= DASV: Digital American Standard Version<= br>
= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 1

¹ In the thi= rd year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylo= n came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

² The Lord d= elivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the sacred vessel= s of the temple of God. He carried them off to the land of Shinar to the temple = of his god, and brought the sacred vessels into the treasure-house of his god.=

³ The king commanded Ashpenaz, the chief of= his palace officials who were eunuchs, that he should bring in some of the Isra= elites from the royal family and nobility.

⁴ These were= to be young men in whom there was no blemish, handsome, well versed in all wis= dom, gifted with knowledge, insightful, and competent to stand in the king's pal= ace. He was to teach them the learning = and the language of the Chaldeans.

⁵ The king a= ssigned them a daily portion from royal rations of food and the wine which he himse= lf drank. They were to be educat= ed for three years, so that at the end of their training they would be capable of entering the king's service.

⁶ Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, all from the tribe of Judah.

⁷ The chief = of the palace officials gave them new names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar; Hananiah he called Shadrach; Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he call= ed Abednego.

⁸ But Daniel made up his mind that he would= not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine that he drank. So he a= sked the chief of the palace officials for permission not to defile himself.

⁹ Now God ma= de Daniel to find favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the palace officials.

¹⁰ But the ch= ief of the palace officials replied to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, w= ho has assigned your food and drink. What would happen if he finds you are in worse shape than the other = youths that are of your same age? That would endanger my head with the king."=

¹¹ Then Daniel asked the attendant whom the = chief of the palace officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

¹² "Plea= se test your servants, for ten days by giving us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

¹³ You can compare our appearance and the appearance of the other youths who eat of th= e king's food. Then deal with your ser= vants according to what you see."

¹⁴ So he agre= ed to it and tested them for ten days.

¹⁵ At the end= of ten days their appearance was better, and they were more nourished, than all the youths who ate the king's food.

¹⁶ So the att= endant took away their royal delicacies, and the wine that they were supposed to d= rink, and kept giving them vegetables.

¹⁷ Now as for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. Daniel had the abili= ty to understand all visions and dreams.

¹⁸ At the end= of the set time for training that the king had ordered, the chief of the palace officials brought them for presentation to Nebuchadnezzar.

¹⁹ The king i= nterviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered into= the service of the king.

²⁰ When the k= ing consulted with them in every matter of wisdom and understanding, he found t= hem ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire realm.=

²¹ Daniel continued in that role until the first year of King Cyrus.

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 2

¹ In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had several dreams which troubled his mind so that he could not sleep.

² The king s= ummoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and the Chaldean astrologers to tell = the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king.

³ The king t= old them, "I have had a dream that troubles my mind and I want to understa= nd the dream."

⁴ Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, "O king, live forever. Tell yo= ur servants the dream, and we will explain its interpretation."<= /p>

⁵ The king r= eplied to the Chaldeans, "This is what I have decided: you must tell me the dream as well= as its interpretation or you will be cut in pieces and your houses will be red= uced to rubble.

⁶ If you tel= l me the dream and its interpretation you will receive gifts, rewards and great honor from me. So tell me the dream and its interpretation."

⁷ They answe= red a second time, "Let the king tell his servants the dream, then we will t= ell you what it means."

⁸ The king r= eplied, "I know for certain you are trying to stall for time, because you are aware that my decision is final.

⁹ But if you= do not make known the dream to me, there is but one verdict left for you. You have prepared lying and corrupt words to tell me, until the situation changes. So tell me the dream itself, then = I will know that you can actually tell me its meaning."

¹⁰ The Chalde= ans answered the king, "No one on the earth can do what the king demands. = No king, lord, or ruler, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchante= r, or Chaldean astrologer.

¹¹ What the k= ing is demanding is too hard. No = one can tell this to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.&= quot;

¹² Because of this the king became furious, = and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

¹³ So the dec= ree went forth, and the wise men were about to be executed. They also searched for Daniel and = his companions to execute them.

¹⁴ Then Danie= l replied with discretion and prudence to Arioch the commander of the king's guard, w= ho had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon.

¹⁵ He asked Arioch the king's commander, "Why is the decree so urgent from the kin= g?" Then Arioch explained what was going on to Daniel.

¹⁶ Daniel wen= t in and requested that the king set a time, and he would tell the king the interpretation of the dream.

¹⁷ Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about= the matter.

¹⁸ He asked t= hem to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this secret so that Dan= iel and his companions would not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylo= n.

¹⁹ The secret= was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven= .

²⁰ Daniel sai= d,

&nb= sp; "Praise be the name of God forever and ever;

&nb= sp; &= nbsp; wisdom and power are his.

²¹ He changes times and the seasons;

&nb= sp; = he removes kings and sets up others.

He g= ives wisdom to the wise,

&nb= sp; = and knowledge to those who have understanding.

²² He reveals the deep and hidden things;

&nb= sp; = he knows what is in the darkness,

&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; and light dwells with him.

²³ I thank you, and praise you, O God of my fathers,

&nb= sp; &= nbsp; who has given me wisdom and might,

and has now made known to me what w= e asked from you,

&nb= sp; &= nbsp; for you have made known to us

&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; the solution of the king's question."

²⁴ Then Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He came and said to = him: "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me in to the king, and I will tell the king the dream's meaning."

²⁵ So Arioch = quickly brought Daniel in before the king and told him, "I have found a man am= ong the captives of Judah who can make known the meaning of the dream for the k= ing."

²⁶ The king a= sked Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to tell me the dream which I have seen, as well as its interpretation?"

