11 »”Cuando Darío el Medo estaba en el primer año de su reinado, le brindé mi apoyo y mi ayuda.

Los reyes del norte y del sur

»”Pero ahora voy a darte a conocer la verdad. Van a levantarse en Persia tres reyes más y hasta un cuarto, el cual será más rico que los otros tres. En cuanto haya cobrado fuerza con sus riquezas, incitará a todos contra el reino griego. Surgirá entonces un rey muy aguerrido, el cual gobernará con gran autoridad y hará lo que mejor le parezca. Pero tan pronto como surja su imperio, se quebrará y se esparcirá hacia los cuatro vientos del cielo. Este imperio no será para sus descendientes, ni tendrá el poder que tuvo bajo su gobierno, porque Dios lo dividirá y se lo entregará a otros.

»”El rey del sur cobrará fuerza, pero uno de sus comandantes se hará más fuerte que él y gobernará su propio reino con gran poder. Después de algunos años se convertirán en aliados. La hija del rey del sur irá al rey del norte para hacer una alianza. Pero perderá su poder y su linaje no sobrevivirá. En esos días será traicionada, junto con su escolta real, su padre y quien la apoyó.

»”Pero se levantará uno de su familia en su lugar. Él atacará las fuerzas del rey del norte y entrará a su fortaleza; luchará contra ellos y saldrá victorioso. Se apoderará de las estatuas de metal de sus dioses, de sus objetos de oro y plata. Se los llevará a Egipto, dejando tranquilo al rey del norte durante algunos años. Luego el rey del norte invadirá los dominios del rey del sur, pero se verá forzado a volver a su país. 10 Sus hijos se prepararán para la guerra, reunirán un gran ejército que, como una inundación, avanzará arrasándolo todo hasta llegar a la fortaleza.

11 »”Enfurecido, el rey del sur marchará en contra del rey del norte, que será derrotado a pesar de contar con un gran ejército. 12 Ante el triunfo obtenido, el rey del sur se llenará de orgullo y matará a miles; pero su victoria no durará 13 porque el rey del norte reunirá a otro ejército más numeroso y mejor armado que el anterior y, después de algunos años, volverá a atacar al rey del sur.

14 »”En esos tiempos muchos se levantarán contra el rey del sur, incluso gente violenta de tu pueblo, pero no saldrán victoriosos. Así se cumplirá la visión. 15 Entonces el rey del norte vendrá y levantará rampas de asalto y conquistará la ciudad fortificada, pues las fuerzas del sur no podrán resistir; ni siquiera sus mejores tropas podrán ofrecer resistencia. 16 El ejército invasor hará lo que quiera hacer, pues nadie podrá hacerle frente; se establecerá en la Hermosa Tierra y tendrá el poder para destruirla. 17 Él se dispondrá a atacar con todo el poder de su reino, pero hará una alianza con el rey del sur: este le dará su hija en matrimonio, con miras a derrocar su reino, pero sus planes no tendrán el éxito esperado. 18 Dirigirá entonces sus ataques contra las ciudades costeras y conquistará muchas de ellas, pero un general pondrá fin a su insolencia y lo hará quedar en ridículo. 19 Después de eso, el rey del norte regresará a la fortaleza de su país, pero sufrirá un tropiezo y no volverá a saberse nada de él.

20 »”Su sucesor enviará un recaudador de impuestos para mantener el esplendor del reino. Pero poco tiempo después ese rey perderá la vida, aunque no en el fragor de la batalla.

21 »”Le sucederá una persona despreciable, al que no se le ha concedido el honor de la realeza, que invadirá el reino cuando la gente se sienta más segura y usurpará el trono por medio de intrigas. 22 Arrasará como una inundación a las fuerzas que se le opongan; las derrotará por completo, lo mismo que al príncipe del pacto. 23 Engañará a los que pacten con él y con un grupo reducido usurpará el trono. 24 Cuando las provincias más ricas se sientan más seguras, las invadirá, logrando así lo que jamás lograron sus padres y abuelos. Repartirá entre sus seguidores el botín y las riquezas que haya ganado en la guerra, y hará planes para atacar las ciudades fortificadas. Pero esto no durará mucho tiempo.

