28. I saw the two that were left plotting among themselves that they too should rule,
29. and while they were making their plans, one of the heads that had been at rest, the one in the middle, woke up. This one was bigger than the other two heads.
30. I saw how it formed a partnership with the two other heads,
31. and then how the head turned with those that were with it, and it ate the two little wings that had planned to rule.
32. Moreover, this head gained power over the whole earth and dominated those who lived on it, inflicting great distress. It had greater power over the whole world than all the wings that had gone before.
33. After all this, I watched as the middle head, just like the wings, suddenly disappeared.
34. There were two heads left, however, which also ruled over the earth and over those who live on it.
35. I looked and watched as the head on the right side devoured the one on the left.
36. I heard a voice saying to me, "Look in front of you and consider what you see."
37. I looked and saw something like a lion being roused, roaring out of the forest. I heard how he spoke in a human voice and said to the eagle,
38. "Listen, you, and I will speak to you. The Most High says to you,
39. ‘Aren’t you the last of the four beasts that I made to rule in my world so that I might bring about the end of my times through them?
40. You, the fourth that has come, conquered all the beasts that came before you, ruling over the world with much terror and over the whole world with harsh oppression. You have lived in the world with deceit for so long!
41. You judged the earth, but not in truth,
42. for you have oppressed the meek and injured those who caused no unrest. You hated those who spoke the truth and loved liars. You destroyed the dwellings of those who bore fruit and tore down the walls of those who had done you no harm.
43. Your insolence has ascended to the Most High and your pride to the mighty one.
44. The Most High has reviewed his times. Look! They are finished, and his ages are complete.
45. Therefore, eagle, you must utterly vanish, you and your terrifying wings, your dreadful little wings and your evil heads, and your dreadful talons and all your worthless body.
46. Then the whole earth will be refreshed and restored, set free from your violence, and will hope for the judgment and mercy of him who made it.’"