²⁷ Daniel answered the king, "While there are no wise men, enchanters, magicians= , or soothsayers who can reveal the mystery the king has asked about,=

²⁸ there is, however, a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to Ki= ng Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Your dream, and the visions = of your head you received while lying in bed, are these:

²⁹ As for you= , O king, when you were on your bed your thoughts were about what will take pla= ce in the future. He who reveals mysteries has made known to you what will com= e to pass.

³⁰ But as for= me, this mystery was not revealed to me because of any special wisdom that I ha= ve more than anyone else, but so that the meaning may be known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your heart.

³¹ You, O kin= g, gazed on and saw a tremendous image. This huge extremely shiny statue stood befor= e you; its appearance was terrifying.

³² As for thi= s statue, its head was made of fine gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly a= nd thighs were bronze,

³³ its legs w= ere iron, its feet were part iron and part clay.

³⁴ You watched while a stone was cut out but without human hands. It struck the statue on = its feet of iron and clay, and shattered them into pieces.

³⁵ Then the i= ron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold, were crushed together. They were blown away like the chaf= f of the summer threshing floors without a trace being left. Then the stone that struck the ima= ge became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

³⁶ This is the dream and now we will tell th= e king its interpretation.

³⁷ You, O kin= g, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, power, = might, and glory.

³⁸ He has giv= en into your hand human beings, wherever they live, the animals of the field a= nd the birds of the sky. He has = made you ruler over them all. You are = the head of gold.

³⁹ After you = will arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then a third kingdom of bronze, wh= ich will rule over all the earth.

⁴⁰ At last a fourth kingdom will be strong as iron.&nbs= p; Just as iron shatters and smashes everything; so it will crush and shatter all these.

⁴¹ As you saw, the feet and toes were partly of potters' clay and partly of iron, it will = be a divided kingdom. Some of the strength of iron will be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with clay.

⁴² As the toe= s of the feet were part of iron and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

⁴³ As you saw= the iron mixed with miry clay, they will mix themselves with one another, but t= hey will not really bond to one another, even as iron does not mix with clay.

⁴⁴ In the day= s of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereignty be conquered by another people. It will break in pieces and consum= e all these kingdoms, and it will last forever.

⁴⁵ You saw a stone cut out of the mountain without human hands, and that it broke the ir= on, bronze, clay, silver, and gold into pieces. The great God has made known to= the king what will happen in the future. The dream is certain and its interpretation sure."

⁴⁶ Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, and paid homage to Daniel. He= commanded that they should offer a sacrifice and burn incense to him.

⁴⁷ The king r= esponded to Daniel, "Truly your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, = and a revealer of mysteries, seeing you have been able to reveal this mystery.&= quot;

⁴⁸ Then the k= ing promoted Daniel, and gave him many splendid gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and the chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

⁴⁹ At Daniel's request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affair= s of the province of Babylon while Daniel himself served in the king's court.

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 3

¹ King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold= , ninety feet tall, and nine feet wide. He set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

² Then King = Nebuchadnezzar summoned together the satraps, officials, governors, judges, treasurers, ad= visors, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication = of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

³ So the satraps, officials, governors, judges, treasurers, advisors, magistrates, a= nd all the rulers of the provinces, were summoned together for the dedication = of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had erected. They stood before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

⁴ Then the herald announced loudly, "To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, = and languages,

⁵ that when = you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, harp, pipe, and all kinds of mu= sic, you must bow down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has= erected.

⁶ Whoever do= es not bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace blazing = with fire."

⁷ Therefore = when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, harp, and = all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages, bowed down and worshipped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.=

⁸ Now at that time certain Chaldeans came f= orward, and brought charges against the Jews.

⁹ They said = to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever.

¹⁰ You, O kin= g, have made a decree, that every one that hears the sound of the horn, flute,= lyre, trigon, harp, and pipes, and all kinds of music, must bow down and worship = the golden image.

¹¹ Whoever do= es not bow down and worship will be thrown into a furnace blazing with fire.<= /o:p>

¹² There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, have no respect for you. They do not serve your gods, or worship the golden image that you = have set up."

¹³ Then Nebuchadnezzar in a fit of furious rage commanded Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. So they brought these men before the king.<= o:p>

¹⁴ Nebuchadne= zzar asked them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do = not serve my god, or worship the golden image that I have set up?

¹⁵ Now if you= are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, fall down and worship the image that I have made. B= ut if you refuse to worship, you will immediately be thrown into the furnace blazing with fire. Then what = god will be able to deliver you out of my hands?"

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have = no need to present a defense to you about this.

¹⁷ If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace blazing with fire, he = will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

¹⁸ But if not= , you should know for sure, O king, that we will not serve your gods, or worship = the golden image that you have set up."

¹⁹ Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and= his face became livid against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He demanded that they should heat = the furnace seven times hotter than normal.

²⁰ Then he commanded some of the strongest men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, = and Abednego, and to throw them into the furnace blazing with fire.<= /span>

²¹ So these m= en were bound in their cloaks, trousers, and turbans, and other garments, and = were thrown into furnace blazing with fire.

²² Because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace so hot, the flames killed th= ose men who had picked up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

²³ So these t= hree men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into furnace blazing = with fire.

²⁴ Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonish= ed, and quickly got up. He said to his advisers, "Did we not throw three m= en bound into the fire?" They replied to the king, "That's right, O king."

²⁵ He replied= , "But I see four men loose, walking around in the fire unharmed; and the fourth l= ooks like a son of the gods."

²⁶ Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the furnace blazing with fire. He = called out, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High G= od, come out here." Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the f= ire.

²⁷ The satrap= s, officials, governors, and the king's advisers, had gathered together and saw that these men were unharmed by the fire. Not a hair of their head was singed, nor their clothing scorched. Even the smel= l of fire was not found on them.

