In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts

In the first year of Belshazzar(A) king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions(B) passed through his mind(C) as he was lying in bed.(D) He wrote(E) down the substance of his dream.

Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven(F) churning up the great sea. Four great beasts,(G) each different from the others, came up out of the sea.

“The first was like a lion,(H) and it had the wings of an eagle.(I) I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it.

“And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’(J)

“After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard.(K) And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

“After that, in my vision(L) at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron(M) teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled(N) underfoot whatever was left.(O) It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.(P)

“While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little(Q) one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being(R) and a mouth that spoke boastfully.(S)

“As I looked,

“thrones were set in place,
    and the Ancient of Days(T) took his seat.(U)
His clothing was as white as snow;(V)
    the hair of his head was white like wool.(W)
His throne was flaming with fire,
    and its wheels(X) were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire(Y) was flowing,
    coming out from before him.(Z)
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
    ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
    and the books(AA) were opened.

11 “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking.(AB) I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.(AC) 12 (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a](AD) coming(AE) with the clouds of heaven.(AF) He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority,(AG) glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him.(AH) His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom(AI) is one that will never be destroyed.(AJ)

The Interpretation of the Dream

15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.(AK) 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this.

“So he told me and gave me the interpretation(AL) of these things: 17 ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy people(AM) of the Most High will receive the kingdom(AN) and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’(AO)

19 “Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns(AP) on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.(AQ) 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,(AR) 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.(AS)

23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.(AT) 24 The ten horns(AU) are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High(AV) and oppress his holy people(AW) and try to change the set times(AX) and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.[b](AY)

26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed(AZ) forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms(BA) under heaven will be handed over to the holy people(BB) of the Most High.(BC) His kingdom will be an everlasting(BD) kingdom, and all rulers will worship(BE) and obey him.’

28 “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled(BF) by my thoughts,(BG) and my face turned pale,(BH) but I kept the matter to myself.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:13 The Aramaic phrase bar enash means human being. The phrase son of man is retained here because of its use in the New Testament as a title of Jesus, probably based largely on this verse.
  2. Daniel 7:25 Or for a year, two years and half a year

Visión de las cuatro bestias

En el año primero del rey Belsasar de Babilonia, Daniel tuvo un sueño y visiones(A) en su mente[a], estando en su cama. Entonces escribió el sueño y relató el resumen[b] de él[c](B). Habló Daniel, y dijo: Miraba yo en mi visión nocturna(C), y he aquí, los cuatro vientos del cielo agitaban el gran mar(D); y cuatro bestias enormes, diferentes unas de otras, subían del mar(E). La primera era como un león(F) y tenía alas de águila. Mientras yo miraba, sus alas le fueron arrancadas, fue levantada del suelo y puesta sobre dos pies, como un hombre, y le fue dado corazón de hombre. Y he aquí, otra segunda bestia, semejante a un oso, estaba levantada de un costado, y en su boca, entre sus dientes, tenía tres costillas; y le dijeron así: «Levántate, y devora mucha carne». Después de esto seguí mirando, y he aquí, otra más, semejante a un leopardo que tenía sobre su dorso[d] cuatro alas de ave; la bestia tenía cuatro cabezas, y le fue dado dominio(G). Después de esto seguí mirando en las visiones nocturnas, y he aquí, una cuarta bestia, terrible, espantosa y en gran manera fuerte que tenía enormes dientes de hierro; devoraba, desmenuzaba y hollaba los restos con sus pies. Era diferente de todas las bestias que le antecedieron y tenía diez cuernos(H). Mientras yo contemplaba los cuernos, he aquí, otro cuerno, uno pequeño, surgió entre ellos(I), y tres de los primeros cuernos fueron arrancados delante de él; y he aquí, este cuerno tenía ojos[e] como los ojos de un hombre, y una boca que hablaba con mucha arrogancia[f](J).

Seguí mirando
hasta que se establecieron tronos(K),
y el Anciano de Días se sentó.
Su vestidura era blanca como la nieve(L),
y el cabello de su cabeza como lana pura,
su trono, llamas de fuego(M),
y sus ruedas, fuego abrasador(N).
10 Un río de fuego corría,
saliendo de delante de Él(O).
Miles de millares le servían,
y miríadas de miríadas estaban en pie delante de Él(P).
El tribunal se sentó(Q),
y se abrieron los libros(R).

11 Entonces yo seguí mirando a causa del ruido de las palabras arrogantes[g] que el cuerno decía; seguí mirando hasta que mataron a la bestia, destrozaron su cuerpo y lo echaron a las llamas del fuego(S). 12 A las demás bestias, se les quitó el dominio, pero les fue concedida una prolongación de la vida por un tiempo determinado.