25 »”Con un gran ejército, descargará su poder y ardor sobre el rey del Sur. Este enfrentará la guerra con un ejército muy grande y poderoso, pero no podrá resistir, porque será traicionado. 26 Los mismos que compartían su mesa buscarán su ruina; su ejército será derrotado por completo y muchos caerán en batalla. 27 Sentados a la misma mesa, estos dos reyes pensarán solo en hacerse daño y se mentirán el uno al otro; pero esto de nada servirá, porque el momento del fin todavía no habrá llegado. 28 El rey del norte regresará a su país con grandes riquezas, pero su corazón se opondrá al pacto santo; así que llevará a cabo sus planes y luego volverá a su país.

29 »”En el momento preciso, el rey del norte volverá a invadir el sur, aunque esta vez el resultado será diferente, 30 porque los barcos de guerra de las costas occidentales se opondrán a él y se desanimará. Entonces retrocederá y descargará su enojo contra el pacto santo. En su retirada, se mostrará bondadoso con los que renegaron de él.

31 »”Sus soldados se dedicarán a profanar la fortaleza del Templo, suspenderán el sacrificio diario y luego establecerán la abominación que causa destrucción. 32 Corromperá con halagos a los que hayan renegado del pacto, pero los que conozcan a su Dios se le opondrán con firmeza.

33 »”Los sabios instruirán a muchos, aunque durante algún tiempo morirán a filo de espada, o serán quemados, o se les tomará cautivos y se les despojará de todo. 34 Cuando caigan, recibirán muy poca ayuda, aunque mucha gente hipócrita se les unirá. 35 Algunos de los sabios caerán, pero esa prueba los purificará y perfeccionará para que, cuando llegue el tiempo del fin, no tengan mancha alguna. Todavía falta para que llegue el momento preciso.

El rey se exalta a sí mismo

36 »”El rey hará lo que mejor le parezca. Se exaltará a sí mismo, se creerá superior a todos los dioses, y dirá cosas contra el Dios de dioses que nadie antes se atrevió a decir. Su éxito durará mientras la ira de Dios no llegue a su colmo, aunque lo que ha de suceder sucederá. 37 Ese rey no respetará a los dioses de sus antepasados, ni al dios que adoran las mujeres, ni a ningún otro dios, sino que se exaltará a sí mismo por encima de todos ellos. 38 En su lugar, adorará al dios de las fortalezas; honrará a un dios que sus antepasados no conocieron, y le presentará costosas ofrendas de oro, plata y piedras preciosas. 39 Con la ayuda de un dios extraño atacará las fortalezas más poderosas. Rendirá grandes honores a aquellos que lo reconozcan, pues en recompensa, los pondrá como gobernadores de grandes multitudes y les dará tierras.

40 »”Cuando llegue el tiempo del fin, el rey del sur trabará combate contra el rey del norte, pero este responderá a su ataque con carros y caballos, y con toda una flota de barcos de guerra. Invadirá muchos países y los arrasará como una inundación. 41 También invadirá la Hermosa Tierra, y muchos países caerán bajo su poder, aunque Edom y Moab y los jefes de Amón escaparán de sus manos. 42 Extenderá su poder sobre muchos países; ni Egipto podrá salvarse. 43 Se adueñará de los tesoros de oro y plata de Egipto, y de todas sus riquezas, y también someterá a los libios y a los cusitas.[a] 44 Sin embargo, le llegarán noticias alarmantes del este y del norte. En su furor se pondrá en marcha dispuesto a destruir y matar a mucha gente. 45 Plantará su campamento real entre los mares,[b] en el bello monte santo; pero allí llegará su fin y nadie acudirá en su ayuda.

Footnotes

  1. 11:43 Es decir, gente de la parte superior de la región del Nilo.
  2. 11:45 O entre el mar y.

