32. The king will use deceit to win followers from those who are unfaithful to God, but those who remain faithful will do everything possible to oppose him.
33. Wise leaders will instruct many of the people. But for a while, some of these leaders will either be killed with swords or burnt alive, or else robbed of their possessions and thrown into prison.
34. They will receive only a little help in their time of trouble, and many of their followers will be treacherous.
35. Some of those who are wise will suffer, so that God will make them pure and acceptable until the end, which will still come at the time he has decided.
36. This king will do as he pleases. He will proudly claim to be greater than any god and will insult the only true God. Indeed, he will be successful until God is no longer angry with his people.
37. This king will reject the gods his ancestors worshipped and the god preferred by women. In fact, he will put himself above all gods
38. and worship only the so called god of fortresses, who was unknown to his ancestors. And he will honour it with gold, silver, precious stones, and other costly gifts.
39. With the help of this foreign god, he will capture the strongest fortresses. Everyone who worships this god will be put in a position of power and rewarded with wealth and land.