Daniel 7:15-28
English Standard Version
Daniel's Vision Interpreted
15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me[a] was anxious, and (A)the visions of my head alarmed me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. 17 (B)‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. 18 But (C)the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’
19 “Then I desired to know the truth about (D)the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, 20 (E)and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. 21 As I looked, this horn (F)made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the (G)Ancient of Days came, and (H)judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when (I)the saints possessed the kingdom.
23 “Thus he said: ‘As for (J)the fourth beast,
there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth,
which shall be different from all the kingdoms,
and it shall devour the whole earth,
and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
24 As for the ten horns,
out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise,
and another shall arise after them;
he shall be different from the former ones,
and shall put down three kings.
25 (K)He shall speak words against the Most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
and shall think to (L)change the times and the law;
and they shall be given into his hand
for (M)a time, times, and half a time.
26 (N)But the court shall sit in judgment,
and (O)his dominion shall be taken away,
to be consumed and destroyed (P)to the end.
27 (Q)And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of (R)the saints of the Most High;
(S)his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’[b]
28 “Here is the end of the matter. (T)As for me, Daniel, my (U)thoughts greatly alarmed me, (V)and my color changed, but (W)I kept the matter in my heart.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Daniel 7:15 Aramaic within its sheath
- Daniel 7:27 Or their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them
Daniel 7:15-28
New Living Translation
The Vision Is Explained
15 I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me. 16 So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this: 17 “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. 18 But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”
19 Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one so different from the others and so terrifying. It had devoured and crushed its victims with iron teeth and bronze claws, trampling their remains beneath its feet. 20 I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against God’s holy people and was defeating them, 22 until the Ancient One—the Most High—came and judged in favor of his holy people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom.
23 Then he said to me, “This fourth beast is the fourth world power that will rule the earth. It will be different from all the others. It will devour the whole world, trampling and crushing everything in its path. 24 Its ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them. 25 He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.
26 “But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed. 27 Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.”
28 That was the end of the vision. I, Daniel, was terrified by my thoughts and my face was pale with fear, but I kept these things to myself.
Read full chapterThe Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
