Daniel 12
New English Translation
12 “At that time Michael,
the great prince who watches over your people,[a]
will arise.[b]
There will be a time of distress
unlike any other from the nation’s beginning[c]
up to that time.
But at that time your own people,
all those whose names are[d] found written in the book,
will escape.
2 Many of those who sleep
in the dusty ground will awake—
some to everlasting life,
and others to shame and everlasting abhorrence.[e]
3 But the wise will shine
like the brightness of the heavenly expanse.
And those bringing many to righteousness
will be like the stars forever and ever.
4 “But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will dash about,[f] and knowledge will increase.”
5 I, Daniel, watched as two others stood there, one on each side of the river.[g] 6 One said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river, “When will the end of these wondrous events occur?” 7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen who was over the waters of the river as he raised both his right and left hands to the sky[h] and made an oath by the one who lives forever: “It is for a time, times, and half a time. Then, when the power of the one who shatters[i] the holy people has been exhausted, all these things will be finished.”
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, “Sir,[j] what will happen after these things?” 9 He said, “Go, Daniel. For these matters are closed and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made clean, and refined, but the wicked will go on being wicked. None of the wicked will understand, though the wise will understand. 11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is removed and the abomination that causes desolation is set in place,[k] there are 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits and attains to the 1,335 days. 13 But you should go your way[l] until the end.[m] You will rest and then at the end of the days you will arise to receive[n] what you have been allotted.”[o]
Footnotes
- Daniel 12:1 tn Heb “stands over the sons of your people.”
- Daniel 12:1 tn Heb “will stand up.”
- Daniel 12:1 tn Or “from the beginning of a nation.”
- Daniel 12:1 tn The words “whose names are” are added in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarification.
- Daniel 12:2 sn This verse is the only undisputed reference to a literal resurrection found in the Hebrew Bible.
- Daniel 12:4 tn Or “will run back and forth”; KJV “shall run to and fro”; NIV “will go here and there”; CEV “will go everywhere.”sn Many will dash about is probably an allusion to Amos 8:12.
- Daniel 12:5 tn Heb “one to this edge of the river and one to that edge of the river.”
- Daniel 12:7 tn Or “to the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
- Daniel 12:7 tc The present translation reads יַד־נֹפֵץ (yad nofets, “hand of one who shatters”) rather than the MT נַפֵּץ־יַד (nappets yad, “to shatter the hand”).
- Daniel 12:8 tn Heb “my lord,” a title of polite address.
- Daniel 12:11 tn Heb “to give.”
- Daniel 12:13 tn The words “your way” are not in the Hebrew text but are implied.
- Daniel 12:13 tc The LXX lacks “until the end.”
- Daniel 12:13 tn The word “receive” is added in the translation for clarification.
- Daniel 12:13 sn The deuterocanonical writings known as the Story of Susanna and Bel and the Dragon appear respectively as chapters 13 and 14 of the book of Daniel in the Greek version of this book. Although these writings are not part of the Hebrew/Aramaic text of Daniel, they were popular among certain early communities who valued traditions about the life of Daniel.
Daniel 12
Common English Bible
Eternal life or eternal disgrace
12 “At that time, Michael the great leader who guards your people will take his stand. It will be a difficult time—nothing like it has ever happened since nations first appeared. But at that time every one of your people who is found written in the scroll will be rescued. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dusty land[a] will wake up—some to eternal life, others to shame and eternal disgrace. 3 Those skilled in wisdom[b] will shine like the sky. Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and always. 4 But you, Daniel, must keep these words secret! Seal the scroll until the end time! Many will stray far, but knowledge will increase.”
Waiting for the end time
5 I, Daniel, looked and suddenly saw two other figures—one standing on each side of the stream. 6 One said to the man clothed in white linen, who was farther upstream: “When will these astonishing things be over?”
7 I heard the man clothed in white linen, who was farther upstream, swear by the one who lives forever as he raised both hands to heaven: “For one set time, two set times, and half a set time. When the breaking of the holy people’s power is over, all these things will be over.”
8 I heard it, but I didn’t understand it. “My lord,” I said, “what will happen after all this?”
9 He said, “Get going now, Daniel, because these words must remain secret and sealed up until the end time. 10 Many will purify, cleanse, and refine themselves, but the wicked will act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but those skilled in wisdom will understand. 11 There will be one thousand two hundred ninety days from the time the daily sacrifice is stopped to the setting up of the desolating monstrosity. 12 Happy is the one who waits and reaches one thousand three hundred thirty-five days. 13 Now as for you, go on to the end. You will rest and will stand to receive your reward at the end of days.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 12:2 Or earthy soil or dust of the earth
- Daniel 12:3 See 1:4; or The teachers; see 11:33, 35; also in 12:10.
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