7:10 A river of fire was streaming forth
and proceeding from his presence.
Many thousands were ministering to him;
Many tens of thousands stood ready to serve him. 1
The court convened 2
and the books were opened.
7:11 “Then I kept on watching because of the arrogant words of the horn that was speaking. I was watching 3 until the beast was killed and its body destroyed and thrown into 4 the flaming fire. 7:12 As for the rest of the beasts, their ruling authority had already been removed, though they were permitted to go on living 5 for a time and a season. 7:13 I was watching in the night visions,
“And with 6 the clouds of the sky 7
one like a son of man 8 was approaching.
He went up to the Ancient of Days
and was escorted 9 before him.
7:14 To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty.
All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving 10 him.
His authority is eternal and will not pass away. 11
His kingdom will not be destroyed. 12
7:15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed, 13 and the visions of my mind 14 were alarming me. 7:16 I approached one of those standing nearby and asked him about the meaning 15 of all this. So he spoke with me and revealed 16 to me the interpretation of the vision: 17 7:17 ‘These large beasts, which are four in number, represent four kings who will arise from the earth. 7:18 The holy ones 18 of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will take possession of the kingdom forever and ever.’
7:19 “Then I wanted to know the meaning 19 of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others. It was very dreadful, with two rows of iron teeth and bronze claws, and it devoured, crushed, and trampled anything that was left with its feet. 7:20 I also wanted to know 20 the meaning of the ten horns on its head, and of that other horn which came up and before which three others fell. This was the horn that had eyes 21 and a mouth speaking arrogant things, whose appearance was more formidable than the others. 22 7:21 While I was watching, that horn began to wage war against the holy ones and was defeating 23 them, 7:22 until the Ancient of Days arrived and judgment was rendered 24 in favor of the holy ones of the Most High. Then the time came for the holy ones to take possession of the kingdom.
7:23 “This is what he told me: 25
‘The fourth beast means that there will be a fourth kingdom on earth
that will differ from all the other kingdoms.
It will devour all the earth
and will trample and crush it.
7:24 The ten horns
mean that ten kings will arise from that kingdom.
Another king will arise after them,
but he will be different from the earlier ones.
He will humiliate 26 three kings.
7:25 He will speak words against the Most High.
He will harass 27 the holy ones of the Most High continually.
His intention 28 will be to change times established by law. 29
They will be delivered into his hand
For a time, times, 30 and half a time.
7:26 But the court will convene, 31 and his ruling authority will be removed –
destroyed and abolished forever!
7:27 Then the kingdom, authority,
and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven
will be delivered to the people of the holy ones 32 of the Most High.
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
all authorities will serve him and obey him.’
7:28 “This is the conclusion of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and the color drained from my face. 33 But I kept the matter to myself.” 34