11 Also I, in the shnat achat of Daryavesh the Mede, I stood to support and to strengthen him.

And now will I show thee the emes. Hinei, yet shloshah melachim will arise in Paras (Persia); and the fourth shall with osher gadol (great richness) be abundantly rich above all; and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Yavan (Greece).

And a melech gibbor shall arise, that shall rule with mimshal rav (great dominion), and do kirtzono (according to his will).

And when he shall arise, his malchut (kingdom) shall be broken, and shall be divided to the araba ruchot HaShomayim; and not to his posterity, nor according to his rule which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others apart from these [see Daniel 8:8].

And HaMelech HaNegev (the King of the South) shall be strong, and one of his sarim (princes), and he shall be strong above him, and will rule; a great rule is his rule.

And at the end of some shanim they shall join themselves together as allies; for the daughter of HaMelech HaNegev shall come unto the Melech HaTzafon (King of the North) to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the koach hazero’a; neither shall he stand, nor his zero’a, but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that fathered her, and he that strengthened her in those times.

But out of a netzer of her roots shall one stand up in his place, which shall come unto an army, and shall enter into the stronghold of HaMelech HaTzafon, and shall deal with them, and shall show strength;

And also their g-ds with their molten images and with their precious vessels of silver and gold he will bring into captivity to Mitzrayim; and he shall refrain some shanim from (attacking) HaMelech HaTzafon.

So he (HaMelech HaTzafon) shall come into his kingdom of HaMelech HaNegev and shall return into his own land.

10 But his banim shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces; and he shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through; then shall he return, and shall stir himself up, even to his fortress.

11 And HaMelech HaNegev shall be moved with rage, and shall go forth and fight with him, even with HaMelech HaTzafon; and he shall raise a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.

12 And the multitude shall be carried away; his lev shall be lifted up; and he shall cause thousands to fall, but will not be strong.

13 For HaMelech HaTzafon shall again raise a multitude, greater than the former, and at the end of some shanim he will certainly come with a great army and with great substance;

14 And in those times many shall stand up against HaMelech HaNegev; also the sons of the transgressors of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall stumble.

15 So HaMelech HaTzafon shall come, and shall cast up an entrenchment, and shall take a fortified city; and the forces of the South shall not stand, even their choicest troops, and there is no power to stand.

16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him; and he shall stand in Eretz HaTzevi (Beautiful Land), and destruction (shall be) in his hand.

17 He shall also set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and an agreement is with him; and he shall make it; and he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it, but she shall not stand, neither be for him.

18 After he turns his face unto the isles, and shall take many, a magistrate shall cause his reproach to cease for him except that his reproach shall return to him.

19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and will not be found.

20 Then shall stand up in his place one who causes an exactor to pass through for the glory of the malchut, but within a few yamim he shall be broken, neither in anger, nor in battle.

21 And in his place shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the glory of the malchut but he shall come in unawares, and obtain the kingdom by intrigues.

22 And an overwhelming army will be swept away before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the Nagid Brit.

23 And after the league made with him he shall practice deceit, for he shall go up, and shall become strong with a small people.

24 He shall enter unawares even into the fattest of the provinces; and he shall do that which his avot have not done, nor his avot of his avot; he shall scatter among them the spoil and booty and possessions, yea, and he shall plan his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.

25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the Melech HaNegev with a great army; and HaMelech HaNegev shall be stirred up for battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand; for they shall devise devices against him.

26 Yea, they that eat of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow, and many shall fall down slain.

27 And the hearts of both of these melachim shall be for evil, and they shall speak lies at one shulchan, but it shall not prosper; for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.

28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his lev shall be against the Brit Kodesh; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.

29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come again to the South; but it shall not be as at the first so at the last.

30 For the ships of Kittim shall come against him; therefore he shall be disheartened and shall return, and rage against the Brit Kodesh so shall he do; he shall even return, and will fix his attention upon those that forsake the Brit Kodesh.

31 And forces from him will stand, and they shall desecrate the Mikdash, the Citadel, and shall do away with HaTamid, and set up the Shikkutz MeShomem.

