20 “In his place one will arise who will send out a tax collectorj for the glory of the kingdom; but within a few days he will be broken, though not in angerG or in battle.

21 “In his place a despisedk person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come during a time of peaceH,l and seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22 A flood of forces will be swept away before him; they will be broken, as well as the covenant prince. 23 After an alliance is made with him, he will act deceitfully. He will rise to power with a small nation.I 24 During a time of peace,J he will come into the richest parts of the provincem and do what his fathers and predecessors never did. He will lavish plunder, loot, and wealth on his followers, and he will make plans against fortified cities, but only for a time.

25 “With a large army he will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will prepare for battle with an extremely large and powerful army, but he will not succeed, because plots will be made against him. 26 Those who eat his provisionsn will destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall slain. 27 The two kings, whose hearts are bent on evil, will speak lieso at the same table but to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time.p