Study Desk

and said, "I am disturbed by a dream that I don't understand, and I want you to explain it."

However, you must realize that these mysteries weren't explained to me because I am smarter than everyone else. Instead, it was done so that you would understand what you have seen.

Now I am going to give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue when you hear the music, everything will be all right. But if you don't, you will at once be thrown into a flaming furnace. No god can save you from me."

I am glad to tell about the wonderful miracles God Most High has done for me.

"Daniel, that was the dream that none of the wise men in my kingdom were able to understand. But I am sure that you will understand what it means, because the holy gods have given you some special powers."

I am your servant, Lord God, and I beg you to answer my prayers and bring honor to yourself by having pity on your temple that lies in ruins.

and he explained: Daniel, I am here to help you understand the vision.

I am merely your servant. How can I possibly speak with someone so powerful, when I am almost too weak to get my breath?"

Part One: The Four Kings and their Successors What I am going to tell you is certain to happen. Four kings will rule Persia, one after the other, but the fourth one will become much richer than the others. In fact, his wealth will make him so powerful that he will turn everyone against the kingdom of Greece.

I am Hosea son of Beeri. When Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah, and when Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel, the Lord spoke this message to me.

But I am the Lord God of Judah, and I will have mercy and save Judah by my own power—not by wars and arrows or swords and cavalry."

Then the Lord said, "Name him Lo-Ammi, because these people are not mine, and I am not their God."

Accuse! Accuse your mother! She is no longer my wife, and now I, the Lord , am not her husband. Beg her to give up prostitution and stop being unfaithful,

and faithfulness. Then you will truly know who I am.

I am the Lord , their God, but in all of their troubles their pride keeps them from returning to me.

Someone from Israel built that idol for you, but only I am God. And so it will be smashed to pieces.

Israel, I won't lose my temper and destroy you again. I am the Holy God— not merely some human, and I won't stay angry.

Israel, I, the Lord , am still your God, just as I have been since the time you were in Egypt. Now I will force you to live in tents once again, as you did in the desert.

I, the Lord , have been your God since the time you were in Egypt. I am the only God you know, the only one who can save.

Israel, give up your idols! I will answer your prayers and take care of you. I am that glorious tree, the source of your fruit.