Daniel 8:8-27

New International Version

⁸ The goat became very great, but at the height of its power the large horn was broken off,^(A) and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.^(B)

⁹ Out of one of them came another horn, which started small^(C) but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land.^{(D) 10} It grew until it reached^(E) the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth^(F) and trampled^(G) on them. ¹¹ It set itself up to be as great as the commander^(H) of the army of the Lord;^(I) it took away the daily sacrifice^(J) from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down.^{(K) 12} Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people^[a] and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.^(L)

¹³ Then I heard a holy one^(M) speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled^(N)—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot^(O) of the Lord’s people?”

¹⁴ He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”^(P)

The Interpretation of the Vision

¹⁵ While I, Daniel, was watching the vision^(Q) and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man.^{(R) 16} And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai^(S) calling, “Gabriel,^(T) tell this man the meaning of the vision.”^(U)

¹⁷ As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate.^(V) “Son of man,”^[b] he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”^(W)

¹⁸ While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.^(X) Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.^(Y)

¹⁹ He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath,^(Z) because the vision concerns the appointed time^(AA) of the end.^{[c](AB) 20} The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.^{(AC) 21} The shaggy goat is the king of Greece,^(AD) and the large horn between its eyes is the first king.^{(AE) 22} The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.

²³ “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. ²⁴ He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people.^{(AF) 25} He will cause deceit^(AG) to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes.^(AH) Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.^(AI)

²⁶ “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true,^(AJ) but seal^(AK) up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”^(AL)

²⁷ I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted^(AM) for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business.^(AN) I was appalled^(AO) by the vision; it was beyond understanding.