12. The authority and rule of the other animals had been taken from them. But they were permitted to live for a certain period of time.
13. “In my vision at night I looked, and there in front of me was someone who looked like a human being. He was coming on the clouds in the sky. He came up to the Ancient King, and the King’s servants brought him before the King.
14. “The one who looked like a human being was given authority, glory, and complete ruling power. People from every nation and language group will serve him. His rule will last forever. His kingdom will continue forever. It will never be destroyed.
15. “I, Daniel, was confused and worried. The visions that went through my mind bothered me.
16. I went to someone who was standing there and asked him what all this meant. So he explained it to me.
17. He said, ‘The four great animals are four kingdoms that will come from the earth.
18. But God’s holy people will receive the kingdom, and they will have the kingdom forever and ever.’
19. “Then I wanted to know what the fourth animal was and what it meant. The fourth animal was different from all the other animals. It was very terrible and had iron teeth and bronze claws. It was the animal that crushed and ate its victims and walked on whatever was left.