32 And such as do wickedly against the Brit shall he pervert in intrigue, but the people who know their G-d shall be strong and will do.

33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many; yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and through despoilment for many yamim.

34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help, but many shall cleave to them in intrigue.

35 And some of them of understanding shall fall to try them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end, because it is yet for a time appointed.

36 And HaMelech shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every g-d, and shall speak monstous things against the G-d of g-ds, and shall prosper till the wrath be accomplished; for that is determined shall be done.

37 Neither shall he regard the g-d of his avot, nor the desire of women, nor regard any g-d, for he shall magnify himself above all.

38 But in his place shall he honor the g-d of fortresses, and a g-d whom his avot knew not shall he honor with zahav, and kesef, and with precious stones, and things desired.

39 Thus shall he do to the fortresses of the strongholds with the help of a foreign g-d, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall distribute the land for a price.

40 And at the time of the end shall HaMelech HaNegev butt against him, and HaMelech HaTzafon shall storm against him with chariots, and with parash, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries and shall overflow and pass over.

41 He shall enter also into the Eretz HaTzevi, and many will stumble, but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moav, and the chief of the bnei Ammon.

42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries, and Eretz Mitzrayim shall not escape.

43 But he shall rule over the deposits of zahav and of kesef, and over all the desired things of Mitzrayim; and the Libyans and the Cushites shall be at his heels.

44 But reports out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go forth with cheimah gedolah (great fury) to destroy, and to annihilate many.

45 And he shall plant the tents of his pavilion between the sea and the Har Tzevi Kodesh (Beautiful Holy Mountain); yet he shall come to his end, and there is none to help him.

11 “In the first year that Darius the Mede was king [C 539 bc; 5:31], I [C the unnamed angel speaking to Daniel; 10:5] stood up to support and strengthen him [C Michael, in his fight against the prince of Persia].

Kingdoms of the South and North

“Now then, Daniel, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will ·rule [L arise] in Persia, and then a fourth king will come. He will be much richer than all ·the kings of Persia before him [L of them] and will use his riches to get power [C perhaps Darius III, the last king of Persia]. He will stir up everyone against the kingdom of ·Greece [L Javan]. Then a ·mighty [or warrior] king will ·come [L arise], who will rule with great power and will do anything he wants [C Alexander the Great, who defeats Persia]. After that king ·has come [L arises], his kingdom will be broken up and divided out toward the four ·parts of the world [L winds of heaven]. His kingdom will not go to his ·descendants [posterity], and ·it will not have the power that he had [L not according to the dominion of his dominion], because his kingdom will be pulled up and given to other people [C Alexander’s kingdom was divided among his four most powerful generals, the Diadochoi].

“The king of the South [C Ptolemy I; the South is the Ptolemaic kingdom with its chief city in Alexandria, Egypt] will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger [C Seleucus, the founding king of the Seleucid kingdom with its chief city in Antioch, Syria]. He will begin to rule his own kingdom with great power. Then ·after a few [L at the end of] years, ·a new friendship will develop [they will enter an alliance]. The daughter of the king of the South will ·marry [L come to] the king of the North ·in order to bring peace [L to establish an agreement; C a marriage alliance between Berenice, daughter of the Ptolemaic king, and Antiochus II Theos of the Seleucid kingdom]. But she will not ·keep [retain] her power, and his ·family [L seed; or power] will not last. She, her husband, her child, and those who ·brought her to that country [supported her] will be ·killed [L given up; C they were poisoned in a political intrigue].

“But a ·person from her family [L branch of her roots] will ·become king of the South [L arise in his place] and will ·attack [L come against] the armies of the king of the North [C Ptolemy III waged war against Seleucus II]. He will go into that king’s ·strong, walled city [fortress] and will ·fight [act] and win. He will take their gods, their metal idols, and their ·valuable [L favored; coveted; desired] things made of silver and gold back to Egypt as plunder. Then he will not bother the king of the North for a few years. Next, ·the king of the North [L he] will ·attack [L come against] the king of the South, but he will ·be beaten back [return] to his own ·country [land; C the battles between the Seleucids and the Ptolemies would continue].

