15. Because of this, my spirit was anguished and I, Daniel, was terrified by my visions.
16. I approached one of those present and asked him the truth of all this; in answer, he made known to me its meaning:
17. “These four great beasts stand for four kings which shall arise on the earth.
18. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it forever and ever.”
19. Then I wished to make certain about the fourth beast, so very terrible and different from the others, devouring and crushing with its iron teeth and bronze claws, and trampling with its feet what was left;
20. and about the ten horns on its head, and the other one that sprang up, before which three horns fell; and about the horn with the eyes and the mouth that spoke arrogantly, which appeared greater than its fellows.
21. For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones and was victorious
22. until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, and the time arrived for the holy ones to possess the kingship.
23. He answered me thus:“The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth,different from all the others;The whole earth it shall devour,trample down and crush.
24. The ten horns shall be ten kingsrising out of that kingdom;another shall rise up after them,Different from those before him,who shall lay low three kings.
25. He shall speak against the Most Highand wear down the holy ones of the Most High,intending to change the feast days and the law.They shall be handed over to himfor a time, two times, and half a time.
26. But when the court is convened,and his dominion is taken awayto be abolished and completely destroyed,
27. Then the kingship and dominion and majestyof all the kingdoms under the heavensshall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High,Whose kingship shall be an everlasting kingship,whom all dominions shall serve and obey.”
28. This is the end of the report. I, Daniel, was greatly terrified by my thoughts, and my face became pale, but I kept the matter to myself.