⁵ And the beast was given a mouth (the power of speech), uttering great things and arrogant and blasphemous words, and he was given freedom and authority to act and to do as he pleased for ^[a]forty-two months (three and a half years).^{(A) 6} And he opened his mouth to speak blasphemies (abusive speech, slander) against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, and those who live in heaven.

⁷ He was also ^[b]permitted to wage war against the saints (God’s people) and to overcome them, and authority and power over every tribe and people and language and nation.^(B)