10 “His [C the king of the North] sons [C Seleucus III and Antiochus III the Great] will prepare for war. They will get a large ·army [multitude; horde] together that will move through the land, like a flood [C powerfully and quickly]. Later, that army will come back and fight all the way to the ·strong, walled city [fortress; C of the king of the South, Ptolemy IV; the fortress may refer to Gaza]. 11 Then the king of the South will become very angry and will march out to fight against the king of the North [C the battle of Raphia between Ptolemy IV and Antiochus III in 217 bc]. The king of the North will ·have [raise] a large ·army [multitude; horde], but he will ·lose the battle [L be delivered into his hand], 12 and the ·soldiers [multitude; horde] will be carried away. ·The king of the South will then be very proud [L His heart will be lifted up] and will ·kill [L fell] ·thousands of soldiers [L myriads; tens of thousands] from the northern army, but he will not ·continue to be successful [prevail; be victorious]. 13 The king of the North will gather another ·army [multitude; horde], larger than the first one. After ·several [a period of] years he will attack with a large ·army [force] and many ·weapons [or supplies].

14 “In those times many people will ·be [L rise up] against the king of the South. ·Some of your own people who love to fight [Wild/Violent men; L Sons who make breaches among your people; C Jewish men] will ·turn [L lift themselves up] against the king of the South, ·thinking it is time for God’s promises to come true [L to fulfill the vision]. But they will ·fail [stumble; falter]. 15 Then the king of the North will come. He will ·build [throw up] ·ramps to the tops of the city walls [siege engines] and will capture a ·strong, walled [fortified] city. The southern ·army [forces] will not ·have the power to fight back [endure; last]; even their best soldiers will not be strong enough to ·stop the northern army [endure; last]. 16 So the ·king of the North [L one who invades him] will do whatever he ·wants [pleases]; no one will be able to ·stand [endure; last] against him. He will gain power and control in the beautiful land [C of Judah; 8:9] and ·will have the power to destroy it [L all of it will be in his hand/power]. 17 The king of the North will ·decide [L set his face] to ·use [bring] all his power to fight against the king of the South, but he will make a peace agreement with the king of the South. The king of the North will give one of his daughters as a wife to the king of the South so that he can ·defeat [destroy] him [C Cleopatra was given to Ptolemy V in marriage to serve as a spy]. But those plans will not ·succeed [stand; endure; last] or help him [C Cleopatra changed loyalties]. 18 Then the king of the North will turn his attention to the coastlines [C cities along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea; Antiochus was able to take some cities in Asia Minor] and will capture ·them [L many]. But a commander [C the Roman consul Lucius Cornelius Scipio commanded him to cease warfare] will put an end to ·the pride of the king of the North [L his scorn], turning his ·pride [scorn] back on him. 19 After that happens the king of the North will go back to the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities of his own country, but he will ·lose his power [L stumble and fall]. ·That will be the end of him [L …and not be found; C Antiochus III died in 187 bc].

20 “·The next king of the North will send out a tax collector so he will have plenty of money [L Then one will arise in his place who will send out a tax collector/despot/oppressor for/or to enhance the splendor of the kingdom]. In ·a few years [L later/after days] that ruler will be ·killed [L broken], ·although he will not die in [L not by] anger or in a battle [C Seleucus IV died in mysterious circumstances, perhaps killed by his brother Antiochus IV also known as Epiphanes].

21 “·That ruler will be followed by [L Then one will arise in his place who is] ·a very cruel and hated man [L despised], who had not yet been given the honor of royalty [C Antiochus Epiphanes, who will be the focus of much of the rest of the chapter]. He will attack ·the kingdom when the people feel safe [without warning], and he will take power by ·lying to the people [intrigue]. 22 He will sweep away in defeat ·large and powerful [L floodlike] ·armies [forces] and even a prince who made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty]. 23 Many nations will make ·agreements [alliances] with ·that cruel and hated ruler [L him], but he will lie to them. He will gain much power, but only a few people will support him. 24 The richest ·areas [or people of a province] will feel safe, but ·that cruel and hated ruler [L he] will attack them. He will succeed where his ·ancestors [L fathers and father’s fathers] did not. He will ·rob the countries he defeats and will give those things to his followers [L scatter spoil, plunder, and goods to them]. He will plan ·to defeat and destroy strong cities [L against strongholds], ·but he will be successful for only a short time [L until a time].

