Daniel 11

1 In year one of King Darius the Mede, I arose to fortify and strengthen him.’”ISV — Daniel 11:1

2 “‘Now I’ll tell you the truth: Pay attention! Three more kings will arise in Persia. Then a fourth will gain more than them all. As soon as he gains power by means of his wealth, he’ll stir up everyone against the Grecian kingdoms.ISV — Daniel 11:2

3 “‘A mighty king will come to power, and he’ll rule with awesome energy, doing whatever he pleases.ISV — Daniel 11:3

4 However, after he has come to power, his kingdom will be broken and parceled out in all directions. ^{a11:4 Lit. out to the four winds of heaven} It won’t go to his succeeding descendants, nor will its power match how he ruled, because his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to successors besides them.ISV — Daniel 11:4

5 “‘The southern king will become strong, along with one of his officials, who will become stronger than he and rule over his own realm with great power.ISV — Daniel 11:5

6 After a number of years, they’ll become allies and the daughter of the southern king will go to the northern king in order to craft alliances. But she won’t remain in power, nor will he retain his power. Instead, she’ll be surrendered, along with her entourage, the one who fathered her, and the one who supported her at that time.ISV — Daniel 11:6

7 “‘One of her family line will replace him. He’ll come against the army and enter the fortress of the northern king, conquering them and becoming victorious.ISV — Daniel 11:7

8 He’ll also take their gods, their molten images, and their valuable vessels of silver and gold into Egypt as hostages. He’ll avoid the northern king for a number of years.ISV — Daniel 11:8

9 Then he’ll come against the realm of the southern king and then return to his own territory.ISV — Daniel 11:9

10 His sons will prepare for war, assembling an army of considerable force. One of them will come on forcefully, overflowing, passing through, and waging war up to his own fortress.ISV — Daniel 11:10

11 “‘The southern king will fly into a rage and march out to fight the northern king. He’ll gather a large army, but that army will be handed over to him.ISV — Daniel 11:11

12 When that army has been defeated, he’ll become overconfident and slaughter many thousands, but he won’t succeed.ISV — Daniel 11:12

13 The northern king will return and raise a greater army than before. After a few years, he’ll advance with a great force and with a vast amount of armaments.’”ISV — Daniel 11:13

14 “‘During those years, many will rebel against the southern king. The more violent ones among your people will rebel in order to fulfill this vision, but they will fail.ISV — Daniel 11:14

15 Then the northern king will come, erect a siege ramp, and capture a fortified city. The southern forces won’t prevail—not even with their best troops—and they’ll have no strength to take a stand.ISV — Daniel 11:15

16 “‘However, the one who invades him will do whatever he wants to do. No one will oppose him. He’ll establish himself in the Beautiful Land, wielding devastating power.ISV — Daniel 11:16

17 He’ll decide to come with the full power of his kingdom, bringing with him an alliance that he’ll implement. He’ll give him a daughter in marriage to overthrow it, but it won’t succeed or work out for him.ISV — Daniel 11:17

18 Then he’ll turn his attention to the coastal lands ^{b11:18 Or islands} and will capture many. But a commander will put an end to his insolence, repaying him for his scorn.ISV — Daniel 11:18

19 He’ll turn his attention toward the fortresses in his own territory, but he’ll stumble and fall, and won’t endure.ISV — Daniel 11:19

20 His successor will send out a tax collector for royal splendor, but in a short period of time he’ll be shattered, though neither in anger nor in battle.’”ISV — Daniel 11:20

21 “‘In his place there will arise a despicable person, upon whom no royal authority has been conferred, but he’ll invade in a time of tranquility, taking over the kingdom through deception.ISV — Daniel 11:21

22 Overwhelming forces will be carried away before him, along with the Commander-in-Chief ^{c11:22 Lit. Nagid; i.e. a senior officer entrusted with dual roles of operational oversight and administrative authority} of the covenant.ISV — Daniel 11:22

23 From the time that an alliance is made with him, he’ll act deceitfully, and he will go up and take power with only a small group of nations.ISV — Daniel 11:23

