13 You will arise(A) and have compassion(B) on Zion,
    for it is time(C) to show favor(D) to her;
    the appointed time(E) has come.
14 For her stones are dear to your servants;
    her very dust moves them to pity.

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13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.

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The Interpretation of the Vision

15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision(A) and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man.(B) 16 And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai(C) calling, “Gabriel,(D) tell this man the meaning of the vision.”(E)

17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate.(F) “Son of man,”[a] he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”(G)

18 While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.(H) Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.(I)

19 He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath,(J) because the vision concerns the appointed time(K) of the end.[b](L) 20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.(M) 21 The shaggy goat is the king of Greece,(N) and the large horn between its eyes is the first king.(O) 22 The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.

23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people.(P) 25 He will cause deceit(Q) to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes.(R) Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.(S)

26 “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true,(T) but seal(U) up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”(V)

27 I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted(W) for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business.(X) I was appalled(Y) by the vision; it was beyond understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 8:17 The Hebrew phrase ben adam means human being. The phrase son of man is retained as a form of address here because of its possible association with “Son of Man” in the New Testament.
  2. Daniel 8:19 Or because the end will be at the appointed time

15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.

20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

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