1. “During the first year that Darius the Mede was king, I stood up to support Michael in his fight against the prince of Persia.
2. “Now then, Daniel, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will rule in Persia. Then a fourth king will come who will be much richer than all the other kings of Persia before him. He will use his riches to get power and turn everyone against the kingdom of Greece.
3. Then a very strong and powerful king will come who will rule with much power. He will do anything he wants.
4. Just as he comes to power, his kingdom will be broken up and scattered in all directions. It will not be divided among his descendants. And it will not be ruled in the same way because that kingdom will be pulled up and given to other people.
5. “The southern king will become strong, but then one of his commanders will defeat him. The commander will begin to rule, and he will be very powerful.