22. Armies will be suddenly swept away in defeat before him; both they and a covenant leader will be destroyed.
23. After entering into an alliance with him, he will behave treacherously; he will ascend to power with only a small force.
24. In a time of prosperity for the most productive areas of the province he will come and accomplish what neither his fathers nor their fathers accomplished. He will distribute loot, spoils, and property to his followers, and he will devise plans against fortified cities, but not for long.
25. He will rouse his strength and enthusiasm against the king of the south with a large army. The king of the south will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to prevail because of the plans devised against him.
26. Those who share the king’s fine food will attempt to destroy him, and his army will be swept away; many will be killed in battle.
27. These two kings, their minds filled with evil intentions, will trade lies with one another at the same table. But it will not succeed, for there is still an end at the appointed time.
28. Then the king of the north will return to his own land with much property. His mind will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action, and then return to his own land.
29. At an appointed time he will again invade the south, but this latter visit will not turn out the way the former one did.
30. The ships of Kittim will come against him, leaving him disheartened. He will turn back and direct his indignation against the holy covenant. He will return and honor those who forsake the holy covenant.
31. His forces will rise up and profane the fortified sanctuary, stopping the daily sacrifice. In its place they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.
32. Then with smooth words he will defile those who have rejected the covenant. But the people who are loyal to their God will act valiantly.
33. These who are wise among the people will teach the masses. However, they will fall by the sword and by the flame, and they will be imprisoned and plundered for some time.
34. When they stumble, they will be granted some help. But many will unite with them deceitfully.
35. Even some of the wise will stumble, resulting in their refinement, purification, and cleansing until the time of the end, for it is still for the appointed time.
36. “Then the king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every deity and he will utter presumptuous things against the God of gods. He will succeed until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must occur.
37. He will not respect the gods of his fathers – not even the god loved by women. He will not respect any god; he will elevate himself above them all.