25 “·That very cruel and hated ruler [L He] will have a large army that he will use to stir up his strength and ·courage [L heart]. He will attack the king of the South [C the Seleucid king Ptolemy VI]. The king of the South will gather a large and very powerful army and prepare for war. But ·the people who are against him will make secret plans, and the king of the South will be defeated [L he will not stand/endure because of the plans they planned against him]. 26 People who ·were supposed to be his good friends [L eat his royal rations; C Ptolemy VI’s advisors Eulaeus and Lenaeus] will try to ·destroy [L break] him. His army will be swept away in defeat; many ·of his soldiers will be killed in battle [L corpses will fall]. 27 Those two kings will ·want to hurt each other [L have their hearts/minds toward evil/harm]. They will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but it will not ·do either one any good [succeed], because ·God has set a time for their end to come [the appointed time of the end has been set]. 28 ·The king of the North [L He; C Antiochus] will go back to his own country with much wealth. Then he will decide to go against the holy ·agreement [covenant; treaty; C as Antiochus returned to Syria from Egypt, he took aggressive action against the Jews in Jerusalem]. He will take action and then return to his own country.

29 “At the ·right [appointed] time ·the king of the North [L he] will attack the king of the South again, but this time ·he will not be successful as he was before [L it will not be as before]. 30 Ships from ·the west [L Kittim; C Rome, which made Antiochus stand down from his attack on the South] will come and fight against ·the king of the North [L him], so he will be ·afraid [startled; or dismayed]. Then he will return and show his anger against the holy ·agreement [covenant; treaty]. He will be good to those who have ·stopped obeying [L abandoned; forsaken] the holy ·agreement [covenant; treaty; C the pro-Antiochus party among the Jewish people].

31 “·The king of the North will send his army [L Forces from him will arise] to ·make the Temple in Jerusalem unclean [L profane the Holy Place and fortress]. They will ·stop the people from offering [L turn aside] the ·daily [regular] sacrifice [8:12], and then they will set up a ·blasphemous object that brings destruction [L abomination of desolation; C a pagan object, perhaps a meteorite dedicated to Zeus, would be placed in the holy place; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14; also 1 Maccabees 1:44–47, 54 in the Apocrypha]. 32 ·The king of the North [L He] will tell lies and cause those who have ·not obeyed God [L transgressed the agreement/covenant/treaty] to ·be ruined [L become godless]. But those who know God and obey him will be strong and fight back.

33 “Those who are ·wise [L insightful among the people] will help ·the others [L many] understand what is happening. But they will ·be killed [L stumble] with swords, or ·burned [L with flame], or ·taken captive [L by exile], or ·robbed of their homes and possessions [L by spoil]. These things will continue for many days. 34 When ·the wise ones are suffering [L they stumble], they will get a little help, but many who join ·the wise ones [L them] will ·not help them in their time of need [L be insincere]. 35 Some of the ·wise [L insightful] ones will ·be killed [L stumble]. ·But the hard times must come so they can be made stronger and purer and without faults [L …in order to refine, to purify, and to cleanse them] until the time of the end comes. Then, at the right time, the end will come.

