20 And whiles I was speaking, and 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;

21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

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The Seventy “Sevens”

20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing(A) my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill(B) 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel,(C) the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.(D) 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.(E) 23 As soon as you began to pray,(F) a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.(G) Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:(H)

24 “Seventy ‘sevens’[a] are decreed for your people and your holy city(I) to finish[b] transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone(J) for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness,(K) to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 9:24 Or ‘weeks’; also in verses 25 and 26
  2. Daniel 9:24 Or restrain
  3. Daniel 9:24 Or the most holy One