9. “You need wisdom to understand this. The seven heads on the beast are the seven hills where the woman sits. They are also seven rulers.
10. Five of the rulers have already died. One of the rulers lives now, and the last ruler is coming. When he comes, he will stay only a short time.
11. The beast that was once alive but is no longer living is an eighth ruler. This eighth ruler also belongs to the first seven rulers. And he will go away to be destroyed.
12. “The ten horns you saw are ten rulers. These ten rulers have not yet received their kingdom, but they will receive power to rule with the beast for one hour.
13. All ten of these rulers have the same purpose. And they will give their power and authority to the beast.
14. They will make war against the Lamb. But the Lamb will defeat them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. And with him will be his chosen and faithful followers—the people he has called to be his.”
15. Then the angel said to me, “You saw the waters where the prostitute sits. These waters are the many peoples, the different races, nations, and languages in the world.
16. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will take everything she has and leave her naked. They will eat her flesh and destroy her with fire.
17. God put the idea in their minds to do what would complete his purpose. They agreed to give the beast their power to rule until what God has said is completed.
18. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”