² Now I will tell you the truth.^(A)

Prophecies about Persia and Greece

“Three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth will be far richer than the others. By the power he gains through his riches, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.^{(B) 3} Then a warrior king will arise; he will rule a vast realm and do whatever he wants.^{(C) 4} But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and divided to the four winds of heaven,^(D) but not to his descendants; it will not be the same kingdom that he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and will go to others besides them.^(E)