13 Seguí mirando en las visiones nocturnas,
y he aquí, con las nubes del cielo
venía uno como un Hijo de Hombre(T),
que se dirigió al Anciano de Días
y fue presentado ante Él.
14 Y le fue dado dominio,
gloria y reino[h](U),
para que todos los pueblos, naciones y lenguas
le sirvieran(V).
Su dominio es un dominio eterno(W)
que nunca pasará(X),
y su reino uno
que no será destruido(Y).

15 A mí, Daniel, se me angustió por dentro[i] el espíritu, y las visiones de mi mente[j](Z) seguían turbándome(AA). 16 Me acerqué a uno de los que estaban allí de pie y le pedí que me dijera la verdad acerca de todo esto. Y me respondió, dándome a conocer(AB) la interpretación de estas cosas(AC): 17 «Estas bestias enormes, que son cuatro, son cuatro reyes que se levantarán de la tierra. 18 Pero los santos del Altísimo recibirán el reino y poseerán el reino para siempre, por los siglos de los siglos(AD)». 19 Entonces quise saber la verdad acerca de la cuarta bestia, que era diferente de todas las demás[k], y en gran manera terrible, con sus dientes de hierro y sus garras de bronce, y que devoraba, desmenuzaba y hollaba los restos con sus pies(AE), 20 y la verdad acerca de los diez cuernos que tenía en su cabeza, y del otro cuerno que había surgido, delante del cual cayeron tres de ellos, es decir, el cuerno que tenía ojos y una boca que hablaba con mucha arrogancia[l], y cuya apariencia era mayor que la de sus compañeros. 21 Mientras yo miraba, este cuerno hacía guerra contra los santos y prevalecía sobre ellos(AF), 22 hasta que vino el Anciano de Días y se hizo[m] justicia a favor de los santos del Altísimo, y llegó el tiempo cuando los santos tomaron posesión del reino(AG).

23 Dijo así: «La cuarta bestia será un cuarto reino en la tierra, que será diferente de todos los otros reinos; devorará toda la tierra, la hollará y la desmenuzará. 24 Y los diez cuernos de este reino son diez reyes que se levantarán(AH), y otro se levantará después de ellos; él será diferente de los anteriores y subyugará a tres reyes. 25 Y él proferirá palabras contra el Altísimo(AI) y afligirá a los santos del Altísimo(AJ), e intentará cambiar los tiempos y la ley; y le serán entregados en sus manos por un tiempo[n], por tiempos[o] y por medio tiempo[p](AK). 26 Pero el tribunal se sentará para juzgar(AL), y su dominio le será quitado, aniquilado y destruido para siempre[q]. 27 Y la soberanía[r], el dominio y la grandeza de todos los reinos debajo de todo el cielo serán entregados al pueblo de los santos del Altísimo. Su reino será un reino eterno(AM), y todos los dominios le servirán(AN) y le obedecerán(AO)». 28 Hasta aquí la revelación[s]. En cuanto a mí, Daniel, mis pensamientos me turbaron en gran manera y mi rostro palideció[t](AP), pero guardé el asunto en mi corazón(AQ).

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:1 Lit., de su cabeza
  2. Daniel 7:1 O, el principio
  3. Daniel 7:1 Lit., las palabras
  4. Daniel 7:6 O, costado
  5. Daniel 7:8 Lit., en este cuerno había ojos
  6. Daniel 7:8 Lit., hablaba grandes cosas
  7. Daniel 7:11 Lit., grandes
  8. Daniel 7:14 O, soberanía
  9. Daniel 7:15 Lit., en medio de su envoltura; i.e., del cuerpo
  10. Daniel 7:15 Lit., cabeza
  11. Daniel 7:19 Lit., todas ellas
  12. Daniel 7:20 Lit., grandes cosas
  13. Daniel 7:22 Lit., se dio
  14. Daniel 7:25 I.e., año(s)
  15. Daniel 7:25 I.e., año(s)
  16. Daniel 7:25 I.e., año(s)
  17. Daniel 7:26 Lit., para aniquilar y destruir hasta el fin
  18. Daniel 7:27 O, el reino
  19. Daniel 7:28 Lit., el fin de la palabra
  20. Daniel 7:28 Lit., mi brillantez cambió sobre mí

Im ersten Jahr Belsazers, des Königs zu Babel, hatte Daniel einen Traum und Gesichte auf seinem Bett; und er schrieb den Traum auf und verfaßte ihn also:

Ich, Daniel, sah ein Gesicht in der Nacht, und siehe, die vier Winde unter dem Himmel stürmten widereinander auf dem großen Meer.

Und vier große Tiere stiegen heraus aus dem Meer, ein jedes anders denn das andere.

Das erste wie ein Löwe und hatte Flügel wie ein Adler. Ich sah zu, bis daß ihm die Flügel ausgerauft wurden; und es ward von der Erde aufgehoben, und es stand auf zwei Füßen wie ein Mensch, und ihm ward ein menschlich Herz gegeben.