²⁸ Nebuchadne= zzar spoke, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They have de= fied the king's word, and have given up their own bodies, that they might not se= rve or worship any god, except their own God.

²⁹ Therefore I make a decree, that any people, nation, and language, which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, will be cut in pieces, and their houses turned into a pile of rubble, because there is no other god that is able to deliver like this."

³⁰ Then the k= ing promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 4

¹ King Nebuchadnezzar,

to all the peoples, nations, and languages, that live in all the earth:

Peace and prosperity to you.

² I am please to publish the signs and wond= ers that the Most High God has done for me.

³ &= nbsp; How great are his signs!

&nb= sp; = How mighty are his wonders!

His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

&nb= sp; = and his rule is from generation to generation.

⁴ I, Nebuchadnezzar, was resting in my home, and prospering in my palace.

⁵ I saw a dr= eam that made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and visions of my head terrified= me.

⁶ Therefore = made I a decree to summon all the wise men of Babylon before me, so that they mi= ght make known to me the interpretation of the dream.

⁷ Then the magicians, enchanters, Chaldean astrologers, and fortune-tellers came in, a= nd I told them about the dream, but they could not tell me its meaning.

⁸ At the las= t, Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar--according to the nam= e of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods--and I told him the drea= m, saying,

⁹ "O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy go= ds is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Tell me the meaning of = the visions I saw in my dream.

¹⁰ Here are t= he visions of my mind lying on my bed: I looked and saw a tree in the middle of the earth. Its height was gre= at.

¹¹ The tree g= rew tall and strong, and its height reached to heaven, and it was visible to the ends of the entire earth.

¹² Its foliage was beautiful, and its fruit plentiful, providing food for all. Under it th= e animals of the field found shade, and the birds of the heavens nested in its branch= es, and all living creatures were fed from it.

¹³ I looked in the visions of my head while lying my bed, and a messenger, a holy one, came down from heaven.

¹⁴ He cried o= ut, 'Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves, and scatter = its fruit. Let the animals get out from under it, and the birds out of its branches.

¹⁵ But leave = the stump and its roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it= , in a field with the tender grass. Let it be wet with the dew of heaven and let= him live with the animals in the grass of the earth.

¹⁶ Let his mi= nd be changed from that of a human's, and let a beast's mind be given to him; = and let seven times pass over him.

¹⁷ The senten= ce is by the decree of the messengers, and the decision by the word of the holy ones, so that those living may know that the Most High rules over the kingd= om of humans, and gives it to whomever he wants, and sets up over it the lowli= est of people.'

¹⁸ This is th= e dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. = Now you, Belteshazzar, explain to me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom were able to tell me what it meant. But you are able; because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."

¹⁹ Then Danie= l, whose name was Belteshazzar, was troubled for a while, and his thoughts ala= rmed him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream, or the interpretation, terrify you." Belteshazzar replied, "My lord, the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies.

²⁰ The tree t= hat you saw, which grew tall and strong, whose height reached to heaven, and was visible to the ends of the entire earth;

²¹ whose foli= age was beautiful, and its fruit plentiful, proving food for all, under it the = animals of the field used to live, and the birds of the heavens used to nest in its branches--

²² it is you,= O king, who are grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and rea= ches to heaven, and your rule is to the ends of the earth.

²³ When the k= ing saw a holy messenger coming down from heaven, and saying, 'Cut down the tre= e, and destroy it; but leave its stump and roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze in a field with the tender grass. Let it be wet with the de= w of heaven and let him live with the animals in the grass of the earth, until s= even times pass over him.

²⁴ This is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, that has come upon my lord the king.

²⁵ You will be driven from human community, and your dwelling will be with the animals of = the field. You will be fed grass like oxen, and will be wet with the dew of hea= ven, and seven times will pass over you until you realize that the Most High rul= es over the kingdom of humans, and gives it to whomever he pleases.

²⁶ Whereas th= ey commanded to leave the stump and roots of the tree; your kingdom will be re= stored to you, after you realize that heaven does rule.

²⁷ Therefore,= O king, please accept my advice, and break off committing sins by doing right= eousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps then your prosper= ity may be prolonged."

²⁸ All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.=

²⁹ After twel= ve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon.

³⁰ The king s= aid, "Is not this the great Babylon that I have built for the royal residen= ce, by the strength of my power and for my glorious majesty?"

³¹ While the = words were still in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, "O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is proclaimed: The kingdom is removed from you.

³² You will be driven from human community and you will live with the animals of the field= . You will be fed grass like oxen and seven times will pass over you until you re= alize that the Most High rules over the kingdom of human beings, and gives it to whomever he pleases."

³³ That very moment the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from= human community, and ate grass like oxen, his body was wet with the dew of heaven= , until his hair had grown long like eagles' feathers and his nails became like bir= ds' claws.

³⁴ At the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezza= r, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me,

&nb= sp; I blessed the Most High,

&nb= sp; = and I praised and honored him who lives forever;

for = his rule is an everlasting rule,

&nb= sp; = and his kingdom from generation to generation.

³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are considered as nothing; <= /p>

&nb= sp; = he does whatever he wants with the army of heaven

&nb= sp; = and among the inhabitants of the earth.

&nb= sp; There is no one who can stop his hand,

&nb= sp; = or say to him, "What are you doing?"

³⁶ At the same time my reason returned to me, the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and sple= ndor also was restored to me. Then= my advisers and my lords sought me out and I was reestablished in my kingdom with more greatness than I had before.

