1. And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)
2. “Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.
3. Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.
4. After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.
5. “The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power.