⁷ The man who wore linen clothes lifted up both his hands towards the sky. I heard him make a strong promise with the authority of God, who lives for ever. He said, ‘It will continue for three and a half times.^[a] Then the enemies of God's holy people will finally lose their power. That will be the end of all these events.’

⁸ I heard the man's words, but I did not understand. So I said, ‘Sir, how will all these things finally finish?’ ⁹ He said to me, ‘You must go now, Daniel. This message will remain secret until it is time for the end of this world. The seals will keep the book closed.