The Interpretation of the Vision

¹⁵ While I, Daniel, was watching the vision^(A) and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man.^{(B) 16} And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai^(C) calling, “Gabriel,^(D) tell this man the meaning of the vision.”^(E)

¹⁷ As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate.^(F) “Son of man,”^[a] he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”^(G)

¹⁸ While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.^(H) Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.^(I)

¹⁹ He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath,^(J) because the vision concerns the appointed time^(K) of the end.^{[b](L) 20} The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.^{(M) 21} The shaggy goat is the king of Greece,^(N) and the large horn between its eyes is the first king.^{(O) 22} The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.

²³ “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. ²⁴ He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people.^{(P) 25} He will cause deceit^(Q) to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes.^(R) Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.^(S)

²⁶ “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true,^(T) but seal^(U) up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”^(V)

²¹ while I was still in prayer, Gabriel,^(A) the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.^{(B) 22} He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.^{(C) 23} As soon as you began to pray,^(D) a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.^(E) Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:^(F)

²⁴ “Seventy ‘sevens’^[a] are decreed for your people and your holy city^(G) to finish^[b] transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone^(H) for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness,^(I) to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.^[c]

²⁵ “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild^(J) Jerusalem until the Anointed One,^[d](K) the ruler,^(L) comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.^{(M) 26} After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death^(N) and will have nothing.^[e] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood:^(O) War will continue until the end, and desolations^(P) have been decreed.^{(Q) 27} He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’^[f] In the middle of the ‘seven’^[g] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple^[h] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed^(R) is poured out on him.^[i]”^[j]