4. “The first was like a lion but had eagle’s wings. I continued watching until its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, set on its feet like a man, and given a human mind.
5. “Suddenly, another beast appeared, a second one, that looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up! Gorge yourself on flesh.’
6. “While I was watching, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back. It had four heads and was given authority to rule.
7. “While I was watching in the night visions, a fourth beast appeared, frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and it trampled with its feet whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had 10 horns.
8. “While I was considering the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. There were eyes in this horn like a man’s, and it had a mouth that spoke arrogantly.
9. “As I kept watching,thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat.His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of His head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire.
10. A river of fire was flowing,coming out from His presence.Thousands upon thousands served Him;ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.The court was convened, and the books were opened.
11. “I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire.
12. As for the rest of the beasts, their authority to rule was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time.
13. I continued watching in the night visions,and I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Daysand was escorted before Him.
14. He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom;so that those of every people,nation, and language should serve Him.His dominion is an everlasting dominionthat will not pass away,and His kingdom is onethat will not be destroyed.
15. “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me, and the visions in my mind terrified me.
16. I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things: