Daniel and His Friends Obey God
(cf. 2 Kin. 24:10–17)
1In the third year of the reign of aJehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. Stories About Courtiers
2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with bsome of the articles of 1the house of God, which he carried cinto the land of Shinar to the house of his god; dand he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
3Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring esome of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles,
4young men fin whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and gwhom they might teach the language and 2literature of the Chaldeans.
5And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might hserve before the king.
6Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
7iTo them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: jhe gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself kwith the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9Now lGod had brought Daniel into the favor and 3goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.
10And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
11So Daniel said to 4the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
13“Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”
14So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
15And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.
16Thus 5the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
17As for these four young men, mGod gave them nknowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had ounderstanding in all visions and dreams.
18Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19Then the king 6interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore pthey served before the king.
20qAnd in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.
21rThus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
1Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; aand his spirit was so troubled that bhis sleep left him. The Babylonian Chronicle
2cThen the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
3And the king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to 1know the dream.”
4Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, d“O2 king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.”
5The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “My 3decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be ecut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap.
6f“However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.”
7They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.”
8The king answered and said, “I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm:
9“if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the 4time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can 5give me its interpretation.”
10The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean.
11“It is a 6difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king gexcept the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
12For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
13So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought hDaniel and his companions, to kill them.
God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
14Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon;
15he answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so 7urgent?” Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel.
16So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation.
17Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions,
18ithat they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19Then the secret was revealed to Daniel jin a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20Daniel answered and said:
k“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
lFor wisdom and might are His.
21And He changes mthe times and the seasons;
nHe removes kings and raises up kings;
oHe gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22pHe reveals deep and secret things;
qHe knows what is in the darkness,
And rlight dwells with Him.
23“I thank You and praise You,
O God of my fathers;
You have given me wisdom and might,
And have now made known to me what we sasked of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s 8demand.”
Daniel Explains the Dream
24Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation.”
25Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king, and said thus to him, “I have found a man of the 9captives of Judah, who will make known to the king the interpretation.”
26The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?”
27Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king.
28t“But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar uwhat will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these:
29“As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; vand He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be.
30w“But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, xand that you may 10know the thoughts of your heart.
31“You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome.
32y“This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and 11thighs of bronze,
33“its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of 12clay.
34“You watched while a stone was cut out zwithout hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
35a“Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became blike chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that cno trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image dbecame a great mountain eand filled the whole earth.
36“This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. Image
37f“You, O king, are a king of kings. gFor the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory;
38h“and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—iyou are this head of gold.
39“But after you shall arise janother kingdom kinferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.
40“And lthe fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others.
41“Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay.
42“And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, mso the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly 13fragile.
43“As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.
44“And in the days of these kings nthe God of heaven will set up a kingdom owhich shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; pit shall 14break in pieces and 15consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
45q“Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”
Daniel and His Friends Promoted
46rThen King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering sand incense to him.
47The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly tyour God is the God of ugods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”
48vThen the king promoted Daniel wand gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and xchief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
49Also Daniel petitioned the king, yand he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel zsat in 16the gate of the king.
The Image of Gold
1Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was 1sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
2And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
3So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4Then a herald cried 2aloud: “To you it is commanded, aO peoples, nations, and languages,
5“that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; Image
6“and whoever does not fall down and worship shall bbe cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”
7So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Daniel’s Friends Disobey the King
8Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans ccame forward and accused the Jews.
9They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, d“O king, live forever!
10“You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image;
11“and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12e“There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have fnot paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”
13Then Nebuchadnezzar, in grage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king.
14Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?
15“Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, hgood! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. iAnd who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, jwe have no need to answer you in this matter.
17“If that is the case, our kGod whom we serve is able to ldeliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
18“But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we mworship the gold image which you have set up.”
Saved in Fiery Trial
19Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
20And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22Therefore, because the king’s command was 3urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his 4counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
25“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, nwalking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like othe5 Son of God.”
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
26Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the 6mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the pMost High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.
27And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men qon whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.
28Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His rAngel7 and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!
29s“Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the tGod of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be ucut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; vbecause there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
30Then the king 8promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream
1Nebuchadnezzar the king,
aTo all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you. The Neo-Babylonian Empire 626–539 BC
2I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders bthat the Most High God has worked for me.
3cHow great are His signs,
And how mighty His wonders!
His kingdom is dan everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.
4I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.
5I saw a dream which made me afraid, eand the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head ftroubled me.
6Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
7gThen the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation.
8But at last Daniel came before me h(his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; iin him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying:
9“Belteshazzar, jchief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.
10“These were the visions of my head while on my bed:
I was looking, and behold,
kA tree in the midst of the earth,
And its height was great.
11The tree grew and became strong;
Its height reached to the heavens,
And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.
12Its leaves were lovely,
Its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
lThe beasts of the field found shade under it,
The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches,
And all flesh was fed from it.
13“I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was ma watcher, na holy one, coming down from heaven.
14He cried 1aloud and said thus:
o‘Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.
pLet the beasts get out from under it,
And the birds from its branches.
15Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth,
Bound with a band of iron and bronze,
In the tender grass of the field.
Let it be wet with the dew of heaven,
And let him graze with the beasts
On the grass of the earth.
16Let his heart be changed from that of a man,
Let him be given the heart of a beast,
And let seven qtimes2 pass over him.
17‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers,
And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,
In order rthat the living may know
sThat the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
tGives it to whomever He will,
And sets over it the ulowest of men.’
18“This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, vsince all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, wfor the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.”
Daniel Explains the Second Dream
19Then Daniel, xwhose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts ytroubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.”
Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may zthe dream 3concern those who hate you, and its interpretation 4concern your enemies!
20aThe tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth,
21whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home—
22bit is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, cand your dominion to the end of the earth.
23dAnd inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, eand let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven 5times pass over him’;
24this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:
25They shall fdrive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you geat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven 6times shall pass over you, htill you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and igives it to whomever He chooses.
26And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that jHeaven7 rules.
27Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; kbreak off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. lPerhaps there may be ma 8lengthening of your prosperity.”
Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation
28All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.
29At the end of the twelve months he was walking 9about the royal palace of Babylon.
30The king nspoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
31oWhile the word was still in the king’s mouth, pa voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!
32And qthey shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven 10times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
33That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. The Tale of Ahiqar
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
34And rat the end of the 11time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him swho lives forever:
For His dominion is tan everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation. The Prayer of Nabonidus
35uAll the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
vHe does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
wNo one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, x“What have You done?”
36At the same time my reason returned to me, yand for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was zrestored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was aadded to me.
37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, bpraise and extol and honor the King of heaven, call of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. dAnd those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
Belshazzar’s Feast
1Belshazzar the king amade a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. Image
2While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels bwhich his 1father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.
3Then they brought the gold cvessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them.
4They drank wine, dand praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
5eIn the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
6Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his fknees knocked against each other.
7gThe king cried 2aloud to bring in hthe astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; iand he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
8Now all the king’s wise men came, jbut they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation.
9Then King Belshazzar was greatly ktroubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were 3astonished.
10The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change.
11l“There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your 4father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your 5father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.
12“Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and 6explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, mwhom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”
The Writing on the Wall Explained
13Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel 7who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my 8father the king brought from Judah?
14“I have heard of you, that nthe 9Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.
15“Now othe wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing.
16“And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and 10explain enigmas. pNow if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
17Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
18“O king, qthe Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your 11father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor.
19“And because of the majesty that He gave him, rall peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he sexecuted; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down.
20t“But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.
21“Then he was udriven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, vtill he 12knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.
22“But you his son, Belshazzar, whave not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.
23x“And you have 13lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the yvessels of 14His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, zwhich do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand aand owns all your ways, you have not glorified.
24“Then the 15fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.
25“And this is the inscription that was written:
26“This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it;
27“TEKEL: bYou have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;
28“PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the cMedes and dPersians.”19
29Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him ethat he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Belshazzar’s Fall
30fThat very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain.
31gAnd Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
The Plot Against Daniel
1It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom;
2and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss.
3Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, abecause an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
4bSo the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
5Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
6So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: c“King Darius, live forever!
7“All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have dconsulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Zoroastrianism
8“Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the elaw of the Medes and Persians, which 1does not alter.”
9Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open ftoward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees gthree times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
12hAnd they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, iaccording to the law of the Medes and Persians, which 2does not alter.”
13So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, jwho is 3one of the captives from Judah, kdoes not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14And the king, when he heard these words, lwas greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he 4labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
15Then these men 5approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is mthe law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”
17nThen a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, oand the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
Daniel Saved from the Lions
18Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no 6musicians were brought before him. pAlso his sleep 7went from him.
19Then the qking arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions.
20And when he came to the den, he cried out with a 8lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, rhas your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21Then Daniel said to the king, s“O king, live forever!
22t“My God sent His angel and ushut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, vbecause he believed in his God.
Darius Honors God
24And the king gave the command, wand they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, xtheir children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
25yThen King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
26zI make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must atremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
bFor He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be cdestroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27He delivers and rescues,
dAnd He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the 9power of the lions.
28So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius eand in the reign of fCyrus the Persian. The Cyrus Cylinder
Vision of the Four Beasts
1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, aDaniel 1had a dream and bvisions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling 2the main facts. Dreams and Dream Reports
2Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.
3“And four great beasts ccame up from the sea, each different from the other.
4“The first was dlike a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a eman’s heart was given to it.
5f“And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’
6“After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had gfour heads, and dominion was given to it.
