Absalom would then say, “If only they would make me ¹  a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint ²  could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.”

So be patient, brothers and sisters, ¹  until the Lord’s return. ²  Think of how the farmer waits ³  for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient ⁴  for it until it receives the early and late rains.

And the smoke from their ¹  torture will go up ²  forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have ³  no rest day or night, along with ⁴  anyone who receives the mark of his name.”

The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, ¹  I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white ²  stone, ³  and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand ⁴  except the one who receives it.’