Und siehe, das andere Tier hernach war gleich einem Bären und stand auf der einen Seite und hatte in seinem Maul unter seinen Zähnen drei große, lange Zähne. Und man sprach zu ihm: Stehe auf und friß viel Fleisch!

Nach diesem sah ich, und siehe, ein anderes Tier, gleich einem Parder, das hatte vier Flügel wie ein Vogel auf seinem Rücken, und das Tier hatte vier Köpfe; und ihm ward Gewalt gegeben.

Nach diesem sah ich in diesem Gesicht in der Nacht, und siehe, das vierte Tier war greulich und schrecklich und sehr stark und hatte große eiserne Zähne, fraß um sich und zermalmte, und das übrige zertrat's mit seinen Füßen; es war auch viel anders denn die vorigen und hatte zehn Hörner.

Da ich aber die Hörner schaute, siehe, da brach hervor zwischen ihnen ein anderes kleines Horn, vor welchen der vorigen Hörner drei ausgerissen wurden; und siehe, dasselbe Horn hatte Augen wie Menschenaugen und ein Maul, das redete große Dinge.

Solches sah ich, bis daß Stühle gesetzt wurden; und der Alte setzte sich. Des Kleid war schneeweiß, und das Haar auf seinem Haupt wie reine Wolle; sein Stuhl war eitel Feuerflammen, und dessen Räder brannten mit Feuer.

10 Und von ihm her ging ein langer feuriger Strahl. Tausend mal tausend dienten ihm, und zehntausend mal zehntausend standen vor ihm. Das Gericht ward gehalten, und die Bücher wurden aufgetan.

11 Ich sah zu um der großen Reden willen, so das Horn redete; ich sah zu bis das Tier getötet ward und sein Leib umkam und ins Feuer geworfen ward

12 und der anderen Tiere Gewalt auch aus war; denn es war ihnen Zeit und Stunde bestimmt, wie lange ein jegliches währen sollte.

13 Ich sah in diesem Gesicht des Nachts, und siehe, es kam einer in des Himmels Wolken wie eines Menschen Sohn bis zu dem Alten und ward vor ihn gebracht.

14 Der gab ihm Gewalt, Ehre und Reich, daß ihm alle Völker, Leute und Zungen dienen sollten. Seine Gewalt ist ewig, die nicht vergeht, und sein Königreich hat kein Ende.

15 Ich, Daniel, entsetzte mich davor, und solches Gesicht erschreckte mich.

16 Und ich ging zu der einem, die dastanden, und bat ihn, daß er mir von dem allem gewissen Bericht gäbe. Und er redete mit mir und zeigte mir, was es bedeutete.

17 Diese vier großen Tiere sind vier Reiche, so auf Erden kommen werden.

18 Aber die Heiligen des Höchsten werden das Reich einnehmen und werden's immer und ewiglich besitzen.

19 Darnach hätte ich gern gewußt gewissen Bericht von dem vierten Tier, welches gar anders war denn die anderen alle, sehr greulich, das eiserne Zähne und eherne Klauen hatte, das um sich fraß und zermalmte und das übrige mit seinen Füßen zertrat;

20 und von den zehn Hörnern auf seinem Haupt und von dem andern, das hervorbrach, vor welchem drei abfielen; und das Horn hatte Augen und ein Maul, das große Dinge redete, und war größer, denn die neben ihm waren.

21 Und ich sah das Horn streiten wider die Heiligen, und es behielt den Sieg wider sie,

22 bis der Alte kam und Gericht hielt für die Heiligen des Höchsten, und die Zeit kam, daß die Heiligen das Reich einnahmen.

23 Er sprach also: Das vierte Tier wird das vierte Reich auf Erden sein, welches wird gar anders sein denn alle Reiche; es wird alle Lande fressen, zertreten und zermalmen.

24 Die Zehn Hörner bedeuten zehn Könige, so aus dem Reich entstehen werden. Nach ihnen aber wird ein anderer aufkommen, der wird gar anders sein denn die vorigen und wird drei Könige demütigen.

25 Er wird den Höchsten Lästern und die Heiligen des Höchsten verstören und wird sich unterstehen, Zeit und Gesetz zu ändern. Sie werden aber in sein Hand gegeben werden eine Zeit und zwei Zeiten und eine halbe Zeit.

26 Darnach wird das Gericht gehalten werden; da wird dann seine Gewalt weggenommen werden, daß er zu Grund vertilgt und umgebracht werde.

27 Aber das Reich, Gewalt und Macht unter dem ganzen Himmel wird dem heiligen Volk des Höchsten gegeben werden, des Reich ewig ist, und alle Gewalt wird ihm dienen und gehorchen.

28 Das war der Rede Ende. Aber ich, Daniel, ward sehr betrübt in meinen Gedanken, und meine Gestalt verfiel; doch behielt ich die Rede in meinem Herzen.