13:14a–b
The verse labeled 13:14b in the Berean Standard Bible is before 13:14a in the Greek. In some languages it is more natural to follow the Greek order (13:14b before 13:14a). See the General Comment at the end of 13:14b.
13:14a
Because of: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Because of indicates that the beast used the signs to deceive the people. For example:
by (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Through (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
by means of (Good News Translation)
it was given to perform: This is literally “which were given to him to do.” This is a passive clause. Some languages must use an active clause. Probably the dragon gave the power. (God allowed the beast to have this power as a part of his plan.) For example:
the signs which ⌊the dragon⌋ gave authority to him to do
-or-
the signs which he received power to do
on behalf of: Translate this phrase the same way you choose to translate the phrase “before him” in 13:12a (where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as part of the phrase “of the first beast”).
13:14b
it deceived those who dwell on the earth: This indicates that the beast caused people to believe lies and do wrong things. The same word occurs at 2:20d. There the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “misleads.” Here it probably indicates that it deceived people throughout the 42 months.
those who dwell on the earth: This phrase refers to people living on the earth. Another way to translate it is:
the people of the world
General Comment on 13:14a–b
The Berean Standard Bible has reordered these two clauses. In some languages it is more natural to follow the Greek order. For example:
14b He was deceiving the inhabitants of the earth 14a by the signs which were given to him to perform on behalf of the beast.
-or-
14b It fools those who live on earth 14a by the miracles it has been given the power to do. It does these miracles to serve the first beast. (New Century Version)
13:14c
telling them to make an image: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as make means to construct or build the image. The word also implies putting the image in a public place. For example:
The beast told them to build an image (Good News Translation)
-or-
He told those who live on the earth to make an image (NET Bible)
an image: Here the word image refers to a statue that looks like some person or some thing. This statue looked like the first beast:
a statue (God’s Word)
to the beast: The Berean Standard Bible literally represents the Greek here. This phrase indicates that the people honored the beast by making the statue that looked like him:
for the beast (Revised Standard Version)
13:14d
that had been wounded by the sword: This refers to the wound mentioned in 13:3a. It is not a new wound. This clause is passive. Some languages must use another kind of clause. For example:
whom ⌊someone⌋ wounded with the sword
-or-
who had the wound of the sword (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
who had a/the/that deep cut from a sword
sword: A sword is a sharp hand-held weapon that cuts or stabs. The swords of that time were 60–120 centimeters (2–4 feet) long and made of metal. See how you translated this word in 1:16 or 6:4.
General Comment on 13:14c–d
It is strongly implied that the people made the statue as the second beast told them to (13:14c). In some languages it is more natural to include this implied information at the end of 13:14d. For example:
…and yet lived. ⌊And they did so.⌋
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