He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed.

Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea.

Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.

“As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

“The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”

“Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.