1Und ihm stand ich bei im ersten Jahr des Darius des Meders, um ihm zu helfen und ihn zu stärken.2Und nun will ich dir kundtun, was gewiss geschehen soll. Siehe, es werden noch drei Könige in Persien aufstehen, der vierte aber wird größeren Reichtum haben als alle andern. Und wenn er in seinem Reichtum am mächtigsten ist, wird er alles gegen das Königreich Griechenland aufbieten. (Dan 10,21)3Danach wird ein mächtiger König aufstehen und mit großer Macht herrschen, und was er will, wird er ausrichten. (Dan 8,21)4Aber wenn er emporgekommen ist, wird sein Reich zerbrechen und in die vier Winde des Himmels zerteilt werden, nicht auf seine Nachkommen, auch nicht mit solcher Macht, wie er sie hatte; denn sein Reich wird zerstört und Fremden zuteilwerden. (Dan 8,8; Dan 8,22)5Und der König des Südens wird erstarken; aber gegen ihn wird einer seiner Fürsten noch stärker werden und herrschen; dessen Herrschaft wird groß sein.6Nach einigen Jahren aber werden sie sich miteinander befreunden. Und die Tochter des Königs des Südens wird kommen zum König des Nordens, um ihr Bündnis zu festigen. Aber sie wird keinen Erfolg haben, und auch sein Nachkomme wird nicht bleiben. Und sie wird preisgegeben werden samt ihrem Gefolge, ihrem Kind und dem, der sie eine Zeit lang mächtig gemacht hat.7Es wird aber statt seiner ein Spross aus ihrem Stamm emporkommen; der wird gegen die Heeresmacht des Königs des Nordens ziehen und in seine Festung eindringen und wird an ihnen seine Macht zeigen.8Auch wird er ihre Götter samt den Bildern und den kostbaren Geräten aus Silber und Gold wegführen nach Ägypten und einige Jahre von dem König des Nordens ablassen.9Aber der wird eindringen in das Reich des Königs des Südens, jedoch dann wieder in sein Land zurückkehren.10Aber seine Söhne werden sich rüsten und große Heere zusammenbringen; und der eine wird kommen und wie eine Flut heranbrausen. Dann wird er wiederum rüsten zum Kampf gegen seine Festung.11Dann wird der König des Südens ergrimmen und ausziehen und mit dem König des Nordens kämpfen. Der wird ein großes Heer zusammenbringen, aber das Heer wird in die Hand des andern gegeben12und vernichtet werden. Daraufhin wird sich sein Herz überheben, und er wird viele Tausende erschlagen; aber er wird nicht mächtig bleiben.13Denn der König des Nordens wird wiederum ein Heer zusammenbringen, größer als das vorige war; und nach einigen Jahren wird er ausziehen mit großer Heeresmacht und vielem Tross.14Und zur selben Zeit werden viele aufstehen gegen den König des Südens. Auch werden sich Gewalttätige aus deinem Volk erheben und so eine Weissagung erfüllen, aber sie werden fallen.15Und der König des Nordens wird kommen und einen Wall aufschütten und eine feste Stadt einnehmen. Und die Heere des Südens können’s nicht verhindern, auch sein bestes Kriegsvolk nicht, und keiner kann widerstehen;16sondern der gegen ihn zieht, wird tun, was ihm gut dünkt, und niemand wird ihm widerstehen können. Er wird auch in das herrliche Land kommen, und Verderben ist in seiner Hand. (Dan 8,9)17Und er wird seinen Sinn darauf richten, dass er mit Macht sein ganzes Königreich bekomme. Und er wird sich mit ihm vertragen und ihm eine Frau geben, um ihn zu verderben. Aber es wird nicht gelingen, und es wird nichts daraus werden. (Jes 7,7)18Danach wird er sich gegen die Inseln wenden und viele von ihnen gewinnen. Aber ein Mächtiger wird ihn zwingen, mit Schmähen aufzuhören, und wird ihm seine Schmähungen heimzahlen.19Danach wird er sich wenden gegen die Festungen seines eigenen Landes; er wird straucheln und fallen, dass man ihn nirgends finden wird.20Und an seiner statt wird einer emporkommen, der wird einen Steuereinnehmer das herrliche Land durchziehen lassen; doch nach einigen Jahren wird er umgebracht werden, aber weder öffentlich noch im Kampf.21Dann wird an seiner statt emporkommen ein verächtlicher Mensch, dem die Ehre des Thrones nicht zugedacht war. Der wird unerwartet kommen und sich durch Ränke die Herrschaft erschleichen. (Dan 8,23)22Und heranflutende Heere werden vor ihm hinweggeschwemmt und vernichtet werden, dazu auch der Fürst des Bundes.23Denn nachdem er sich mit ihm angefreundet hat, wird er listig handeln und heraufziehen und mit wenigen Leuten Macht gewinnen.24Und unerwartet wird er in die besten Städte des Landes kommen und wird tun, was weder seine Väter noch seine Vorväter getan haben, und Raub, Beute und Güter an seine Leute verteilen; er wird nach den allerfestesten Städten trachten, aber nur für eine befristete Zeit.25Und er wird seine