1 Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads; on each of its horns there was a crown, and on each of its heads there was a name that was insulting to God.
2 The beast looked like a leopard, with feet like a bear's feet and a mouth like a lion's mouth. The dragon gave the beast his own power, his throne, and his vast authority.
3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have been fatally wounded, but the wound had healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.
4 Everyone worshiped the dragon because he had given his authority to the beast. They worshiped the beast also, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who can fight against it?”
5 The beast was allowed to make proud claims which were insulting to God, and it was permitted to have authority for forty-two months.
6 It began to curse God, his name, the place where he lives, and all those who live in heaven.
7 It was allowed to fight against God's people and to defeat them, and it was given authority over every tribe, nation, language, and race.