1Then I was given a measuring reed11:1 Ezk 40:3,5; 42:15–19; Rv 21:15 like a rod,11:1 Other mss add and the angel stood up with these words: “Go11:1 Lit “Arise and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who worship there.

2But exclude the courtyard outside the temple.11:2 Ezk 40:17,20; 42:14 Don’t measure it, because it is given to the nations,11:2 Or Gentiles11:2 Lk 21:24 and they will trample the holy city11:2 Rv 21:1 for forty-two months.11:2 Dn 7:25; 12:7,11; Rv 12:6,14; 13:5

3I will grant11:3 Or I will give to my two witnesses authority to prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth.”11:3 Gn 37:34; 2Sm 3:31; 1Kg 20:31–32; 21:25–29; 2Kg 19:1–2; 1Ch 21:16; Is 3:24; 20:2; Jr 6:26

4These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord11:4 Other mss read God of the earth.11:4 Zch 4:3,11–14

5If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and consumes their enemies;11:5 2Kg 1:10–12; Jr 5:14; Rv 9:17 if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way.

6They have authority to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the days of their prophecy.11:6 Gn 8:2; Dt 11:17; 1Kg 8:35; 17:1; 2Ch 6:26; 7:13; Lk 4:25 They also have power over the waters to turn them into blood11:6 Ex 4:9; 7:17–21; Rv 16:4 and to strike the earth with every plague whenever they want.11:6 Ex 5:3; 9:15; Jr 21:6; Ezk 28:23; Zch 14:12,15

7When they finish their testimony, the beast11:7 Dn 7:11; Rv 13:1–18; 17:8 that comes up out of the abyss11:7 Ps 140:10; Lk 8:31; Rm 10:7; Rv 9:1,11; 17:8; 20:1–3 will make war on them, conquer them, and kill them.

8Their dead bodies11:8 Or Their corpse11:8 Is 66:24 will lie in the main street11:8 Or lie on the broad street of the great city,11:8 Rv 16:19; 17:18; 18:10,16–21,24 which figuratively11:8 Or spiritually is called Sodom11:8 Is 1:9,10; 3:9; Jr 23:14; Ezk 16:46,49 and Egypt,11:8 Ezk 23:3,8,19,27 where also their Lord was crucified.

9And some of11:9 Lit And from the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations11:9 Rv 5:9; 7:9; 10:11 will view their bodies for three and a half days and not permit their bodies to be put into a tomb.11:9 Lv 26:30; 2Sm 4:12; Is 66:24

10Those who live on the earth will gloat11:10 Ps 25:2; 94:3; Pr 24:17; Ob 12–13 over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

11But after three and a half days, the breath11:11 Or spirit of life11:11 Gn 2:7; 6:17; 7:15,22; Ezk 37:5 from God entered them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them.

12Then they heard11:12 Other mss read Then I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” They went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them.11:12 2Kg 2:1; Mk 16:19; Lk 24:51; Ac 1:9–10

13At that moment a violent earthquake took place,11:13 Is 29:6; Ezk 38:19 a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

15The seventh angel blew his trumpet,11:15 Is 27:13 and there were loud voices in heaven saying,

16The twenty-four elders, who were seated before God on their thrones, fell facedown and worshiped God,

17saying,