² The beast I saw resembled a leopard,^(A) but had feet like those of a bear^(B) and a mouth like that of a lion.^(C) The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.^{(D) 3} One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.^(E) The whole world was filled with wonder^(F) and followed the beast. ⁴ People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like^(G) the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

⁵ The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies^(H) and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.^{(I) 6} It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.^{(J) 7} It was given power to wage war^(K) against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.^{(L) 8} All inhabitants of the earth^(M) will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life,^(N) the Lamb^(O) who was slain from the creation of the world.^[a](P)