7“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, ha fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, iand it had ten horns.
8“I was considering the horns, and jthere was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes kof a man, land a mouth speaking 3pompous words.
Vision of the Ancient of Days
9“Im watched till thrones were 4put in place,
And nthe Ancient of Days was seated;
oHis garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
pIts wheels a burning fire;
And came forth from before Him.
rA thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
And the books were opened.
11“I watched then because of the sound of the 6pompous words which the horn was speaking; tI watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.
12“As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, uOne like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
14vThen to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all wpeoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is xan everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel’s Visions Interpreted
15“I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit 7within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
16“I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:
17‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four 8kings which arise out of the earth.
18‘But ythe saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
19“Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet;
20“and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke 9pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.
21“I was watching; zand the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them,
22“until the Ancient of Days came, aand a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
23“Thus he said:
‘The fourth beast shall be
bA fourth kingdom on earth,
Which shall be different from all other kingdoms,
And shall devour the whole earth,
Trample it and break it in pieces.
24cThe ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom.
And another shall rise after them;
He shall be different from the first ones,
And shall subdue three kings.
25dHe shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall epersecute10 the saints of the Most High,
And shall fintend to change times and law.
Then gthe saints shall be given into his hand
hFor a time and times and half a time.
26‘Buti the court shall be seated,
And they shall jtake away his dominion,
To consume and destroy it forever.
27Then the kkingdom and dominion,
And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,
Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.
lHis kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
mAnd all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’
28“This is the end of the 11account. As for me, Daniel, nmy thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I okept the matter in my heart.”
Vision of a Ram and a Goat
1In1 the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me—to me, Daniel—after the one that appeared to me athe first time. Greek History
2I saw in the vision, and it so happened while I was looking, that I was in bShushan,2 the 3citadel, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in the vision that I was by the River Ulai.
3Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was chigher than the other, and the higher one came up last.
4I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could 4withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, dbut he did according to his will and became great.
5And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable ehorn between his eyes. Image
6Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power.
7And I saw him confronting the ram; he was moved with rage against him, 5attacked the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to withstand him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him; and there was no one that could deliver the ram from his hand.
8Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it ffour notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven.
9gAnd out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, htoward the east, and toward the iGlorious Land.
10jAnd it grew up to kthe host of heaven; and lit cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.
11mHe even exalted himself as high as nthe Prince of the host; oand by him pthe daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of 6His sanctuary was cast down.
12Because of transgression, qan army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast rtruth down to the ground. He sdid all this and prospered.
13Then I heard ta holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression 7of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”
14And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred 8days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”
Gabriel Interprets the Vision
15Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and uwas seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me vone having the appearance of a man.
16And I heard a man’s voice wbetween the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, x“Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”
17So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and yfell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.”
18zNow, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; abut he touched me, and stood me upright.
19And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; bfor at the appointed time the end shall be.
20“The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia.
21“And the 9male goat is the 10kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes cis the first king. Alexander’s Empire
22d“As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.
23“And in the latter time of their kingdom,
When the transgressors have reached their fullness,
A king shall arise,
Who understands sinister schemes.
24His power shall be mighty, fbut not by his own power;
He shall destroy 12fearfully,
gAnd shall prosper and thrive;
hHe shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.
He shall cause deceit to prosper under his 13rule;
jAnd he shall exalt himself in his heart.
He shall destroy many in their prosperity.
kHe shall even rise against the Prince of princes;
But he shall be lbroken without human 14means.
26“And the vision of the evenings and mornings
Which was told is true;
mTherefore seal up the vision,
For it refers to many days in the future.”
27nAnd I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was 15astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.
Daniel’s Prayer for the People
1In the first year aof Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—
2in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through bJeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
3cThen I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
4And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O dLord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,
5e“we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.
6f“Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land.
7“O Lord, grighteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day—to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.
8“O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.
9h“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.
10“We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.
11“Yes, iall Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the jLaw of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him.
12“And He has kconfirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; lfor under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem.
13m“As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; nyet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.
14“Therefore the LORD has okept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for pthe LORD our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.
15“And now, O Lord our God, qwho brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself ra name, as it is this day—we have sinned, we have done wickedly!
16“O Lord, saccording to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, tYour holy mountain; because for our sins, uand for the iniquities of our fathers, vJerusalem and Your people ware a reproach to all those around us.
17“Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, xand yfor the Lord’s sake 1cause Your face to shine on 2Your sanctuary, zwhich is desolate.
18a“O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes band see our desolations, and the city cwhich is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.
19“O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
The Seventy-Weeks Prophecy
20Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,
21yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man dGabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, 3being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.
22And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.
23“At the beginning of your supplications the 4command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly ebeloved; therefore fconsider the matter, and understand the vision:
24“Seventy 5weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
6To make an end of sins,
gTo make reconciliation for iniquity,
hTo bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
iAnd to anoint 7the Most Holy.
