everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark^[k] on his right hand or on his forehead,^{(L) 17} so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast’s name or the number of his name.

¹⁸ Here is wisdom:^[l](M) The one who has understanding must calculate^[m] the number of the beast, because it is the number of a man.^[n] His number is 666.^[o]

Interpretation of the Vision

¹⁵ “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me,^[a] and the visions in my mind terrified me.^{(A) 16} I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him^(B) the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things:^{(C) 17} ‘These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth. ¹⁸ But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.’^(D)

¹⁹ “Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast,^(E) the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left. ²⁰ I also wanted to know about the 10 horns^(F) on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell—the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly,^(G) and that was more visible than the others. ²¹ As I was watching, this horn waged war^(H) against the holy ones and was prevailing over them ²² until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment^(I) was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.

²³ “This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. ²⁴ The 10 horns^(J) are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings. ²⁵ He will speak words against the Most High^(K) and oppress^[b] the holy ones^(L) of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals^[c] and laws,^(M) and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.^{[d](N) 26} But the court will convene,^(O) and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.^{(P) 27} The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom,^(Q) and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’

²⁸ “This is the end of the interpretation. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts terrified me greatly,^(R) and my face turned pale,^[e] but I kept the matter to myself.”^(S)