⁷ The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand^(A) and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever,^(B) saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time.^[a](C) When the power of the holy people^(D) has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.^(E)”

⁷ “After that, in my vision^(A) at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron^(B) teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled^(C) underfoot whatever was left.^(D) It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.^(E)

The Interpretation of the Dream

¹⁵ “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.^(A)

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.

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.^{(A) 24} The ten horns^(B) 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^(C) and oppress his holy people^(D) and try to change the set times^(E) and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.^[a](F)

⁵ The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies^(A) and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.^{(B) 6} It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.^{(C) 7} It was given power to wage war^(D) against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.^{(E) 8} All inhabitants of the earth^(F) will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life,^(G) the Lamb^(H) who was slain from the creation of the world.^[a](I)

⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.^(J)

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness^(L) on the part of God’s people.^(M)