29 “At the appointed time he will come again to the South, but this timeL will not be like the first. 30 Ships of KittimM,q will come against him, and being intimidated, he will withdraw. Then he will rage against the holy covenant and take action. On his return, he will favor those who abandon the holy covenant. 31 His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the regular sacrificer and set up the abomination of desolation.s 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action.t 33 Those who have insight among the peopleu will give understanding to many, yet they will fall by the sword and flame,v and they will be captured and plundered for a time. 34 When they fall, they will be helped by some, but many others will join them insincerely.w 35 Some of those who have insight will fall so that they may be refined,x purified, and cleansedy until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.