¹⁰ It grew until it reached^(A) the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth^(B) and trampled^(C) on them. ¹¹ It set itself up to be as great as the commander^(D) of the army of the Lord;^(E) it took away the daily sacrifice^(F) from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down.^{(G) 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.^(H)

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

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

The Interpretation of the Vision

¹⁵ While I, Daniel, was watching the vision^(M) and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man.^{(N) 16} And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai^(O) calling, “Gabriel,^(P) tell this man the meaning of the vision.”^(Q)

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

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

¹⁹ He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath,^(V) because the vision concerns the appointed time^(W) of the end.^{[c](X) 20} The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.^{(Y) 21} The shaggy goat is the king of Greece,^(Z) and the large horn between its eyes is the first king.^{(AA) 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.^{(AB) 25} He will cause deceit^(AC) 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.^(AD) Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.^(AE)

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

²¹ “He will be succeeded by a contemptible^(A) person who has not been given the honor of royalty.^(B) He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue. ²² Then an overwhelming army will be swept away^(C) before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.^{(D) 23} After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully,^(E) and with only a few people he will rise to power. ²⁴ When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers.^(F) He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time.

²⁵ “With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him. ²⁶ Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. ²⁷ The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil,^(G) will sit at the same table and lie^(H) to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.^{(I) 28} The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.

²⁹ “At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. ³⁰ Ships of the western coastlands^(J) will oppose him, and he will lose heart.^(K) Then he will turn back and vent his fury^(L) against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

³¹ “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice.^(M) Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.^{(N) 32} With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist^(O) him.

³³ “Those who are wise will instruct^(P) many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.^{(Q) 34} When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere^(R) will join them. ³⁵ Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined,^(S) purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

The King Who Exalts Himself

³⁶ “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself^(T) above every god and will say unheard-of things^(U) against the God of gods.^(V) He will be successful until the time of wrath^(W) is completed, for what has been determined must take place.^{(X) 37} He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. ³⁸ Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. ³⁹ He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.^[a]

⁴⁰ “At the time of the end the king of the South^(Y) will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm^(Z) out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood.^{(AA) 41} He will also invade the Beautiful Land.^(AB) Many countries will fall, but Edom,^(AC) Moab^(AD) and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. ⁴² He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. ⁴³ He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt,^(AE) with the Libyans^(AF) and Cushites^[b] in submission. ⁴⁴ But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. ⁴⁵ He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at^[c] the beautiful holy mountain.^(AG) Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

The End Times

12 “At that time Michael,^(A) the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress^(B) such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book^(C)—will be delivered.^(D)

² I will gather all the nations^(A) to Jerusalem to fight against it;^(B) the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped.^(C) Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.^(D)

³ Then the Lord will go out and fight^(A) against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle.^(B)