³⁷ Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his wor= ks are right, and his ways just. Those who walk in pride he is able to bring down.

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 5

¹ Belshazzar the king made a great feast fo= r a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in front of all of them.

² Belshazzar, while tasting the wine, commanded to bring in the gold and silver vessels t= hat his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem, so that= the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink from them.

³ So they brought in the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple, the house = of God that was at Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them.

⁴ While they drank wine, they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and = stone.

⁵ Suddenly t= he fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace next to the lampstand. The king was watching the hand as it wrote.

⁶ Then the king's face became pale and his thoughts terrified him; the joints of his h= ips gave way and his knees knocked.

⁷ The king c= ried out to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldean astrologers, and the fortune-t= ellers. The king said to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever can read this writi= ng, and tell me its meaning, will be clothed with purple and have a gold chain = put around his neck and will be the third highest ruler in the kingdom."

⁸ So all the king's wise men came in, but t= hey could not read the writing or tell the king its meaning.<= /p>

⁹ Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, and his faced turned pale and his lords we= re perplexed.

¹⁰ Now the qu= een, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet hall = and said, "O king, live forever; don't panic.&n= bsp; Don't look so frightened.

¹¹ There is a= man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, understanding and wisdom, like the wis= dom of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, made him chief of the magici= ans, enchanters, Chaldean astrologers, and fortune-tellers.

¹² An excelle= nt spirit, knowledge, ability to interpret dreams, solve riddles, and difficult dilemmas were found in this man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. N= ow let Daniel be called, and he will provide the interpretation."

¹³ So Daniel was brought in before the king.= The king said to Daniel, "Are you Daniel, one of the captives of Judah, wh= om my father the king brought out of Judah?

¹⁴ I have hea= rd of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that insight, understandi= ng and extraordinary wisdom are found in you.

¹⁵ Now the wi= se men and enchanters, have been brought before me, in order to read this writ= ing, and tell me its meaning, but they could not provide an interpretation of its message.

¹⁶ But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations, and figure out difficult d= ilemmas. Now if you can read the writing, and tell me its interpretation, you will be clothed with purple and have a gold chain hung around your neck, and will be the third highest ruler in the kingdom."

¹⁷ Then Daniel answered before the king, &qu= ot;Keep your gifts, and give your rewards to someone else. I will, nevertheless, re= ad the writing to the king and tell him its interpretation.<= /p>

¹⁸ O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, greatness, glory, and majesty.

¹⁹ Because of= the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations and languages trembled= and feared before him. Whomever he wanted, he killed, and whomever he wanted, he kept alive. Those whom he wanted, he raised up, and those whom he wanted, h= e brought down.

²⁰ But when h= is heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he acted proudly, = he was deposed from his kingly throne and stripped of his glory.

²¹ He was dri= ven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like that of an animal, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he realized that the Most High G= od was sovereign over human kingdoms, and that he sets up over it whomever he plea= ses.

²² You his so= n, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,

²³ but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessel= s of his house before you, your lords, your wives and concubines, and have drunk wine from them. You have praised gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, = and stone, which cannot see, hear or know. The God in whose hand your breath is= as well as all your ways, you have not glorified.

²⁴ So from his presence this hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed.

²⁵ This is the writing that was inscribed: M= ENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PHARSIN.

²⁶ This is the interpretation of the words: MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and brough= t it to an end.

²⁷ TEKEL, you= are weighed in the balances, and have been found lacking.

²⁸ PERES, your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians."

²⁹ Then, at Belshazzar's command, they cloth= ed Daniel with purple, and put a gold chain around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third highest ruler in t= he kingdom.

³⁰ That same = night Belshazzar, the Chaldean King, was assassinated.

³¹ Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about 62 years old.

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 6

¹ It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom= 120 satraps, who would be in charge of the whole kingdom.

² Over them = were three commissioners, one of whom was Daniel. These satraps were accountable= to them, so that the king might not suffer any loss.

³ Now this Daniel was distinguished above the commissioners and the satraps, because a= n extraordinary spirit was in him, and the king considered putting him over the whole realm= .

⁴ Then the commissioners and the satraps so= ught to find some grounds for an accusation against Daniel regarding the kingdom; but they could not find any grounds or fault, because he was faithful, ther= e was no negligence or corruption found in him.

⁵ So these m= en reasoned, "We will not find any grounds for accusing this Daniel, unle= ss we find it concerning the law of his God."

⁶ Then these= commissioners and satraps assembled together to the king and said to him, "King Dari= us, live forever.

⁷ All the co= mmissioners of the kingdom, the deputies, satraps, advisers and governors, have agreed together that a royal decree should be issued and strictly enforced, that whoever for the next thirty days will pray to any god or man except to you,= O king, he will be thrown into a den of lions.

⁸ Now, O kin= g, issue the decree, and sign the document so that it be not changed, according to t= he law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked."

⁹ Therefore = King Darius signed the document and the edict.

¹⁰ When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his home. Now his windows were open in his upper ro= om toward Jerusalem. He knelt there three times a day to pray and give thanks = to his God, just as he had done previously.

¹¹ Then these= men conspired together, and found Daniel praying and pleading before his God.

¹² They appro= ached the king and asked him concerning the royal edict: "Did you not sign a= n edict, that anyone who prays to any god or human except you within thirty days, O king, should be thrown into a lions' den?" The king replied, "That decision is established according to the law of the Medes and Persians, whi= ch cannot be revoked."

¹³ Then they = said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, nor to the edict that you have signed, but still = prays three times a day."

¹⁴ When the k= ing heard these charges, he was very upset, and attempted to think of a way to save Daniel and worked to rescue him until the sunset.

