I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen; around his waist was a belt made of gold from Upaz.

I looked up and saw a ram with two horns standing at the canal. Its two horns were both long, but one was longer than the other. The longer one was coming up after the shorter one.

But he responded to Daniel, “I fear my master the king. He is the one who has decided your food and drink. What would happen if he saw that you looked malnourished in comparison to the other young men your age? If that happened, you would endanger my life with the king!”

Listen attentively, my God, and hear! Open your eyes and look on our desolated ruins and the city called by your name. For it is not because of our own righteous deeds that we are praying to you, but because your compassion is abundant.

But at the end of the appointed time I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven, and my sanity returned to me. I extolled the Most High, and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever. For his authority is an everlasting authority, and his kingdom extends from one generation to the next.

I, Daniel, watched as two others stood there, one on each side of the river.

While I was watching, that horn began to wage war against the holy ones and was defeating them,

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!”

“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.

You were watching as a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its iron and clay feet, breaking them in pieces.

“Then I kept on watching because of the arrogant words of the horn that was speaking. I was watching until the beast was killed and its body destroyed and thrown into the flaming fire.

So a decree went out, and the wise men were about to be executed. They also sought Daniel and his friends so that they could be executed.

“You, O king, were watching as a great statue – one of impressive size and extraordinary brightness – was standing before you. Its appearance caused alarm.

In this vision I saw myself in Susa the citadel, which is located in the province of Elam. In the vision I saw myself at the Ulai Canal.

At the end of the ten days their appearance was better and their bodies were healthier than all the young men who had been eating the royal delicacies.

While I was watching in my mind’s visions on my bed, a holy sentinel came down from heaven.

While I, Daniel, was watching the vision, I sought to understand it. Now one who appeared to be a man was standing before me.

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

Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again and strengthened me.

“While I was watching, thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His attire was white like snow; the hair of his head was like lamb’s wool. His throne was ablaze with fire and its wheels were all aflame.