17. As for the fact that you heard a voice that spoke, coming not from its heads but from the middle of its body,
18. this is the interpretation: In the midst of this kingdom’s time, great conflicts will arise. It will be in danger of falling; it won’t fall then but will be restored again to its beginning.
19. “As for the fact that you saw eight little wings clinging to its wings,
20. this is the interpretation: Eight kings will arise in it. Their rules will amount to nothing, and their years will be swift. Two of them will perish
21. when the middle of the time draws near, but four will be reserved until the time approaches for its end. Two will be preserved until the very end.
22. “As for the fact that you saw three heads at rest,
23. this is the interpretation: In the last period the Most High will raise up three kings, and he will renew many things in it, and they will rule the earth
24. and greatly oppress those who dwell on it, more than all the rest who were before them. Therefore, they are called the heads of the eagle,
25. because they will sum up its acts of impiety and complete its last deeds.
26. “As for your seeing the biggest head disappear, one of the kings will die on his bed, though in agonies.
27. As to the two who are left, the sword will destroy them.
28. The sword of one of them will destroy the one who is with him, but he too will fall by the sword in the last days.
29. “As for your seeing the two small wings passing over to the head on the right, this is the interpretation:
30. The Most High is keeping these for the eagle’s end. This rule will be weak and full of upheaval,
31. as you saw. The lion whom you saw rousing itself from the forest and roaring and speaking to the eagle and rebuking it for its deeds of injustice, as for all the words that you heard him speaking,
32. this is the anointed one. The Most High has kept him for the end of days. He will arise from the line of David, and he will come and speak to them. He will denounce their wicked acts and indict them for their injustice. He will set before them their despicable deeds.