¹⁵ Then these men came by collusion to the k= ing and said to him, "You realize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes a= nd Persians, that no edict or law which the king issues may be changed."<= o:p>

¹⁶ Then the k= ing commanded, and they brought Daniel, and threw him into the den of lions. No= w the king spoke to Daniel, "May your God whom you serve so faithfully save = you."

¹⁷ A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den and the king sealed it with his o= wn signet ring and with the signet rings of his lords so that no exception mig= ht be made concerning Daniel.

¹⁸ Then the k= ing went to his palace and spent the night without food and no musical entertainment. It was impossible for him to sleep.

¹⁹ Then at the crack of dawn, the king got up and quickly went to the lions' den.

²⁰ When he ar= rived at the den he called out anxiously to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to deliver you = from the lions?"

²¹ Then Danie= l replied to the king, "O king, live forever.

²² My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions' mouths. They have not hurt me since= I was found blameless before him nor have I ever done any wrong against you, O king."

²³ Then the k= ing was elated, and commanded that they should pull Daniel up out of the den. So Da= niel was pulled up out of the den without injury, because he had trusted in his = God.

²⁴ Then the king sent and had those men that= had accused Daniel brought and thrown into the lions' den, also their children = and their wives. The lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces before they hit the floor of the den.

²⁵ Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages living in all the earth: "Peace and prosperity to you.

²⁶ I make a decree, that in all the realm of my kingdom people tremble and fear before = the God of Daniel;

&nb= sp; For he is the living God,

&nb= sp; = enduring forever.

&nb= sp; His kingdom will never be destroyed,

&nb= sp; = and his dominion will never end.

²⁷ He delivers and rescues,

&nb= sp; = and he works signs and wonders

&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; in heaven and on earth.

&nb= sp; He has saved Daniel

&nb= sp; = from the power of the lions."

²⁸ So Daniel = prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 7

¹ In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions in his head as he lay on his bed. He wrote the dream and reported a summary of it.

² Daniel sai= d, "I saw in my vision at night, the four winds of heaven stirring up the great s= ea.

³ Four great beasts came up out the sea, each different from the others.

⁴ The first = was like a lion, and had eagle's wings. While I watched, its wings were plucked= off and it was lifted up from the ground. It was made to stand on two feet like= a human, and it was given a human mind.

⁵ Then a sec= ond beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and= had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, "Get up, devour much flesh."

⁶ After this= I looked and another appeared like a leopard. It had on its back four wings of a bir= d. The beast also had four heads, and authority to rule was given to it.

⁷ After this= I saw in the vision at night, a fourth beast, dreadful, terrifying and very s= trong. It had huge iron teeth with w= hich it devoured and crushed, and stomped with its feet what was left. It was diffe= rent from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns.

⁸ While I considered the horns, another horn came up between them, a little one. Thre= e of the former horns were torn up by the roots. This horn had eyes like human eyes= and a mouth boasting of great things.

⁹ I watched = as thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His cloth= ing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were a blazing fire.

¹⁰ A river of fire poured out and flowed before him. Thousands upon thousands served him,= and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was set, and the books were opened.

¹¹ I kept watching because of the arrogant words which the horn was speaking. I watch= ed until the beast was slain, and its body destroyed. It was given to be burned with fir= e.

¹² As for the rest of the beasts, their ruling authority was taken away, yet their lives = were prolonged for a season and a time.

¹³ I watched = in the visions at night as there came with the clouds of heaven one like a son= of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him into his pres= ence.

¹⁴ He was giv= en authority to rule, glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His rule is an everlasting reign, which will not pass awa= y, and his kingdom will never be destroyed.

¹⁵ As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me wa= s troubled, and the visions of my head shocked me.

¹⁶ I came nea= r to one who was standing there and asked him what all this meant. So he told me, and explained to me the meaning of these things.

¹⁷ These four= great beasts are four kings that will arise from the earth.

¹⁸ But the ho= ly ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for= ever and ever.

¹⁹ Then I asked about the meaning of the fou= rth beast, which was different from all the others, tremendously terrifying. Its teeth were iron, and its claws bronze and it devoured, crushed in pieces, a= nd stomped what was left with its feet.

²⁰ I also ask= ed about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up,= and before whom the other three fell. It was the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke boastful things, that appeared larger than the others.

²¹ While I was watching, this horn made war with the holy ones and prevailed against them,=

²² until the = Ancient of Days came, and judgment was rendered for the holy ones of the Most High. Then the time came for the holy ones to gain possession of the kingdom.

²³ This is what he said, "The fourth be= ast will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the other ki= ngdoms. It will devour the whole earth, and will trample it down and crush it in pieces.

²⁴ As for the= ten horns, out of this kingdom will arise ten kings. Then another king will ari= se after them who will be different from the previous kings, and he will bring down three kings.

²⁵ He will sp= eak words against the Most High, and will wear out the holy ones of the Most Hi= gh. He will attempt to change their set times and the law and they will be hand= ed over to him for a time, times and half a time.

²⁶ But the co= urt will convene for judgment, and they will take away his power to rule. It wi= ll be consumed and destroyed forever.

²⁷ The kingdom and the ruling power, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole hea= ven, will be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom = is an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey him.<= /span>

²⁸ Here is the end of the vision. As for me, Daniel, I was very troubled by my thoughts an= d my face grew pale, yet I kept the matter to myself."

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 8

¹ In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the one that had been giv= en to me previously.

² I saw myse= lf in the vision in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam; in the vision I= was by the Ulai river.

³ Then I loo= ked up, and saw a ram with two horns standing by the river. The two horns were = long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one came up last.