The King Who Praises Himself

36 “·The king of the North [L The king] will do whatever he ·wants [pleases; desires]. He will ·brag about [exalt] himself and praise himself and think he is even better than a god. He will say ·things [fantastic/horrendous things] against the God of gods that no one has ever heard. And he will be successful until ·all the bad things have happened [L rage is completed]. Then what ·God has planned to happen [L is determined] will happen. 37 ·The king of the North [L He] will ·not care about [pay no attention to] the gods ·his ancestors worshiped [L of his ancestors/fathers; C he replaced the worship of Apollos with that of Zeus] or the god ·that women worship [L desired/coveted/favored by women; C perhaps Adonis or Dionysius]. He won’t ·care about [pay attention to] any god. Instead, he will ·make himself more important than any god [L exalt himself above all]. 38 ·The king of the North [L He] will ·worship [glorify] ·power and strength [L a god of fortresses in his place], ·which his ancestors did not worship [L a god his ancestors/fathers did not know]. He will ·honor [glorify] the god of power with gold and silver, ·expensive jewels [precious stones] and ·gifts [L desired/coveted/favored things]. 39 That king will attack ·strong, walled cities [fortresses] with the help of a foreign god. He will give much ·honor [glory; or wealth] to the people who ·join [acknowledge; recognize] him, making them rulers in charge of many other people. And he will ·make them pay him for the land they rule [L distribute the land for a price].

40 “At the time of the end, the king of the South will ·fight a battle [L butt] against ·the king of the North [L him]. The king of the North will ·attack [L rush in on him] with chariots, soldiers on horses, and many large ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through their lands like a flood. 41 The king of the North will attack the beautiful land [C Judah; 8:9]. He will ·defeat many countries [L cause many to stumble], but Edom, Moab, and the ·leaders [L heads; or main part] of Ammon will be saved from ·him [L his hand]. 42 ·The king of the North [L He] will ·show his power in [L send his hand against] many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 ·The king [L He] will ·get [L rule over the] treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt. The Libyan and ·Nubian [or Ethiopian; L Cushite] people will ·obey him [L follow in his tracks]. 44 But the king of the North will hear ·news [reports] from the east and the north that will make him ·afraid [terrified] and angry. He will go to [L devastate and] destroy completely many. 45 He will ·set up [pitch] his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain [C Zion, the location of the Temple]. But, finally, his end will come, and no one will help him.

11 And in the first year of Darius(A) the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)

The Kings of the South and the North

“Now then, I tell you the truth:(B) Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.(C) Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.(D) After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven.(E) It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted(F) and given to others.

“The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power. After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power[a] will not last. In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father[b] and the one who supported her.

“One from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North(G) and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. He will also seize their gods,(H) their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt.(I) For some years he will leave the king of the North alone. Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country. 10 His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood(J) and carry the battle as far as his fortress.

11 “Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated.(K) 12 When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant. 13 For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.

14 “In those times many will rise against the king of the South. Those who are violent among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success. 15 Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps(L) and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand. 16 The invader will do as he pleases;(M) no one will be able to stand against him.(N) He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it.(O) 17 He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans[c] will not succeed(P) or help him. 18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands(Q) and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back on him.(R) 19 After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall,(S) to be seen no more.(T)

20 “His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor.(U) In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.

21 “He will be succeeded by a contemptible(V) person who has not been given the honor of royalty.(W) 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(X) before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.(Y) 23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully,(Z) 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.(AA) 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,(AB) will sit at the same table and lie(AC) to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.(AD) 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(AE) will oppose him, and he will lose heart.(AF) Then he will turn back and vent his fury(AG) 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.(AH) Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.(AI) 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist(AJ) him.

33 “Those who are wise will instruct(AK) many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.(AL) 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere(AM) will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined,(AN) 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(AO) above every god and will say unheard-of things(AP) against the God of gods.(AQ) He will be successful until the time of wrath(AR) is completed, for what has been determined must take place.(AS) 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.[d]

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South(AT) will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm(AU) 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.(AV) 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land.(AW) Many countries will fall, but Edom,(AX) Moab(AY) 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,(AZ) with the Libyans(BA) and Cushites[e] 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[f] the beautiful holy mountain.(BB) Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 11:6 Or offspring
  2. Daniel 11:6 Or child (see Vulgate and Syriac)
  3. Daniel 11:17 Or but she
  4. Daniel 11:39 Or land for a reward
  5. Daniel 11:43 That is, people from the upper Nile region
  6. Daniel 11:45 Or the sea and