¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,^[a](A) coming^(B) with the clouds of heaven.^(C) He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority,^(D) glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him.^(E) His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom^(F) is one that will never be destroyed.^(G)

The Interpretation of the Dream

¹⁵ “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.^{(H) 16} I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this.

“So he told me and gave me the interpretation^(I) of these things: ¹⁷ ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. ¹⁸ But the holy people^(J) of the Most High will receive the kingdom^(K) and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’^(L)

¹⁹ “Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. ²⁰ I also wanted to know about the ten horns^(M) on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.^{(N) 21} As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,^{(O) 22} until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.^(P)

²³ “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.^{(Q) 24} The ten horns^(R) are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. ²⁵ He will speak against the Most High^(S) and oppress his holy people^(T) and try to change the set times^(U) and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.^[b](V)

²⁶ “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed^(W) forever. ²⁷ Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms^(X) under heaven will be handed over to the holy people^(Y) of the Most High.^(Z) His kingdom will be an everlasting^(AA) kingdom, and all rulers will worship^(AB) and obey him.’

²⁸ “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled^(AC) by my thoughts,^(AD) and my face turned pale,^(AE) but I kept the matter to myself.”

²⁷ “All things have been committed to me^(A) by my Father.^(B) No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.^(C)

⁶⁴ “You have said so,”^(A) Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One^(B) and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^[a](C)

⁹ For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life^(A) so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.^(B)

²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead^(A) and seated him at his right hand^(B) in the heavenly realms,^{(C) 21} far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,^(D) and every name^(E) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.^{(F) 22} And God placed all things under his feet^(G) and appointed him to be head^(H) over everything for the church,

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,^{(F) 13} for it is God who works in you^(G) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.^(H)

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(I) or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless^(J) and pure, “children of God^(K) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[a](L) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ^(M) that I did not run^(N) or labor in vain.^{(O) 17} But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering^(P) on the sacrifice^(Q) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.^{(R) 18} So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy^(S) to you soon,^(T) that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him,^(U) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests,^(V) not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father^(W) he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.^{(X) 24} And I am confident^(Y) in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker^(Z) and fellow soldier,^(AA) who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.^{(AB) 26} For he longs for all of you^(AC) and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him,^(AD) so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,^{(AE) 30} because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.^(AF)

¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(A) over every power and authority.^(B)

²² who has gone into heaven^(A) and is at God’s right hand^(B)—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.^(C)