⁴ I saw the = ram butting westward, northward, and southward. None of the animals could stand before = it, neither was there any that could deliver from his power. It did whatever it pleased and became very great.

⁵ While I wa= s reflecting on all this, a male goat came from the west over the face of the whole eart= h, and without touching the ground. The goat had a large horn between its eyes= .

⁶ It came to= the ram that had the two horns, that I had seen standing before the river, and = ran at him with the fury of brute force.

⁷ I saw it approach the ram, and it became enraged against the ram and struck it, brea= king its two horns. The ram had no power to resist it. It knocked the ram down to the ground, and trampled on it and there was no one who could deliver the r= am from its power.

⁸ The male g= oat became very powerful, but when it became strong, the great horn was broken off. In= its place came up four prominent horns pointed in the direction of the four win= ds of heaven.

⁹ Out of one= of them came a little horn, which grew to be huge, toward the south and the ea= st, and toward the glorious land.

¹⁰ It grew so= great it reached the host of heaven. It threw down some of the host and of the st= ars to the ground and trampled on them.

¹¹ Yes, it ev= en acted arrogantly against the Prince of the heavenly host from whom it took = away the daily burnt offering, and the place of his sanctuary was thrown down.

¹² The host w= as given over to it together with = the daily burnt offering as a result of its rebellion. It hurled truth to the ground and = yet prospered in what it did.

¹³ Then I hea= rd a holy one speaking and another holy one asked the one who was speaking, &quo= t;How long will be the vision concerning the daily burnt offering last, and the r= ebellion that causes destruction, and the handing over of the sanctuary and heaven's host being trampled underfoot?"

¹⁴ He told me= , "For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be consecrated again.&= quot;

¹⁵ When I, Daniel, was watching the vision, = I attempted to understand it. Now there stood before me one who had the appearance of a man.

¹⁶ I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai. It called, "Gabriel, help t= his man to understand the vision."

¹⁷ So he came= to where I was standing; and when he approached I was terrified and fell on my face, but he said to me, "Understand, O son of man; for the vision per= tains to the end time."

¹⁸ Now as he = was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face toward the ground. = But he touched me and stood me upright.

¹⁹ Then he sa= id, "Look, I will make you know what will be in the latter time of wrath; for it conce= rns the appointed end of time.

²⁰ The ram th= at had the two horns that you saw, represents the kings of Media and Persia.

²¹ The shaggy male goat is the king of Greece, and the huge horn between his eyes is the first king.

²² As for the other four horns that arose in place of the horn that was broken off, they represent four kingdoms that will stand up from his nation although they wi= ll not have his power.

²³ At the end= of their rule, when the transgressions have reach their completion, a fierce looking king, skilled in deceit, will arise.

²⁴ His power = will be mighty, but it will not be his own power; he will cause an astonishing devastation, and will prosper in whatever he attempts. He will destroy the mighty ones an= d the holy people.

²⁵ By his cun= ning, he will cause deceit to prosper under his hand. He will think arrogantly about him= self, and will destroy many with no warning. He will also stand up against the Pr= ince of princes; but he will be broken without human intervention.

²⁶ The vision= about the evenings and mornings that was told to you is true. But seal up the vis= ion, for it pertains to many days in the future."

²⁷ Then I, Daniel, fainted and was sick several days; then I rose up and did the king's business. I was astounded at the vision and did not really understand it.

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 9

¹ In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus [or Xerxes], of Median descent, who was made king over the realm = of the Chaldeans,

² in the fir= st year of his reign I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures in the word of = the LORD revealed to Jeremiah the prophet that the number of the years for the = fulfillment of the devastation of Jerusalem was seventy years.

³ So I turned my face to the Lord God, to s= eek by prayer and appeals, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.=

⁴ I prayed t= o the LORD my God, and made confession, saying, "Oh, Lord, the great and awe= some God, who keeps covenant and loyal love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

⁵ we have si= nned and done wrong and acted wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside fr= om your precepts and laws.

⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our forefathers, and to all the people of the land.

⁷ O Lord, righteousness belongs to you, but to us a shamed face, even to this day--to= the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those near and those far away, through all the countries where you have driven them, because of their unfaithfulness against you.

⁸ O Lord, to= us belong a shamed face, to our kings, our princes, and our forefathers, becau= se we have sinned against you.

⁹ To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him.

¹⁰ We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, that he set befo= re us by his servants the prophets.

¹¹ All Israel= has transgressed your law and turned aside not obeying your voice. Therefore the curse and solemn imprecations have been poured out on us that were written = in the law of Moses, the servant of God, for we have sinned against you.<= /o:p>

¹² He has car= ried out his words which he spoke against us, and against our rulers who ruled u= s, by bringing upon us a great calamity that has been done to Jerusalem which = has never ever happened under the whole heaven.

¹³ Just as it= is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us. Yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God, by turning from our iniquities, a= nd prudently implementing your truth.

¹⁴ Therefore = the LORD kept watch over this calamity and brought it upon us; for the LORD our= God is righteous in all his works that he does, but we have not obeyed his voic= e.

¹⁵ Now, O Lord our God, who has brought your people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and has made a reputation for yourself even to this day--we ha= ve sinned, we have done wickedly.

¹⁶ O Lord, according to all your righteousness, let your anger and your wrath, I pray,= be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because for our s= ins, and for the iniquities of our forefathers. Jerusalem and your people have become a disgrace to all those around us.

¹⁷ Now theref= ore, O our God, listen to the prayer and requests of your servant, and cause your face to shine with favor upon your sanctuary that is desolate for your sake= .

