Daniel 7

1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans, Daniel had a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream. 2 I, Daniel, was watching in my vision during the night, and I saw the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the others. 4 The first was like a lioness and had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were torn off. It was lifted from the ground, made to stand on human feet, and given a human heart. † 5 Then I saw a second beast, like a bear, raised up on one side. Three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. A voice told it, “Get up and devour much flesh!” 6 After this I looked and saw another beast, like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back and four heads, and authority was given to it. 7 After this I looked and saw a fourth beast. It was terrifying, dreadful, and extremely strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and trampled what remained under its feet. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns when another little horn came up among them. Three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth speaking boastful things.

9 I watched until thrones were set in place and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head was like pure wool. His throne was fiery flame, and its wheels were burning fire. 10 A river of fire flowed out before him. Thousands upon thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. 11 I kept watching because of the boastful words the horn was speaking, until the beast was killed and destroyed, and its body was handed over to be burned with fire. 12 The other beasts had their dominion taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 I looked in the night vision, and there came one like a son of man with the clouds of heaven. He came to the Ancient of Days and was brought near before him. [a] † † 14 He was given dominion, honor, and a kingdom, and every people, tribe, and language will serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom will not be destroyed.

15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit trembled within me, and the visions in my mind troubled me. 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the truth about all these things. He told me and made their interpretation known to me: 17 “These four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise on the earth and then be taken away.” 18 “The holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever and ever.” 19 Then I wanted to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and extremely terrifying. Its teeth were iron and its claws bronze; it devoured and crushed, then trampled what remained under its feet. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and the other horn that came up, before which three fell—the horn with eyes and a mouth speaking boastful things, whose appearance was greater than the others. 21 As I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and gave judgment in favor of the holy ones of the Most High. Then the time came for the holy ones to possess the kingdom. 23 He said, “The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on earth. It will surpass every other kingdom, devour the whole earth, trample it, and cut it to pieces.” 24 “The ten horns are ten kings who will arise. Another will arise after them, surpass the earlier ones in wickedness, and subdue three kings.” 25 “He will speak words against the Most High, wear down the holy ones of the Most High, and plan to change times and law. They will be handed into his power for a time, times, and half a time.” † 26 “But the court will sit in judgment, and they will remove his dominion, abolishing and destroying it completely.” 27 “The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kings under the whole heaven will be given to the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom is everlasting, and every power will serve and obey him.” 28 This is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts deeply troubled me, and my face changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.