24 He’ll invade the most prosperous areas of the province during a time of tranquility, accomplishing what neither his predecessors nor his ancestors ever could. He’ll distribute war spoils, booty, and wealth to them, and he’ll plot the overthrow of fortresses, though only for a time.ISV — Daniel 11:24

25 He’ll encourage himself against the southern king by raising ^{d11:25 The Heb. lacks raising} a large army. As a result, the southern king will mobilize for war with a large and powerful army, but he won’t succeed because they will devise elaborate schemes against him.ISV — Daniel 11:25

26 His own security detail ^{e11:26 Lit. Those who eat his delicacies} will undermine him, his army will be swept away, and many will fall and be killed in battle. ^{f11:26 The Heb. lacks in battle}ISV — Daniel 11:26

27 Now as for the two kings, their intentions will be evil, and they’ll promote deception at their dinner table, but none of this will succeed, because the end won’t have come yet.ISV — Daniel 11:27

28 Then he’ll return to his homeland with great wealth, will focus his attention against the holy covenant, and will take action as he returns to his land.’”ISV — Daniel 11:28

29 “‘At the scheduled time he’ll return, moving southward, but the end result won’t be as before,ISV — Daniel 11:29

30 because ships will come against him from the Mediterranean islands. ^{g11:30 Lit. from Kittim} Disheartened, he’ll return, incited to vehemence against the holy covenant, and he’ll take action. As he returns, he’ll show deference to those who abandon the holy covenant.ISV — Daniel 11:30

31 Armed forces will arise from his midst, and they’ll desecrate the fortified Sanctuary, abolish the daily sacrifice, and establish the destructive desecration.ISV — Daniel 11:31

32 Through flattery he’ll corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but people who know their God will be strong and take action.ISV — Daniel 11:32

33 Insightful people ^{h11:33 i.e. believers; cf. v. 35} will impart understanding to many, though they’ll fall by sword, by fire, by captivity, and as war booty for a while. ^{i11:33 Lit. for days}ISV — Daniel 11:33

34 When they fall, they’ll be given some relief, but many will join them by pretending to be sympathetic to their cause.ISV — Daniel 11:34

35 Some of the insightful will fall so they may be refined, purged, and purified until the time of the end, since it will surely come about.’”ISV — Daniel 11:35

36 “‘The king will do as he pleases. He’ll exalt and magnify himself above every god, speaking amazing things against the God of Gods. He’ll succeed until the indignation is completed, because what has been determined must be carried out.ISV — Daniel 11:36

37 He’ll recognize neither the gods of his ancestors nor those desired by women—he won’t recognize any god, because he’ll exalt himself above everything.ISV — Daniel 11:37

38 He’ll glorify the god of fortresses, ^{j11:38 Or forces} a god whom his ancestors never knew, honoring him with gold, silver, valuable jewels, and treasures.ISV — Daniel 11:38

39 He’ll take action against the strongest fortresses. With the help of a foreign god, he’ll recognize those who honor him, making them rule over many, and he’ll parcel out the land for a profit.ISV — Daniel 11:39

40 “‘At the time of the end, the southern king will oppose him, and the northern king will overrun him with chariots, cavalry, and many ships. He’ll invade countries, moving swiftly and sweeping through.ISV — Daniel 11:40

41 He’ll enter the Beautiful Land, and many will fall, even though these will escape his control: Edom, Moab, and certain Ammonite officials.ISV — Daniel 11:41

42 He’ll extend his power over other countries, and even the land of Egypt won’t escape.ISV — Daniel 11:42

43 He’ll capture treasures of gold, silver, and all the treasures of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites ^{k11:43 Or Nubians} at his feet.ISV — Daniel 11:43

44 However, reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he’ll march out in great anger, intending to destroy and to desolate many.ISV — Daniel 11:44

45 When he pitches his royal pavilions between the seas ^{l11:45 i.e. between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea} facing the mountain of holy Glory, he’ll come to his end, and no one will help him.’”ISV — Daniel 11:45