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D A N IEL 8
page 780
of the first horns were torn out by the roots to
make room for it. This little horn had eyes like
human eyes and a mouth that was boasting
arrogantly.
— promises —
from God
“His kingdom will last
forever, and all rulers will
serve and obey him.”
DA N I E L 7:2 7
9
10
I watched as thrones were put in place
and the Ancient One* sat down to judge.
His clothing was as white as snow,
his hair like purest wool.
He sat on a fiery throne
with wheels of blazing fire,
and a river of fire was pouring out,
flowing from his presence.
Millions of angels ministered to him;
many millions stood to attend him.
Then the court began its session,
and the books were opened.
11 I continued to watch because I could hear
the little horn’s boastful speech. I kept watching
until the fourth beast was killed and its body
was destroyed by fire. 12 The other three beasts
had their authority taken from them, but they
were allowed to live a while longer.*
13 As my vision continued that night, I saw
someone like a son of man* coming with the
clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient
One and was led into his presence. 14 He was
given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all
the nations of the world, so that people of every
race and nation and language would obey him.
His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
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.
Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and Goat
1*During the third year of King Belshazzar’s
reign, I, Daniel, saw another vision, following the one that had already appeared to me.
2 In this vision I was at the fortress of Susa, in
the province of Elam, standing beside the Ulai
River.*
3 As I looked up, I saw a ram with two long
horns standing beside the river.* One of the
horns was longer than the other, even though
it had grown later than the other one. 4 The ram
butted everything out of his way to the west, to
the north, and to the south, and no one could
stand against him or help his victims. He did as
he pleased and became very great.
5 While I was watching, suddenly a male goat
appeared from the west, crossing the land so
swiftly that he didn’t even touch the ground. This
goat, which had one very large horn between its
eyes, 6 headed toward the two-horned ram that
I had seen standing beside the river, rushing at
him in a rage. 7 The goat charged furiously at the
ram and struck him, breaking off both his horns.
8
7:9 Aramaic an Ancient of Days; also in 7:13, 22. 7:12 Aramaic
for a season and a time. 7:13 Or like a Son of Man. 8:1 The
original text from this point through chapter 12 is in Hebrew.
See note at 2:4. 8:2 Or the Ulai Gate; also in 8:16. 8:3 Or the
gate; also in 8:6.