¹⁸ O my God, = bend your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and gaze on our desolations, and the ci= ty which is called by your name. For we do not present our requests before you based on our own righteousness, b= ut because of your great mercy.

¹⁹ O Lord, he= ar; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act. Do not delay, for your own sake, O= my God, because your city and your people are called by your name."<= /o:p>

²⁰ I continued speaking, praying, and confes= sing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my request before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God.

²¹ While I was speaking in prayer, the person Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, flew quickly to me about the time of the evening sacrifice.=

²² He instruc= ted me and talked with me, saying, "Daniel, I am now come out to teach you understanding.

²³ At the beginning of your prayer requests the commandment went forth, and I have co= me to tell you; for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the matter and understand the vision.

²⁴ Seventy we= eks are decreed upon your people and upon your holy city to finish their transgression, and to put an end to sins, and to atone for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place.

²⁵ Know there= fore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and= to rebuild Jerusalem to the Anointed One, the prince, there will be seven weeks, and s= ixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and moat, but in troubled times.

²⁶ After the = sixty-two weeks the Anointed One will be cut off, and will have nothing. Then the peo= ple of the prince that will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its e= nd will be with a flood, and even to the end there will be war. The devastation has been decreed.

²⁷ Then he wi= ll make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the midst of the week, he w= ill cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and on the wing of abominati= ons will come one who makes devastation, until the decreed end will be poured out on= the one making the devastation."

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 10

¹ In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia= a message was revealed to Daniel, also called Belteshazzar. The message was true and about a great warfare. He understood the message having gained understandin= g in the vision itself.

² In those d= ays I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.

³ I ate no t= asty food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, unt= il the three weeks were over.

⁴ On the twe= nty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the bank of the great river, the Tigris= ,

⁵ I lifted u= p my eyes, and looked, there was a man clothed in linen with a belt of pure gold from Uphaz wrapped around his waist.

⁶ His body a= lso was like crystal beryl, his face like lightning, and his eyes like flaming torches, and his arms and his feet shined like polished bronze, and the voi= ce of his words was like the roar of a large crowd.

⁷ I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the people with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling shook them and they fled to hide themselves.

⁸ So I was l= eft alone, and saw this great vision, with no strength left in me for my vigor vanished and my strength was drained.

⁹ Then I heard the sound of his words; and = when I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to t= he ground.

¹⁰ A hand tou= ched me, and set me on my hands and knees.

¹¹ He said to= me, "Daniel, you are greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to y= ou. Stand up, for I am have been sent to you." When he told me this, I sto= od up trembling.

¹² Then he sa= id to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day that you set = your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. Now I am come because of your words.

¹³ But the pr= ince of the kingdom of Persia hindered me twenty-one days. But Michael, one of t= he chief princes, came to help me and I left him there with the king of Persia= .

¹⁴ Now I am c= ome to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days; = for the vision concerns events many days in the future."=

¹⁵ When he had spoken these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speech= less.

¹⁶ Then one w= ho looked like a human being touched my lips. I opened my mouth, and spoke to = the one who stood before me, saying, "O my lord, because of the vision my sorrows have come upon me, and I have lost my strength.

¹⁷ For how ca= n this servant of my lord talk with you my lord? For I have completely lost my strength and I can barely breathe."

¹⁸ Then again= one who looked like a human touched me and strengthened me.

¹⁹ Then he sa= id, "O man greatly loved, do not be afraid. Peace be to you, be strong. Yes, be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

²⁰ Then he as= ked, "Do you know why I have come to you? Shortly I must return to fight wi= th the prince of Persia and when I leave here the prince of Greece will come.<= o:p>

²¹ But I will tell you what is written in the Writing of Truth. There is no one who helps= me against these princes, except Michael, your prince.

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 11

¹ As for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to support and strengthen him.

² And now I will tell you the truth. There = will arise three more kings in Persia. The fourth will be the richest of all. Wh= en he comes to power by his riches, he will stir up everyone against the kingd= om of Greece.

³ A mighty k= ing will stand up, who will rule with great authority, and do whatever he pleases.

⁴ When he ri= ses to power, his kingdom will be broken, and will be divided toward the four w= inds of heaven but not to his posterity, or according to his authority by which = he ruled; for his kingdom will be uprooted and dispersed to others besides the= se.

⁵ Then the k= ing of the south will be strong, and one of his princes will become stronger th= an he, and will rule a realm greater than his own.

⁶ At the end= of some years they will make an alliance; the daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she will not retain= her power; nor will his strength last. She will be betrayed, she, her attendant= s, her father, and the one who supported her in those times.=

⁷ But out of= a shoot from her roots will arise one in his place. He will attack the army a= nd will break into the fortress of the king of the north, and fight against them and prevail.

⁸ Even their gods, with their cast images, and with their precious gold and silver vesse= ls, he will carry captive to Egypt. For some years he will desist from attacking t= he king of the north.

⁹ Then the king of the north will come agai= nst the realm of the king of the south, but will withdraw to his own land.=

¹⁰ His sons w= ill wage war, and will assemble a large and powerful army, which will advance, flood, and pass through; and again bring the battle even up to his fortress.<= /o:p>

¹¹ Then the k= ing of the south will become angry, and will come out and fight against the kin= g of the north. He will muster a great multitude, but the multitude will be deli= vered into his hand.

¹² After the multitude is carried off, his heart will become arrogant, though he will de= stroy tens of thousands, yet he will not be victorious.

¹³ The king of the north will return, and will raise a multitude larger than the former; a= fter some years he will come out with a great army and abundant supplies.

¹⁴ At that ti= me many will rise up against the king of the south. The violent among your own people = will arise to fulfill the vision, but they will fail.

