Revelation 17:1-18 TLB

[1] One of the seven angels who had poured out the plagues came over and talked with me. "Come with me," he said, "and I will show you what is going to happen to the Notorious Prostitute, who sits upon the many waters of the world. [2] The kings of the world have had immoral relations with her, and the people of the earth have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality." [3] So the angel took me in spirit into the wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet animal that had seven heads and ten horns, written all over with blasphemies against God. [4] The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls, and held in her hand a golden goblet full of obscenities: [5] A mysterious caption was written on her forehead: "Babylon the Great, Mother of Prostitutes and of Idol Worship Everywhere around the World." [6] I could see that she was drunk-drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus she had killed. I stared at her in horror. [7] "Why are you so surprised?" the angel asked. "I'll tell you who she is and what the animal she is riding represents. [8] He was alive but isn't now. And yet, soon he will come up out of the bottomless pit and go to eternal destruction; and the people of earth, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life before the world began, will be dumbfounded at his reappearance after being dead. [9] "And now think hard: his seven heads represent a certain city built on seven hills where this woman has her residence. [10] They also represent seven kings. Five have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief. [11] The scarlet animal that died is the eighth king, having reigned before as one of the seven; after his second reign, he too, will go to his doom. [12] His ten horns are ten kings who have not yet risen to power; they will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment, to reign with him. [13] They will all sign a treaty giving their power and strength to him. [14] Together they will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them; for he is Lord over all lords, and King of kings, and his people are the called and chosen and faithful ones. [15] "The oceans, lakes, and rivers that the woman is sitting on represent masses of people of every race and nation. [16] "The scarlet animal and his ten horns-which represent ten kings who will reign with him-all hate the woman, and will attack her and leave her naked and ravaged by fire. [17] For God will put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes: They will mutually agree to give their authority to the scarlet animal so that the words of God will be fulfilled. [18] And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."