In this vision I was at the fortress of Susa, in the province of Elam, standing beside the Ulai River.

But when one of her relatives becomes king of the south, he will raise an army and enter the fortress of the king of the north and defeat him.

However, the sons of the king of the north will assemble a mighty army that will advance like a flood and carry the battle as far as the enemy’s fortress.

He will take refuge in his own fortresses but will stumble and fall and be seen no more.

“His army will take over the Temple fortress, pollute the sanctuary, put a stop to the daily sacrifices, and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration.

Instead of these, he will worship the god of fortresses—a god his ancestors never knew—and lavish on him gold, silver, precious stones, and expensive gifts.

Claiming this foreign god’s help, he will attack the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land among them as their reward.