29. At the time appointed he shall come again to the south, but this time it shall not be as before.
30. When ships of the Kittim confront him, he shall lose heart and retreat. Then he shall rage against the holy covenant and take action; he shall again favor those who forsake the holy covenant.
31. Armed forces shall rise at his command and defile the sanctuary stronghold, abolishing the daily sacrifice and setting up the desolating abomination.
32. By his deceit he shall make some who were disloyal forsake the covenant; but those who remain loyal to their God shall take strong action.
33. Those with insight among the people shall instruct the many; though for a time the sword, flames, exile, and plunder will cause them to stumble.
34. When they stumble, they will be helped, but only a little; many shall join them, but out of treachery.
35. Some of those with insight shall stumble so that they may be tested, refined, and purified, until the end time which is still appointed to come.
36. “The king shall do as he wills, exalting himself and making himself greater than any god; he shall utter dreadful blasphemies against the God of gods. He shall prosper only till the wrath is finished, for what is determined must take place.
37. He shall have no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one in whom women delight; for no god shall he have regard, because he shall make himself greater than all.