¹⁵ So the kin= g of the north will come, and build up a siege ramp and capture a well-fortified city. The forces of the south will not stand, even his elite special forces= , for there will not be any strength to resist.

¹⁶ But he who comes against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to withsta= nd him. He will stand in the glorious land, and its destruction will be within= his grasp.

¹⁷ His plan w= ill be to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he will form alliances.= He will give the king of the south a daughter in marriage in order to take down his kingdom; but his plan will not succeed.

¹⁸ After this= he will turn his face to the coastlands, and will capture many. But a commande= r will bring an end to his insolence and even cause his insolence to turn back upon him.

¹⁹ Then he wi= ll turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall, and will never be found again.

²⁰ Then one will have a tax collector replace him to enhance the glory of the kingdom; but within few days he will be destroyed, though not in anger or in battle.

²¹ In his pla= ce will arise a contemptible person, to whom they had not conferred the honor of ki= ngship. He will come in a time of prosperity, and will obtain the kingdom by intrig= ue.

²² Armies wil= l be totally swept away and broken before him, including the prince of the coven= ant.

²³ After the = alliance made with him, he will deal deceitfully; for he will come up, and will beco= me strong with a small base of people.

²⁴ Without warning he will invade the richest places of the province. Then he will do = what his predecessor had never done; he will distribute to his followers plunder, spoil, and wealth. He will devise plans against the fortified cities, but o= nly for a little while.

²⁵ He will st= ir up his power and courage against the king of the south with a great army. T= he king of the south will fight the war with an exceeding great and mighty arm= y; but he will not stand, for there will be plots undermining him.<= /span>

²⁶ Yes, those= who eat his royal delicacies will destroy him, and his army will be swept away; many will die in battle.

²⁷ Both of th= ese kings will have their hearts bent on evil, and they will tell each other li= es at one table. But it will not= succeed; for the end will occur at the appointed time.

²⁸ Then he wi= ll return to his land with great wealth, and his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will do his dastardly damage and then return to his own l= and.

²⁹ At the time appointed, he will return and= enter the south; but this time it will not be as it was previously.

³⁰ For ships = of Kittim will come against him resulting in him being discouraged so he will withdraw. But he will direct = his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and bestow favor on those wh= o forsake the holy covenant.

³¹ His forces= will stand and profane the sanctuary and fortress. They will abolish the daily b= urnt offering and set up the abomination that causes desecration.

³² He will use flattery to seduce those who violate the covenant; but the people who know their God will be courageous and take strong action.

³³ They who a= re wise among the people will instruct many, although they will fall by the sw= ord, flame, captivity and plunder for many days.

³⁴ Now when t= hey fall, they will receive a little help; but many will hypocritically allege = to join them.

³⁵ Some of th= ose who are wise will fall, in order to refine, purify, and cleanse them, until= the time of the end; because the appointed time is still to come.

³⁶ The king will do as he pleases; he will e= xalt and magnify himself above every god, and will blaspheme against the God of = gods. He will prosper until the wrath is finished; for that which is decreed must= be done.

³⁷ He will have no respect for the god= s of his forefathers, or the preferred god of women, or any other god; for he wi= ll magnify himself above all.

³⁸ But instea= d, he will honor the god of fortresses; a god whom his forefathers did not kno= w. He will honor him with gold, silver, precious stones and valuable treasures= .

³⁹ He will de= al with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Whoever acknowledges him, he will grant lucrative positions of authority over many = and will divide the land for a price.

⁴⁰ At the tim= e of the end the king of the south will contend with him, and the king of the no= rth will come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and many ships.= He will invade other countries, and will wash through them like a flood.=

⁴¹ He will en= ter also into the glorious land, and many countries will be overthrown. But Edo= m, Moab and the ruler of the Ammonites will be delivered out of his hand.=

⁴² He will stretch out his hand against many countries; even the land of Egypt will not escape.

⁴³ But he will have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and all the treasures of Egypt. The Libyans and Ethiopians will also submit.

⁴⁴ But news o= ut of the east and north will trouble him. He will set out with great fury to destroy and utterly annihilate many.

⁴⁵ He will pi= tch his royal tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

= &nb= sp; = DASV: Daniel 12

¹ "At that time Michael, the great pri= nce who watches over the children of your people, will stand up. There will be a ti= me of trouble, such as has never been since nations came into being. But at th= at time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the bo= ok.

² Many of th= ose who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

³ They who a= re wise will shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.=

⁴ But you, Daniel, keep these words secret, and seal the book, until the time of the e= nd when many will run to and fro and knowledge will be increased."

⁵ Then I, Daniel, looked, and there stood t= wo others, the one on the bank of the river on this side, and the other on the bank on= the opposite side.

⁶ One of the= m said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "H= ow long will it be to the end of these wonders?"

⁷ Then I hea= rd the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he he= ld up his right and left hands to heaven, swear by him who lives forever, &quo= t;It will be for a time, times, and half a time. When they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished."

⁸ I heard, b= ut I did not understand so I asked, "My lord, what will be the outcome of t= hese things?"

⁹ He said, &= quot;Go your way, Daniel; for the words are concealed and sealed until the time of = the end.

¹⁰ Many will = be purified, cleansed, and refined; but the wicked will keep on doing wickedness. None of the wicked will understand; but those who are wise will understand.

¹¹ From the t= ime the daily burnt offering is be taken away, and the abomination that causes desecration is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

¹² Blessed is= the one who expectantly waits and comes to the end of 1,355 days.

¹³ But go your way until the end. You will r= est, then will stand receiving what has been allotted to you at the end of the days.&= quot;