They were given power, not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a person.
KJV
Revelation 9:5
And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
Parallel Translations
And to them was comanded that they should not kill them, but that they should be vexed fiue moneths, and that their paine should be as the paine that commeth of a scorpion, when he hath stung a man.
Cross References
Revelation 9:10Job 2:6Revelation 9:3Daniel 5:18–22Revelation 13:7Revelation 13:5Revelation 11:7John 19:11
Cross references via openbible.info (CC-BY)