Antiochus in Egypt. ^16 (A)When his kingdom seemed secure, Antiochus undertook to become king of the land of Egypt and to rule over both kingdoms. ¹⁷ He invaded Egypt with a strong force, with chariots, elephants^[a] and cavalry, and with a large fleet, ¹⁸ to make war on Ptolemy,^[b] king of Egypt. Ptolemy was frightened at his presence and fled, and many were wounded and fell dead. ¹⁹ The fortified cities in the land of Egypt were captured, and Antiochus plundered the land of Egypt.

²⁵ He shall rouse his strength and courage to meet the king of the south with a great army; the king of the south shall go into battle with a very large and strong army, but he shall not stand because of the plots devised against him. ²⁶ Even his table companions shall seek to destroy him, his army shall be overwhelmed, and many shall be struck down. ²⁷ The two kings, resolved on evil, shall sit at table together and exchange lies, but they shall have no success, because the appointed end is not yet.

²⁸ “He^[a] shall turn back toward his land with great riches, his mind set against the holy covenant; he shall take action and return to his land. ²⁹ At the time appointed he shall come again to the south, but this time it shall not be as before. ³⁰ When ships of the Kittim^[b] confront him, he shall lose heart and retreat. Then he shall rage against the holy covenant and take action; he shall again favor those who forsake the holy covenant.