‘These large beasts, which are four in number, represent four kings who will arise from the earth.

Then four large beasts came up from the sea; they were different from one another.

The horn that was broken and in whose place there arose four others stands for four kingdoms that will arise from his nation, though they will not have his strength.

“After these things, as I was watching, another beast like a leopard appeared, with four bird-like wings on its back. This beast had four heads, and ruling authority was given to it.

The male goat acted even more arrogantly. But no sooner had the large horn become strong than it was broken, and there arose four conspicuous horns in its place, extending toward the four winds of the sky.

Daniel explained: “I was watching in my vision during the night as the four winds of the sky were stirring up the great sea.

Now as for these four young men, God endowed them with knowledge and skill in all sorts of literature and wisdom – and Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

He answered, “But I see four men, untied and walking around in the midst of the fire! No harm has come to them! And the appearance of the fourth is like that of a god!”

Shortly after his rise to power, his kingdom will be broken up and distributed toward the four winds of the sky – but not to his posterity or with the authority he exercised, for his kingdom will be uprooted and distributed to others besides these.

As it turned out, among these young men were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was beside the great river, the Tigris.