26. Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle.
27. The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.
28. The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.
29. ‘At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before.
30. Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favour to those who forsake the holy covenant.
31. ‘His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.
32. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.