Macht und seinen Mut gegen den König des Südens aufbieten mit einem großen Heer. Dann wird der König des Südens sich aufmachen zum Kampf mit einem großen, mächtigen Heer, aber er wird nicht bestehen; denn es werden Pläne gegen ihn geschmiedet.26Und die seine Speise essen, die werden mit ihm brechen, sein Heer wird sich auflösen und viele werden erschlagen.27Und beide Könige werden darauf bedacht sein, wie sie einander schaden können, und sie werden an einem Tisch verlogen miteinander reden. Es wird ihnen aber nicht gelingen, denn das Ende ist noch auf eine andere Zeit bestimmt.28Danach wird er wieder heimziehen mit großer Beute und dabei seinen Sinn richten gegen den heiligen Bund; er wird es ausführen und in sein Land zurückkehren.29Und nach einer bestimmten Zeit wird er wieder nach Süden ziehen; aber es wird beim zweiten Mal nicht so sein wie beim ersten Mal.30Denn es werden Schiffe aus Kittim[1] gegen ihn kommen, sodass er verzagen wird und umkehren muss. Dann wird er gegen den heiligen Bund ergrimmen und danach handeln und sich denen zuwenden, die den heiligen Bund verlassen.31Und seine Heere werden kommen und Heiligtum und Burg entweihen und das tägliche Opfer abschaffen und das Gräuelbild der Verwüstung aufstellen. (Dan 9,27)32Und er wird mit Ränken alle zum Abfall bringen, die den Bund übertreten. Aber die vom Volk, die ihren Gott kennen, werden stark sein und danach handeln.33Und die Verständigen im Volk werden vielen zur Einsicht verhelfen; darüber werden sie verfolgt werden mit Schwert, Feuer, Gefängnis und Raub eine Zeit lang. (Dan 12,3)34Während sie verfolgt werden, wird ihnen eine kleine Hilfe zuteilwerden; aber viele werden sich nicht aufrichtig zu ihnen halten.35Und einige von den Verständigen werden fallen, damit sie bewährt, rein und lauter werden für die Zeit des Endes; denn es dauert noch bis zur bestimmten Zeit.36Und der König wird tun, was er will, und wird sich überheben und großtun gegen jeden Gott. Und gegen den Gott aller Götter wird er Ungeheuerliches reden, und es wird ihm gelingen, bis der Zorn vollendet ist; denn es muss geschehen, was beschlossen ist. (Dan 7,8; Dan 7,25; Offb 13,5)37Auch die Götter seiner Väter wird er nicht achten; er wird weder den Lieblingsgott der Frauen noch einen andern Gott achten; denn er wird sich über alles erheben. (Hes 8,14)38Dagegen wird er den Gott der Festungen verehren; einen Gott, von dem seine Väter nichts gewusst haben, wird er ehren mit Gold, Silber, Edelsteinen und Kostbarkeiten.39Und er wird mit einem fremden Gott gegen die starken Festungen vorgehen. Denen, die ihn erwählen, wird er große Ehre antun und sie zu Herren machen über viele und ihnen Land zum Lohn austeilen.40Zur Zeit des Endes aber wird sich der König des Südens mit ihm messen, und der König des Nordens wird mit Wagen, Reitern und vielen Schiffen gegen ihn anstürmen und wird in die Länder einfallen und sie überschwemmen und überfluten.41Und er wird in das herrliche Land einfallen und viele werden umkommen. Es werden aber seiner Hand entrinnen Edom, Moab und die Hauptleute der Ammoniter.42Und er wird seine Hand ausstrecken nach den Ländern und Ägypten wird ihm nicht entrinnen,43sondern er wird Herr werden über die goldenen und silbernen Schätze und über alle Kostbarkeiten Ägyptens; Libyer und Kuschiter werden ihm folgen müssen.44Es werden ihn aber Gerüchte erschrecken aus Osten und Norden, und er wird mit großem Grimm ausziehen, um viele zu vertilgen und zu verderben.45Und er wird seine prächtigen Zelte aufschlagen zwischen dem Meer und dem herrlichen, heiligen Berg; aber es wird mit ihm ein Ende nehmen und niemand wird ihm helfen. (Dan 8,25)
Daniel 11
English Standard Version
The Kings of the South and the North
1“And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him. (Dan 9,1)2“And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. (Dan 10,21)3Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills. (Dan 7,6; Dan 8,4; Dan 8,5; Dan 8,21; Dan 11,16; Dan 11,36)4And as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these. (Ps 109,13; Dan 7,2; Dan 8,8; Dan 8,22)5“Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he and shall rule, and his authority shall be a great authority. (Dan 7,6)6After some years they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the strength of her arm, and he and his arm shall not endure, but she shall be given up, and her attendants, he who fathered her, and he who supported[1] her in those times. (Dan 11,23)7“And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail. (Dan 11,10; Dan 11,19; Dan 11,38)8He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold, and for some years he shall refrain from attacking the king of the north. (Dan 11,43)9Then the latter shall come into the realm of the king of the south but shall return to his own land.10“His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress. (Jes 8,8; Dan 11,7; Dan 11,26; Dan 11,40)11Then the king of the south, moved with rage, shall come out and fight against the king of the north. And he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand. (Dan 8,7; Dan 11,13)12And when the multitude is taken away, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail.13For the king of the north shall again raise a multitude, greater than the first. And after some years[2] he shall come on with a great army and abundant supplies. (Dan 4,16; Dan 11,11)14“In those times many shall rise against the king of the south, and the violent among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail. (Dan 11,19; Dan 11,33)15Then the king of the north shall come and throw up siegeworks and take a well-fortified city. And the forces of the south shall not stand, or even his best troops, for there shall be no strength to stand. (Hes 4,2)16But he who comes against him shall do as he wills, and none shall stand before him. And he shall stand in the glorious land, with destruction in his hand. (Jos 10,8; Dan 8,9; Dan 11,3; Dan 11,36; Dan 11,41)17He shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall bring terms of an agreement and perform them. He shall give him the daughter of women to destroy the kingdom,[3] but it shall not stand or be to his advantage. (Jer 42,15)18Afterward he shall turn his face to the coastlands and shall capture many of them, but a commander shall put an end to his insolence. Indeed,[4] he shall turn his insolence back upon him. (Hos 12,14)19Then he shall turn his face back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found. (Hi 20,8; Ps 37,36; Jer 46,6; Hes 26,21; Dan 11,7; Dan 11,10; Dan 11,38)20“Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle. (Jes 60,17; Sach 9,8)21In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. (Dan 11,24; Dan 11,34)22Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant. (Jer 46,7; Dan 11,10)23And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people.24Without warning he shall come into the richest parts[5] of the province, and he shall do what neither his fathers nor his fathers’ fathers have done, scattering among them plunder, spoil, and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time. (1Mo 27,28; 1Mo 27,39; Dan 11,21)25And he shall stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him. (Dan 8,9)26Even those who eat his food shall break him. His army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. (Dan 11,10; Dan 11,40)27And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for the end is yet to be at the time appointed. (Dan 11,35)28And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.29“At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before.30For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. (1Mo 10,4; 4Mo 24,24; Dan 11,28)31Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. (Dan 8,13; Dan 12,11; Mt 24,15; Mk 13,14)32He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.33And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. (Dan 12,3; Dan 12,10)34When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery,35and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. (Dan 11,27; Dan 11,40; Mal 3,3; Offb 7,14)36“And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. (5Mo 10,17; Jes 10,25; Dan 7,25; Dan 8,12; Dan 9,27; Dan 11,3; Dan 11,16; 2Thess 2,4; Offb 13,5)37He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all. (Dan 11,36)38He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. (Joe 3,5)39He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price.[6] (Kla 5,2; Kla 5,6)40“At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack[7] him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through. (Dan 11,10; Dan 11,26; Dan 11,27; Dan 11,35; Sach 9,14)41He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites. (Jes 11,14; Dan 8,9; Dan 11,16)42He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.43He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train. (2Chr 12,3; Hes 30,4; Nah 3,9)44But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction.45And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.
Daniel 11
New International Version
1And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)
The kings of the south and the north
2‘Now then, I tell you the truth: three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.3Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.4After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parcelled out towards the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.5‘The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power.6After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power[1] will not last. In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father[2] and the one who supported her.7‘Someone from within her family will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious.8He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone.9Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country.10His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress.11‘Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated.12When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant.13For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.14‘In those times many will rise against the king of the South. Those who are violent among your own people will rebel in fulfilment of the vision, but without success.15Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand.16The invader will do as he pleases; no-one will be able to stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it.17He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans[3] will not succeed or help him.18Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back on him.19After this, he will turn back towards the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more.20‘His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendour. In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.21‘He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honour of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.22Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.23After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.24When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses – but only for a time.25‘With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him.26Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle.27The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.28The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.29‘At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before.30Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favour to those who forsake the holy covenant.31‘His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.32With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.33‘Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.34When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them.35Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
The king who exalts himself
36‘The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.37He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.38Instead of them, he will honour a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honour with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.39He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honour those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.[4]40‘At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood.41He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand.42He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape.43He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites[5] in submission.44But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many.45He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at[6] the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no-one will help him.
Daniel 11
King James Version
1Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.2And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.3And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.4And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.5And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.6And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king' daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.7But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:8And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.9So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.10But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.11And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.12And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it .13For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.14And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.15So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.16But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.17He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side , neither be for him.18After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.19Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.20Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.21And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.22And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.23And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.24He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers'fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea , and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.25And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.26Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.27And both these kings'hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.28Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits , and return to his own land.29At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.30For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.31And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice , and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.32And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits .33And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.34Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.35And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.36And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.37Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.38But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.39Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.40And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.41He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.42He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.43But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.44But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.45And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Daniel 11
La Bible du Semeur
1Moi, de mon côté, je me suis tenu auprès de lui, dans la première année de Darius le Mède[1], pour le soutenir et l’appuyer. (Dan 6,1)
La guerre des rois
2Maintenant donc, je vais te faire connaître la vérité: Voici: il y aura encore trois rois de Perse[2]. Ils seront suivis d’un quatrième qui amassera plus de richesses que tous ses prédécesseurs. Lorsqu’il sera au faîte de sa puissance, grâce à sa richesse, il soulèvera tout le monde contre le royaume de Grèce[3].3Mais là-bas s’élèvera un roi valeureux qui étendra sa domination sur un vaste empire et fera ce qu’il voudra[4].4Mais à peine aura-t-il assis son pouvoir, que son royaume sera brisé et partagé aux quatre coins de l’horizon; il ne reviendra pas à ses descendants, mais il lui sera arraché et réparti entre d’autres qu’eux, et il n’aura pas la même puissance[5]. (Dan 8,8)5Le roi du Midi s’affermira[6], mais l’un des chefs de son royaume deviendra encore plus fort que lui[7]: il exercera une domination plus grande que la sienne.6Quelques années plus tard, ils s’allieront l’un avec l’autre, et la fille du roi du Midi se rendra auprès du roi du Nord pour établir des accords. Elle ne conservera pas sa force et sa postérité ne subsistera pas. Elle sera livrée à la mort avec ceux qui l’avaient amenée, de même que son père et celui qui l’avait soutenue pendant quelque temps[8].7Mais un membre de sa famille se lèvera et prendra la place de son père. Il marchera contre l’armée du roi du Nord, investira sa forteresse, l’attaquera et remportera la victoire[9].8Il emportera même comme butin en Egypte leurs idoles et leurs statues de métal fondu avec leurs objets précieux d’or et d’argent consacrés à ces divinités. Pendant quelques années, il se tiendra loin du roi du Nord.9Par la suite, celui-ci envahira le royaume du roi du Midi, puis il retournera dans son pays.10Ses fils partiront en guerre et mobiliseront une armée très nombreuse qui submergera tout sur son passage, ils inonderont le pays. Sur le chemin du retour, ils attaqueront la forteresse[10].11C’est alors que le roi du Midi, exaspéré, lancera une offensive contre le roi du Nord, il mettra sur pied une grande armée et il aura la victoire sur les troupes adverses[11].12Une fois ces troupes vaincues, il s’enorgueillira et fera tomber des milliers d’hommes, mais ses triomphes seront de courte durée.13Car le roi du Nord reviendra en mobilisant de nouveau des troupes, plus nombreuses que les premières, et, après quelques années, il retournera en Egypte avec une immense armée et beaucoup de matériel de guerre[12].14A ce moment-là, beaucoup se soulèveront contre le roi du Midi[13], des hommes violents de ton peuple, Daniel, se soulèveront contre lui pour réaliser la prophétie, mais ils échoueront.15Le roi du Nord viendra donc, il dressera des remblais de siège contre une ville fortifiée[14] et s’en emparera. Les armées du roi du Midi ne résisteront pas au choc, même sa troupe d’élite n’aura pas la force de tenir devant lui.16L’envahisseur avancera à sa guise et personne ne pourra lui résister. Il prendra ensuite position dans le Pays magnifique[15] où il sèmera la destruction. (Dan 8,9; Dan 11,41)17Il entreprendra alors de venir avec toutes les forces de son royaume et il conclura une alliance avec le roi du Midi. Il lui donnera sa fille en mariage dans le but de détruire son royaume, mais ce plan ne réussira pas et ce royaume ne lui appartiendra pas[16].18Alors il se tournera du côté des îles et s’emparera de beaucoup d’entre elles[17], mais un général mettra un terme à son arrogance injurieuse sans que le roi du Nord puisse le lui rendre.19Ensuite, il reviendra s’occuper des citadelles de son propre pays, mais il trébuchera et tombera, et c’en sera fait de lui[18].20Son successeur enverra un exacteur dans le lieu[19] qui est la gloire du royaume. Peu de temps après, ce roi sera frappé à son tour, mais ce ne sera pas dans un mouvement de colère ni au cours d’une guerre[20].
