23. After the league is made with him, he shall work deceitfully, and he shall come up and shall become strong with a small force of people.
24. He shall enter peaceably even upon the richest places of the realm. And he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers. He shall distribute among them the plunder and spoil and riches. And he shall plan his devices against the strongholds, but only for a time.
25. “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army. But he shall not stand, for schemes shall be devised against him.
26. Indeed, those who eat his choice food shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow, and many shall fall down slain.
27. As for both of these kings, their hearts shall plan on mischief, and they shall speak lies to one another at one table. But it shall not prosper, for the end shall yet be at the appointed time.
28. While turning back to his land with great wealth, his heart shall be against the holy covenant. He shall wage war and turn back to his own land.
29. “At the appointed time he shall return and come into the south, but this latter time shall not be as the former.
30. For the ships of Kittim shall come against him. Therefore he shall be grieved and return and have indignation against the holy covenant and take action. He shall even return and show regard to those who forsake the holy covenant.
31. “His armies shall rise up and desecrate the sanctuary fortress. They shall abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination that makes desolate.
32. By flatteries he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and take action.
33. “The wise among the people shall instruct many. Yet for many days they shall fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by destruction.
34. Now when they fall, they shall be given a little help. But many shall cleave to them with flatteries.