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
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 12
1 “At that time there shall arise
Michael, the great prince,
the guardian of your people.
Then there will be a period
that will be unsurpassed in distress
since nations first came into existence.
At that time your own people will be spared,
everyone whose names are found written in the book.
2 “Many of those shall awake
who sleep in the dust of the earth.
Some shall gain everlasting life;
others will earn shame and everlasting disgrace.
3 However, the wise will shine
like the brightness of the heavens,
and those who lead many to righteousness
will be as bright as the stars forever and ever.
4 As for you, Daniel,
keep these words secret,
and seal the book until the time of the end.
Many shall fall away,
and evils shall increase.”
Daniel’s Final Revelation.[a] 5 I, Daniel, then looked and saw two others standing, one on the bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was upstream, “How long shall it be until these incredible events take place?”
7 The man robed in linen who was upstream raised both his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, “It will be for a year, for two years, and half a year, and then all these things will cease when the power of the destroyer of the holy people will come to an end.”
8 I heard what was said but I did not understand, so I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of all these things?” 9 He replied, “Go on your way, Daniel, for these words are to be kept secret and remain sealed until the end time.
10 “Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will persist in their evil ways. 11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the appalling abomination is set up, one thousand two hundred and ninety days will elapse.
12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres and attains one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 But you, go on your way and rest. Then you will rise for your reward at the end of the ages.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 12:5 The author predicts that the trial will last three and a half years. This approximate time corresponds to the half week of the great prophecy (Dan 9:27); it will subsequently become the symbolic duration of all persecution. The image of the sealed book hints that they will not be understood until the events are fulfilled. In the Book of Revelation (Rev 6) the seals are opened by the Lamb, that is, the risen Jesus, in whom history gets its meaning. Destined to comfort martyrs, the final numbers (vv. 11-12) are possibly witnesses of a hope that is disappointed several times before it is finally fulfilled: the recompense is near.
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