<t /><p class="bodytext">King Belshazzar<n id="1" /> prepared a great banquet<n id="2" /> for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking wine in front of<n id="3" /> them all.<n id="4" />

I looked up<n id="1" /> and saw a<n id="2" /> man<n id="3" /> clothed in linen;<n id="4" /> around his waist was a belt made of gold from Upaz.<n id="5" />

As for the rest of the beasts, their ruling authority had already been removed, though they were permitted to go on living<n id="1" /> for a time and a season.

What he will honor is a god of fortresses &#8211; a god his fathers did not acknowledge he will honor with gold, silver, valuable stones, and treasured commodities.

Then a powerful king<n id="1" /> will arise, exercising great authority and doing as he pleases.

Then<n id="1" /> a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees.<n id="2" />

Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again<n id="1" /> and strengthened me.

<p class="poetry">While I was watching in my mind&#8217;s visions<n id="1" /> on my bed,p> <p class="poetry">a holy sentinel<n id="2" /> came down from heaven.p>

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;Then<n id="1" /> a second beast appeared, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and there were three ribs<n id="2" /> in its mouth between its teeth.<n id="3" /> It was told,<n id="4" /> &#8216;Get up and devour much flesh!&#8217;p>

<p class="bodytext">While I was contemplating all this,<n id="1" /> a male goat<n id="2" /> was coming from the west over the surface of all the land<n id="3" /> without touching the ground. This goat had a conspicuous horn<n id="4" /> between its eyes.

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;The first one was like a lion with eagles&#8217; wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off and it was lifted up from the ground. It was made to stand on two feet like a human being, and a human mind<n id="1" /> was given to it.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="bodytext">The king told them, &#8220;I have had a dream,<n id="1" /> and I<n id="2" /> am anxious to understand the dream.&#8221;

Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised<n id="1" /> the God of heaven,

He will attack<n id="1" /> mighty fortresses, aided by<n id="2" /> a foreign deity. To those who recognize him he will grant considerable honor. He will place them in authority over many people, and he will parcel out land for a price.<n id="3" />p>

Toward the end of their rule, when rebellious acts<n id="1" /> are complete, a rash<n id="2" /> and deceitful<n id="3" /> king will arise.<n id="4" />

<t /><n id="1" /><p class="bodytext">In the third<n id="2" /> year of King Cyrus of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel (who was also called Belteshazzar). This message was true and concerned a great war.<n id="3" /> He understood the message and gained insight by the vision.p>

Then he will turn his attention<n id="1" /> to the coastal regions and will capture many of them. But a commander<n id="2" /> will bring his shameful conduct to a halt; in addition,<n id="3" /> he will make him pay for his shameful conduct.<n id="4" />

Therefore the palm of a hand was sent from him, and this writing was inscribed.p>

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;Then there will arise in his place a despicable person<n id="1" /> to whom the royal honor has not been rightfully conferred. He will come on the scene in a time of prosperity and will seize the kingdom through deceit.

To all the supervisors of the kingdom, the prefects, satraps, counselors, and governors it seemed like a good idea for a royal edict to be issued and an interdict to be enforced. For the next thirty days anyone who prays<n id="1" /> to any god or human other than you, O king, should be thrown into a den of lions.