1 I looked and saw a beast coming up from the sea. This one had ten horns and seven heads, and a crown was on each of its ten horns. On each of its heads were names that were an insult to God.
2 The beast that I saw had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. The dragon handed over its own power and throne and great authority to this beast.
3 One of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but now it was well. Everyone on earth marvelled at this beast,
4 and they worshipped the dragon who had given its authority to the beast. They also worshipped the beast and said, “No one is like this beast! No one can fight against it.”
5 The beast was allowed to boast and claim to be God, and for forty-two months it was allowed to rule.
6 The beast cursed God, and it cursed the name of God. It even cursed the place where God lives, as well as everyone who lives in heaven with God.
7 It was allowed to fight against God's people and defeat them. It was also given authority over the people of every tribe, nation, language, and race.