Study Desk

So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

And he said to me, O Daniel, you man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright; for now I have been sent away to you. And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.

Then he said to me, Don't 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: and I have come for your words' sake.

Now I have come to make you understand what shall befall your people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for [many] days:

For how can the slave of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me.

And he said, O man greatly beloved, don't be afraid: peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong. And when he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me.

And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.

And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others besides these.

And he shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he had equitable conditions, and performed them: and he shall give him the daughter of women, to corrupt her; but she shall not stand, neither be for him.

And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully; for he shall come up, and shall become strong, with a small people.

In time of security he shall come even on the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them prey, and spoil, and substance: yes, he shall devise his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.

And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall war in battle with an exceeding great and mighty army; but he shall not stand; for they shall devise devices against him.

And as for both these kings, their hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table: but it shall not prosper; for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.

For ships of Kittim shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and shall return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and shall do [his pleasure]: he shall even return, and have regard to those that forsake the holy covenant.

And some of those that are wise shall fall, to refine among them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for the time appointed.

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper until the indignation is accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done.

Neither shall he regard the gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall magnify himself above all.

And he shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god: whoever acknowledges [him] he will increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price.

And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands for the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives forever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.