4 They worshipped the dragon because it had given the beast its authority. They worshipped the beast and said, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?"
5 The beast was given a mouth that spoke boastful and blasphemous things, and it was given authority to act for forty-two months.
6 It opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God. It blasphemed God’s name and his dwelling place (that is, those who dwell in heaven).
7 It was also allowed to make war on the saints and to gain victory over them. It was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.
8 All who live on earth worshipped it, all whose names hadn’t been written—from the time the earth was made—in the scroll of life of the Lamb who was slain.
9 Whoever has ears must listen:
10 If any are to be taken captive, then into captivity they will go. If any are to be killed by the sword, then by the sword they will be killed. This calls for endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.