The Vision Interpreted

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within [a]me, and the (A)visions [b]in my mind kept (B)alarming me. 16 I approached one of those who were (C)standing by and began requesting of him the [c]exact meaning of all this. So he (D)told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18 But the [d](E)saints of the Highest One will (F)receive the kingdom and take possession of the kingdom forever, [e]for all ages to come.’

19 “Then I desired to know the [f]exact meaning of the (G)fourth beast, which was different from all [g]the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three of the horns fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts, and [h]which was larger in appearance than its associates. 21 I kept looking, and that horn was (H)waging war with the [i]saints and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and (I)judgment was [j]passed in favor of the [k]saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the [l]saints took possession of the kingdom.

23 “This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth and trample it down and crush it. 24 As for the (J)ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will [m]humble three kings. 25 And he will [n](K)speak against the (L)Most High and (M)wear down the [o]saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make (N)alterations in times and in law; and [p]they will be handed over to him for a [q](O)time, [r]times, and half a [s]time. 26 But the court will [t]convene for judgment, and his dominion will be (P)taken away, [u]annihilated and destroyed [v]forever. 27 Then the [w](Q)sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the [x]saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an (R)everlasting kingdom, and all the empires will (S)serve and obey Him.’

28 [y]At this point the revelation ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were (T)greatly alarming me and my [z]face became pale, but I (U)kept the matter [aa]to myself.”

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:15 Lit its sheath
  2. Daniel 7:15 Lit of my head
  3. Daniel 7:16 Lit what was certain
  4. Daniel 7:18 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  5. Daniel 7:18 Lit and unto the age of the ages
  6. Daniel 7:19 Lit truth concerning
  7. Daniel 7:19 Lit of them
  8. Daniel 7:20 Lit its appearance was larger
  9. Daniel 7:21 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  10. Daniel 7:22 Lit given for
  11. Daniel 7:22 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  12. Daniel 7:22 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  13. Daniel 7:24 Or humiliate
  14. Daniel 7:25 Lit speak words
  15. Daniel 7:25 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  16. Daniel 7:25 I.e., the saints
  17. Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
  18. Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
  19. Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
  20. Daniel 7:26 Lit take its place
  21. Daniel 7:26 Lit to annihilate and to destroy
  22. Daniel 7:26 Lit to the end
  23. Daniel 7:27 Or kingdom
  24. Daniel 7:27 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  25. Daniel 7:28 Lit To here the end of the word
  26. Daniel 7:28 Lit brightness was changing upon me
  27. Daniel 7:28 Lit in my heart

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.

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