The beast was given a mouth: here mouth represents the power of speech; “was allowed to speak,” “received the ability (or, power) to speak.” The passive verb points to God as the one who allows the beast to speak. So in those languages that do not use the passive, one may say “God allowed the beast to….”

Uttering haughty and blasphemous words: the Greek text says “great (utterances) and blasphemies,” which may be understood to mean “outrageous blasphemies.” For “blasphemy” see Rev. 13.1. For the whole statement see Dan 7.8, 20, 25. As translated by Good News Translation, the “proud claims” were themselves insults to God. The idea is that the beast was claiming rights and authority that belong only to God. One may also render this as “boast about his authority and thus insult God.”

It was allowed to exercise authority: again, God is in control; “God allowed the beast to have authority.”

Forty-two months: see 11.2-3.

Alternative translation models for languages that do not use the passive are:

• The beast received the right to boast about himself and thus insult God. He received authority to act for forty-two months.

Or:

• God allowed the beast to boast about his authority and thus insult him (God). God permitted him to have this authority for forty-two months.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .