23“In the latter period of their rule,
         When the transgressors have run their course,
         A king will arise,
         Insolent and skilled in intrigue.

24“His power will be mighty, but not by his own power,
         And he will destroy to an extraordinary degree
         And prosper and perform his will;
         He will destroy mighty men and the holy people.

25“And through his shrewdness
         He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence;
         And he will magnify himself in his heart,
         And he will destroy many while they are at ease.
         He will even oppose the Prince of princes,
         But he will be broken without human agency.

26“The vision of the evenings and mornings
         Which has been told is true;
         But keep the vision secret,
         For it pertains to many days in the future.”

      27Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king’s business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it.

NASB ©1995