Daniel 12
English Standard Version
The Time of the End
12 “At that time shall arise (A)Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And (B)there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, (C)everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who (D)sleep in (E)the dust of the earth shall (F)awake, (G)some to everlasting life, and (H)some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 (I)And those who are wise (J)shall shine like the brightness of the sky above;[a] and (K)those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, (L)shut up the words and (M)seal the book, until (N)the time of the end. (O)Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on (P)this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to (Q)the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,[b] (R)“How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” 7 And I heard (S)the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; (T)he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and (U)swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a (V)time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of (W)the power of (X)the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. 8 I heard, (Y)but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, (Z)“Go your way, Daniel, (AA)for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 (AB)Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but (AC)the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, (AD)but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that (AE)the regular burnt offering is taken away and (AF)the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 (AG)Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 (AH)But go your way till the end. (AI)And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at (AJ)the end of the days.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 12:3 Hebrew the expanse; compare Genesis 1:6–8
- Daniel 12:6 Or who was upstream; also verse 7
Daniel 12
The Message
The Worst Trouble the World Has Ever Seen
12 1-2 “‘That’s when Michael, the great angel-prince, champion of your people, will step in. It will be a time of trouble, the worst trouble the world has ever seen. But your people will be saved from the trouble, every last one found written in the Book. Many who have been long dead and buried will wake up, some to eternal life, others to eternal shame.
3 “‘Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever.
4 “‘This is a confidential report, Daniel, for your eyes and ears only. Keep it secret. Put the book under lock and key until the end. In the interim there is going to be a lot of frantic running around, trying to figure out what’s going on.’
* * *
5-6 “As I, Daniel, took all this in, two figures appeared, one standing on this bank of the river and one on the other bank. One of them asked a third man who was dressed in linen and who straddled the river, ‘How long is this astonishing story to go on?’
7 “The man dressed in linen, who straddled the river, raised both hands to the skies. I heard him solemnly swear by the Eternal One that it would be a time, two times, and half a time, that when the oppressor of the holy people was brought down the story would be complete.
8 “I heard all this plainly enough, but I didn’t understand it. So I asked, ‘Master, can you explain this to me?’
9-10 “‘Go on about your business, Daniel,’ he said. ‘The message is confidential and under lock and key until the end, until things are about to be wrapped up. The populace will be washed clean and made like new. But the wicked will just keep on being wicked, without a clue about what is happening. Those who live wisely and well will understand what’s going on.’
* * *
11 “From the time that the daily worship is banished from the Temple and the obscene desecration is set up in its place, there will be 1,290 days.
12 “Blessed are those who patiently make it through the 1,335 days.
13 “And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson