14 (A)Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all (B)peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is (C)an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.

Daniel’s Visions Interpreted

15 “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit [a]within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four [b]kings which arise out of the earth. 18 But (D)the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’

19 “Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; 20 and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke [c]pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.

21 “I was watching; (E)and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, (F)and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

23 “Thus he said:

‘The fourth beast shall be
(G)A fourth kingdom on earth,
Which shall be different from all other kingdoms,
And shall devour the whole earth,
Trample it and break it in pieces.
24 (H)The ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom.
And another shall rise after them;
He shall be different from the first ones,
And shall subdue three kings.
25 (I)He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall (J)persecute[d] the saints of the Most High,
And shall (K)intend to change times and law.
Then (L)the saints shall be given into his hand
(M)For a time and times and half a time.

26 ‘But(N) the court shall be seated,
And they shall (O)take away his dominion,
To consume and destroy it forever.
27 Then the (P)kingdom and dominion,
And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,
Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.
(Q)His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
(R)And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:15 Lit. in the midst of its sheath
  2. Daniel 7:17 Representing their kingdoms, v. 23
  3. Daniel 7:20 Lit. great things
  4. Daniel 7:25 Lit. wear out

14 And to Him was given (A)dominion,
Honor, and [a](B)a kingdom,
(C)So that all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [b]languages
Might serve Him.
(D)His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
(E)And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed.

The Vision Interpreted

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within [c]me, and the (F)visions [d]in my mind kept (G)alarming me. 16 I approached one of those who were (H)standing by and began requesting of him the [e]exact meaning of all this. So he (I)told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18 But the [f](J)saints of the Highest One will (K)receive the kingdom and take possession of the kingdom forever, [g]for all ages to come.’

19 “Then I desired to know the [h]exact meaning of the (L)fourth beast, which was different from all [i]the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three of the horns fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts, and [j]which was larger in appearance than its associates. 21 I kept looking, and that horn was (M)waging war with the [k]saints and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and (N)judgment was [l]passed in favor of the [m]saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the [n]saints took possession of the kingdom.

23 “This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth and trample it down and crush it. 24 As for the (O)ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will [o]humble three kings. 25 And he will [p](P)speak against the (Q)Most High and (R)wear down the [q]saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make (S)alterations in times and in law; and [r]they will be handed over to him for a [s](T)time, [t]times, and half a [u]time. 26 But the court will [v]convene for judgment, and his dominion will be (U)taken away, [w]annihilated and destroyed [x]forever. 27 Then the [y](V)sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the [z]saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an (W)everlasting kingdom, and all the empires will (X)serve and obey Him.’

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:14 Or sovereignty
  2. Daniel 7:14 Lit tongues
  3. Daniel 7:15 Lit its sheath
  4. Daniel 7:15 Lit of my head
  5. Daniel 7:16 Lit what was certain
  6. Daniel 7:18 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  7. Daniel 7:18 Lit and unto the age of the ages
  8. Daniel 7:19 Lit truth concerning
  9. Daniel 7:19 Lit of them
  10. Daniel 7:20 Lit its appearance was larger
  11. Daniel 7:21 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  12. Daniel 7:22 Lit given for
  13. Daniel 7:22 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  14. Daniel 7:22 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  15. Daniel 7:24 Or humiliate
  16. Daniel 7:25 Lit speak words
  17. Daniel 7:25 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  18. Daniel 7:25 I.e., the saints
  19. Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
  20. Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
  21. Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
  22. Daniel 7:26 Lit take its place
  23. Daniel 7:26 Lit to annihilate and to destroy
  24. Daniel 7:26 Lit to the end
  25. Daniel 7:27 Or kingdom
  26. Daniel 7:27 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people

14 
“And to Him (the Messiah) was given dominion (supreme authority),
Glory and a kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations, and speakers of every language
Should serve and worship Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed.(A)

The Vision Interpreted

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed and anxious within me, and the visions [that appeared] in my mind kept alarming (agitating) me. 16 I approached one of those who stood by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. So he told me and explained to me the interpretation of the things: 17 ‘These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18 But the [a]saints (believers) of the Most High [God] will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.’(B)

19 “Then I wished to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, extremely dreadful, with teeth of iron and claws of bronze, which devoured, crushed and trampled down what was left with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns (kings) that were on its head and the other horn which came up later, and before which three of the horns fell, specifically, that horn which had eyes and a mouth that boasted great things and which looked larger than the others. 21 As I kept looking, that horn was making war with the saints (believers) and overpowering them(C) 22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Most High [God], and the time arrived when the saints (believers) took possession of the kingdom.

23 “Thus the angel said, ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down, and crush it. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the former ones, and he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak words against the Most High [God] and wear down the saints of the Most High, and he will intend to change the times and the law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, [two] times, and half a time [three and one-half years].(D) 26 But the court [of the Most High] will sit in judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, [first to be] consumed [gradually] and [then] to be destroyed forever. 27 Then the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints (believers) of the Most High; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:18 Some scholars believe the word “saints” in this chapter refers only to Jewish believers; others view “saints” as inclusive.

14 He was given authority,(A) glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him.(B) His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom(C) is one that will never be destroyed.(D)

The Interpretation of the Dream

15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.(E) 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(F) of these things: 17 ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy people(G) of the Most High will receive the kingdom(H) and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’(I)

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(J) 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.(K) 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,(L) 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.(M)

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.(N) 24 The ten horns(O) 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(P) and oppress his holy people(Q) and try to change the set times(R) and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.[a](S)

26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed(T) forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms(U) under heaven will be handed over to the holy people(V) of the Most High.(W) His kingdom will be an everlasting(X) kingdom, and all rulers will worship(Y) and obey him.’

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:25 Or for a year, two years and half a year

14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

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