Le temps de la souffrance d’Israël
21Un homme méprisable lui succédera sans avoir reçu la dignité royale; il surviendra en temps de paix et s’emparera de la royauté à force d’intrigues[21].22Les forces adverses qui débordaient comme une inondation seront submergées et brisées par lui, il tuera aussi un chef du peuple de l’alliance[22].23En dépit de l’accord conclu avec lui, il agira avec ruse, il l’attaquera et remportera la victoire avec une poignée d’hommes.24En temps de paix, il envahira les plus riches régions de la province et accomplira ce qu’aucun de ses ancêtres n’avait fait: il pillera le pays et distribuera largement à ses partisans ce qu’il aura pillé, le butin et les richesses dont il se sera emparé; il fera des plans d’attaque contre les forteresses, mais tout cela ne durera qu’un temps.25Rassemblant toutes ses forces et son courage, il lancera une attaque contre le roi du Midi avec une grande armée. Le roi du Midi le combattra avec une armée très puissante et nombreuse, mais il ne parviendra pas à résister à son adversaire, à cause de complots dirigés contre lui[23].26Ses familiers causeront sa perte; son armée sera écrasée et beaucoup de ses soldats tomberont, frappés à mort.27Quant aux deux rois[24], ils chercheront secrètement à se nuire mutuellement; ainsi, ils s’assiéront à la même table, pour se duper l’un l’autre par des mensonges. Mais leurs tractations ne réussiront pas, car la fin doit venir au temps fixé.28Le roi du Nord retournera dans son pays, chargé de grandes richesses, et avec au cœur des intentions hostiles contre la sainte alliance conclue par Dieu avec son peuple. Il les exécutera avant de rentrer dans son pays[25].29Au temps fixé, il se mettra de nouveau en campagne contre le royaume du Midi, mais cette expédition ne se passera pas comme la première.30Des navires, venant des côtes à l’ouest de la Méditerranée, viendront s’opposer à lui et le décourageront[26]. Il s’emportera de nouveau et agira contre l’alliance sainte, et il s’accordera de nouveau avec ceux qui la trahiront.31Certaines de ses troupes prendront position sur son ordre, elles profaneront le sanctuaire et la citadelle, feront cesser le sacrifice perpétuel[27] et installeront la profanation abominable[28]. (2Mo 29,38; 4Mo 28,3; Dan 9,27; Dan 12,11)32Par ses intrigues, il corrompra ceux qui auront trahi l’alliance, mais le peuple de ceux qui connaissent leur Dieu agira avec courage.33Les hommes du peuple qui auront de la sagesse enseigneront un grand nombre, mais ils subiront l’épée, le feu, la prison et le pillage pendant des jours.34Pendant qu’ils seront ainsi livrés à la mort, ils recevront un peu d’aide, mais beaucoup de gens se rallieront hypocritement à eux.35Certains parmi les hommes qui auront de la sagesse tomberont afin d’être épurés, purifiés et blanchis à travers cette épreuve, en vue du temps de la fin, car la fin viendra au temps fixé.36Le roi agira à sa guise, il s’enorgueillira et s’élèvera au-dessus de tous les dieux; il proférera même des blasphèmes inouïs contre le Dieu des dieux et il parviendra à ses fins jusqu’à ce que la colère divine soit parvenue à son comble. Alors ce qui est décrété s’accomplira[29]. (2Thess 2,4)37Il n’aura de considération ni pour les dieux de ses ancêtres, ni pour la divinité chère aux femmes[30], ni pour aucun autre dieu, car il se placera au-dessus de tous. (Hes 8,14)38Au lieu de ceux-ci, il vénérera le dieu des forteresses, une divinité que n’auront pas connue ses ancêtres en lui offrant de l’or, de l’argent, des pierres précieuses et d’autres objets de valeur.39Il attaquera des forteresses, avec l’aide d’un dieu étranger: il comblera d’honneurs ceux qui accepteront ce dieu, il leur conférera le pouvoir sur un grand nombre et leur distribuera des terres en récompense.
La fin du persécuteur
40Au temps de la fin, le roi du Midi se heurtera contre lui. Comme un ouragan, le roi du Nord fondra sur celui du Midi avec ses chars, sa cavalerie et une flotte considérable; il pénétrera à l’intérieur des terres et, comme une inondation, il les submergera sur son passage.41Il envahira aussi le Pays magnifique[31] et de nombreux peuples succomberont. Quelques-uns échapperont à ses coups: les Edomites, les Moabites et l’élite des Ammonites. (Dan 8,9; Dan 11,16)42Il étendra sa domination sur différents pays, et l’Egypte elle-même ne lui échappera pas.43Il s’emparera des trésors d’or et d’argent et de tous les objets précieux de l’Egypte. Les Libyens et les Ethiopiens le suivront.44Mais, alarmé par des nouvelles venues de l’Orient et du Nord, il quittera le pays dans une grande colère, pour détruire et exterminer un grand nombre.45Il dressera les tentes royales entre les mers, sur la magnifique montagne sainte. Alors sa fin l’atteindra sans que personne vienne à son secours.