Daniel 12
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 12
1 “At that time there shall arise
Michael, the great prince,
the guardian of your people.
Then there will be a period
that will be unsurpassed in distress
since nations first came into existence.
At that time your own people will be spared,
everyone whose names are found written in the book.
2 “Many of those shall awake
who sleep in the dust of the earth.
Some shall gain everlasting life;
others will earn shame and everlasting disgrace.
3 However, the wise will shine
like the brightness of the heavens,
and those who lead many to righteousness
will be as bright as the stars forever and ever.
4 As for you, Daniel,
keep these words secret,
and seal the book until the time of the end.
Many shall fall away,
and evils shall increase.”
Daniel’s Final Revelation.[a] 5 I, Daniel, then looked and saw two others standing, one on the bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was upstream, “How long shall it be until these incredible events take place?”
7 The man robed in linen who was upstream raised both his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, “It will be for a year, for two years, and half a year, and then all these things will cease when the power of the destroyer of the holy people will come to an end.”
8 I heard what was said but I did not understand, so I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of all these things?” 9 He replied, “Go on your way, Daniel, for these words are to be kept secret and remain sealed until the end time.
10 “Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will persist in their evil ways. 11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the appalling abomination is set up, one thousand two hundred and ninety days will elapse.
12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres and attains one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 But you, go on your way and rest. Then you will rise for your reward at the end of the ages.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 12:5 The author predicts that the trial will last three and a half years. This approximate time corresponds to the half week of the great prophecy (Dan 9:27); it will subsequently become the symbolic duration of all persecution. The image of the sealed book hints that they will not be understood until the events are fulfilled. In the Book of Revelation (Rev 6) the seals are opened by the Lamb, that is, the risen Jesus, in whom history gets its meaning. Destined to comfort martyrs, the final numbers (vv. 11-12) are possibly witnesses of a hope that is disappointed several times before it is finally fulfilled: the recompense is near.
Daniel 12
New King James Version
Prophecy of the End Time
12 “At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
(A)And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people (B)shall be delivered,
Every one who is found (C)written in the book.
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
(D)Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame (E)and everlasting [a]contempt.
3 Those who are wise shall (F)shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
(G)And those who turn many to righteousness
(H)Like the stars forever and ever.
4 “But you, Daniel, (I)shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall (J)run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that (K)riverbank. 6 And one said to the man clothed in (L)linen, who was above the waters of the river, (M)“How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?”
7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he (N)held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him (O)who lives forever, (P)that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; (Q)and when the power of (R)the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 (S)Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, (T)but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but (U)the wise shall understand.
11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
13 “But you, go your way till the end; (V)for you shall rest, (W)and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 12:2 Lit. abhorrence
Daniel 12
English Standard Version
The Time of the End
12 “At that time shall arise (A)Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And (B)there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, (C)everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who (D)sleep in (E)the dust of the earth shall (F)awake, (G)some to everlasting life, and (H)some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 (I)And those who are wise (J)shall shine like the brightness of the sky above;[a] and (K)those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, (L)shut up the words and (M)seal the book, until (N)the time of the end. (O)Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on (P)this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to (Q)the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,[b] (R)“How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” 7 And I heard (S)the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; (T)he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and (U)swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a (V)time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of (W)the power of (X)the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. 8 I heard, (Y)but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, (Z)“Go your way, Daniel, (AA)for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 (AB)Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but (AC)the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, (AD)but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that (AE)the regular burnt offering is taken away and (AF)the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 (AG)Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 (AH)But go your way till the end. (AI)And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at (AJ)the end of the days.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 12:3 Hebrew the expanse; compare Genesis 1:6–8
- Daniel 12:6 Or who was upstream; also verse 7
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
