13 I continued watching in the night visions,

and suddenly one like a son of manab

was coming with the clouds of heaven.ac

He approached the Ancient of Days

and was escorted before him.

14 He was given dominionad

and glory and a kingdom,

so that those of every people,

nation, and languageae

should serveaf him.

His dominion is an everlastingag dominion

that will not pass away,

and his kingdom is one

that will not be destroyed.

INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me,C and the visions in my mind terrified me.ah 16 I approached one of those who were standing by and asked himai to clarify all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things:aj 17 ‘These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.’ak

19 “Then I wanted to be clear about the fourth beast,al the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten hornsa on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell—the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly,b and that looked bigger than the others. 21 As I was watching, this horn waged warc against the holy ones and was prevailing over them 22 until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgmentd was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.

23 “This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. 24 The ten hornse are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another king, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings. 25 He will speak words against the Most Highf and oppressA the holy onesg of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivalsB and laws,h and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.C,i 26 But the court will convene,j and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.k 27 The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom,l and all rulers will serve and obey him.’

28 “This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts terrified me greatly,m and my face turned pale,D but I kept the matter to myself.”n