The Time of the End

12 “At that time shall arise (A)Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And (B)there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, (C)everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who (D)sleep in (E)the dust of the earth shall (F)awake, (G)some to everlasting life, and (H)some to shame and everlasting contempt. (I)And those who are wise (J)shall shine like the brightness of the sky above;[a] and (K)those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, (L)shut up the words and (M)seal the book, until (N)the time of the end. (O)Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on (P)this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. And someone said to (Q)the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,[b] (R)“How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” And I heard (S)the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; (T)he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and (U)swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a (V)time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of (W)the power of (X)the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. I heard, (Y)but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, (Z)“Go your way, Daniel, (AA)for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 (AB)Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but (AC)the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, (AD)but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that (AE)the regular burnt offering is taken away and (AF)the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 (AG)Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 (AH)But go your way till the end. (AI)And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at (AJ)the end of the days.”

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 12:3 Hebrew the expanse; compare Genesis 1:6–8
  2. Daniel 12:6 Or who was upstream; also verse 7

Eternal life or eternal disgrace

12 “At that time, Michael the great leader who guards your people will take his stand. It will be a difficult time—nothing like it has ever happened since nations first appeared. But at that time every one of your people who is found written in the scroll will be rescued. Many of those who sleep in the dusty land[a] will wake up—some to eternal life, others to shame and eternal disgrace. Those skilled in wisdom[b] will shine like the sky. Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and always. But you, Daniel, must keep these words secret! Seal the scroll until the end time! Many will stray far, but knowledge will increase.”

Waiting for the end time

I, Daniel, looked and suddenly saw two other figures—one standing on each side of the stream. One said to the man clothed in white linen, who was farther upstream: “When will these astonishing things be over?”

I heard the man clothed in white linen, who was farther upstream, swear by the one who lives forever as he raised both hands to heaven: “For one set time, two set times, and half a set time. When the breaking of the holy people’s power is over, all these things will be over.”

I heard it, but I didn’t understand it. “My lord,” I said, “what will happen after all this?”

He said, “Get going now, Daniel, because these words must remain secret and sealed up until the end time. 10 Many will purify, cleanse, and refine themselves, but the wicked will act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but those skilled in wisdom will understand. 11 There will be one thousand two hundred ninety days from the time the daily sacrifice is stopped to the setting up of the desolating monstrosity. 12 Happy is the one who waits and reaches one thousand three hundred thirty-five days. 13 Now as for you, go on to the end. You will rest and will stand to receive your reward at the end of days.”

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 12:2 Or earthy soil or dust of the earth
  2. Daniel 12:3 See 1:4; or The teachers; see 11:33, 35; also in 12:10.