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
International Standard Version
The End Times
12 “‘At that time, Michael[a] will arise, the great prince who will stand up on behalf of your people, and a time of trouble will come like there has never been since nations began until that time. Also at that time, your people will be delivered—everyone who will have been written in the book. 2 Many of those who are sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken—some to life everlasting, and some to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who manifest wisdom will shine like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine[b] like the stars for ever and ever. 4 Now as for you, Daniel, roll up your scroll and seal your words until the time of the end. Many will rush around, while knowledge increases.’”
The Vision of the Two Speakers
5 “Then while I, Daniel, continued watching, suddenly two others stood there, one on this side of the river bank and one on the other side. 6 One asked the man dressed in linen clothes, who was standing[c] above the waters of the river, ‘How long until the fulfillment of the wonders?’
7 “I heard the man dressed in linen clothes, who was standing[d] above the waters of the river as he lifted his right and left hands to heaven and swore by the one who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and a half. When the shattering of the power of the holy people has occurred, all these things will conclude.”
Daniel’s Unanswered Question
8 “I heard, but I didn’t understand. So I asked, ‘Sir,[e] what happens next?’
9 “He answered, ‘Go on your way, Daniel, because these matters[f] are wrapped up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, though the wicked will continue to act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand. Nevertheless, the insightful[g] will understand. 11 There will be[h] 1,290 days from the time the regular burnt offering[i] is rescinded and the destructive desolation established. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres and attains to the 1,335 days. 13 Now as for you, keep on going until the end—you’ll rest and then rise to receive your reward at the end of the age.’”[j]
Footnotes
- Daniel 12:1 Or time, the One who is like God; i.e. the Messiah
- Daniel 12:3 The Heb. lacks will shine
- Daniel 12:6 The Heb. lacks standing
- Daniel 12:7 The Heb. lacks standing
- Daniel 12:8 Lit. My lord
- Daniel 12:9 Or words
- Daniel 12:10 Or wise
- Daniel 12:11 The Heb. lacks There will be
- Daniel 12:11 Or sacrifice
- Daniel 12:13 Lit. days
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