Daniel 11:20-39
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
20 “Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an official for the glory of the kingdom, but within a few days he shall be broken, though not in anger or in battle.[a](A) 21 In his place shall arise a contemptible person on whom royal majesty had not been conferred; he shall come in suddenly and seize the kingdom through intrigue.(B) 22 Armies shall be utterly swept away and broken before him, and the prince of the covenant as well.(C) 23 And after an alliance is made with him, he shall act deceitfully and become strong with a small party.(D) 24 Suddenly he shall come into the richest parts[b] of the province and do what none of his predecessors had ever done, lavishing plunder, spoil, and wealth on them. He shall devise plans against strongholds but only for a time.(E) 25 He shall stir up his power and determination against the king of the south with a great army, and the king of the south shall wage war with a much greater and stronger army. But he shall not succeed, for plots shall be devised against him. 26 Those who eat of the royal rations shall break him, his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall slain.(F) 27 The two kings, their minds bent on evil, shall sit at one table and exchange lies. But it shall not succeed, for there remains an end at the time appointed.(G) 28 He shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. He shall work his will and return to his own land.
29 “At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but this time it shall not be as it was before. 30 For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall lose heart and withdraw. He shall be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and come to an understanding with those who forsake the holy covenant.(H) 31 Forces sent by him shall occupy and profane the temple and fortress. They shall abolish the regular burnt offering and set up the desolating sacrilege.(I) 32 He will flatter with smooth words those who violate the covenant, but the people who are loyal to their God shall stand firm and take action.(J) 33 The wise among the people shall give understanding to many; for some days, however, they shall fall by sword and flame and suffer captivity and plunder.(K) 34 When they fall, they shall receive a little help, and many shall join them insincerely.(L) 35 Some of the wise shall fall, so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed,[c] until the time of the end, for there is still an interval until the time appointed.(M)
36 “The king shall act as he pleases. He shall exalt himself and consider himself greater than any god and shall speak horrendous things against the God of gods. He shall prosper until the period of wrath is completed, for what is determined shall be done.(N) 37 He shall pay no respect to the gods of his ancestors or to the one beloved by women; he shall pay no respect to any other god, for he shall consider himself greater than all. 38 He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these; a god whom his ancestors did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall make more wealthy and shall appoint them as rulers over many and shall distribute the land for a price.
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Daniel 11:20-39
Holman Christian Standard Bible
20 “In his place one will arise who will send out a tax collector(A) for the glory of the kingdom; but within a few days he will be shattered, though not in anger[a] or in battle.
21 “In his place a despised(B) person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come during a time of peace[b](C) and seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22 A flood of forces will be swept away before him; they will be shattered, as well as the covenant prince. 23 After an alliance is made with him, he will act deceitfully. He will rise to power with a small nation.[c] 24 During a time of peace,[d] he will come into the richest parts of the province(D) and do what his fathers and predecessors never did. He will lavish plunder, loot, and wealth on his followers, and he will make plans against fortified cities, but only for a time.
25 “With a large army he will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will prepare for battle with an extremely large and powerful army, but he will not succeed, because plots will be made against him. 26 Those who eat his provisions(E) will destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall slain. 27 The two kings, whose hearts are bent on evil, will speak lies(F) at the same table but to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time.(G) 28 The king of the North will return to his land with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant;[e] he will take action, then return to his own land.
29 “At the appointed time he will come again to the South, but this time[f] will not be like the first. 30 Ships of Kittim[g](H) will come against him, and being intimidated, he will withdraw. Then he will rage against the holy covenant and take action. On his return, he will favor those who abandon the holy covenant. 31 His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice(I) and set up the abomination of desolation.(J) 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action.(K) 33 Those who are wise among the people(L) will give understanding to many, yet they will die by sword and flame,(M) and be captured and plundered for a time. 34 When defeated, they will be helped by some, but many others will join them insincerely.(N) 35 Some of the wise will fall so that they may be refined,(O) purified, and cleansed(P) until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
36 “Then the king will do whatever he wants.(Q) He will exalt and magnify himself above every god,(R) and he will say outrageous things against the God of gods.(S) He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed,(T) because what has been decreed will be accomplished. 37 He will not show regard for the gods[h] of his fathers, the god longed for by women, or for any other god,(U) because he will magnify himself above all. 38 Instead, he will honor a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not know—with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches. 39 He will deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. He will greatly honor those who acknowledge him,[i] making them rulers over many and distributing land as a reward.
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- Daniel 11:20 Or not openly
- Daniel 11:21 Or come without warning
- Daniel 11:23 Or a few people
- Daniel 11:24 Or Without warning
- Daniel 11:28 Or the Jewish people and religion
- Daniel 11:29 Lit but the last
- Daniel 11:30 = the Romans
- Daniel 11:37 Or God
- Daniel 11:39 Or those he acknowledges
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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