25“Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The 8street shall be built again, and the 9wall,
Even in troublesome times.
26“And after the sixty-two weeks
lMessiah shall 10be cut off, mbut not for Himself;
And nthe people of the prince who is to come
oShall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27Then he shall confirm pa 11covenant with qmany for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
rEven until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the 12desolate.”
Vision of the Glorious Man
1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose aname was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, 1but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.
2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
3I ate no 2pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the 3Tigris,
5I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in blinen, whose waist was cgirded with gold of Uphaz!
6His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, dand the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my 4vigor was turned to 5frailty in me, and I retained no strength.
9Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
Prophecies Concerning Persia and Greece
10eSuddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11And he said to me, “O Daniel, fman greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12Then he said to me, g“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, hyour words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
13i“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, jMichael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
14“Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people kin the latter days, lfor the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
15When he had spoken such words to me, mI 6turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.
16And suddenly, none having the likeness of the 7sons of men otouched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision pmy sorrows have 8overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.
17“For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”
18Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.
19qAnd he said, “O man greatly beloved, rfear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
20Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight swith the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.
21“But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, texcept Michael your prince.
1“Also ain the first year of bDarius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)
2“And now I will tell you the truth: Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece.
3“Then ca mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and ddo according to his will. Daniel and the Akkadian Prophecies
4“And when he has arisen, ehis kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity fnor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.
Warring Kings of North and South
5“Also the king of the South shall become strong, as well as one of his princes; and he shall gain power over him and have dominion. His dominion shall be a great dominion. Ptolemies and Seleucids
6“And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her 1authority, and neither he nor his 2authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times.
7“But from a branch of her roots one shall arise in his place, who shall come with an army, enter the fortress of the king of the North, and deal with them and prevail.
8“And he shall also carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their 3princes and their precious articles of silver and gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the North.
9“Also the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land.
10“However his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one shall certainly come gand overwhelm and pass through; then he shall return hto his fortress and stir up strife.
11“And the king of the South shall be imoved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the jmultitude shall be given into the hand of his enemy.
12“When he has taken away the multitude, his heart will be 4lifted up; and he will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail.
13“For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment.
14“Now in those times many shall rise up against the king of the South. Also, 5violent men of your people shall exalt themselves 6in fulfillment of the vision, but they shall kfall.
15“So the king of the North shall come and lbuild a siege mound, and take a fortified city; and the 7forces of the South shall not withstand him. Even his choice troops shall have no strength to resist.
16“But he who comes against him mshall do according to his own will, and nno one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his 8power.
17“He shall also oset his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and 9upright ones with him; thus shall he do. And he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it; but she shall not stand with him, por be for him.
18“After this he shall turn his face to the coastlands, and shall take many. But a ruler shall bring the reproach against them to an end; and with the reproach removed, he shall turn back on him.
19“Then he shall turn his face toward the fortress of his own land; but he shall qstumble and fall, rand not be found.
20“There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle.
21“And in his place sshall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue.
22“With the 10force of a tflood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, uand also the prince of the covenant.
23“And after the league is made with him vhe shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people.
24“He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, 11spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.
25“He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him.
26“Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall 12be swept away, and many shall fall down slain.
27“Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the wappointed time.
28“While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land.
The Northern King’s Blasphemies
29“At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter.
30x“For ships from 13Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant.
31“And 14forces shall be mustered by him, yand they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.
32“Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall 15corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
33“And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.
34“Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by 16intrigue.
35“And some of those of understanding shall fall, zto refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.
36“Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall aexalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.
37“He shall regard neither the 17God of his fathers nor the desire of women, bnor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.
38“But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.
39“Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for 18gain.
The Northern King’s Conquests
40“At the ctime of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him dlike a whirlwind, with chariots, ehorsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.
41“He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: fEdom, Moab, and the 19prominent people of Ammon.
42“He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of gEgypt shall not escape.
43“He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow hat his heels.
44“But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many.
45“And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and ithe glorious holy mountain; jyet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.
Prophecy of the End Time
1“At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
aAnd there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people bshall be delivered,
Every one who is found cwritten in the book.
2And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
dSome to everlasting life,
Some to shame eand everlasting 1contempt.
3Those who are wise shall fshine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
gAnd those who turn many to righteousness
hLike the stars forever and ever.
4“But you, Daniel, ishut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall jrun to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
5Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that kriverbank.
6And one said to the man clothed in llinen, who was above the waters of the river, m“How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?”
7Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he nheld up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him owho lives forever, pthat it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; qand when the power of rthe holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
8Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
9And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10s“Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, tbut the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but uthe wise shall understand.
11“And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12“Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
13“But you, go your way till the end; vfor you shall rest, wand will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” Image