16 The one who comes to attack will do whatever he wants; no one will be able to oppose him. He will take his place in the beautiful country, and he will hand out destruction.
17 He will decide to occupy his entire kingdom by force. He will make an agreement with him and will give him a wife, intending to destroy him, but it won’t succeed and it won’t happen.
18 He will turn his face to the coastlands, capturing many people. A commander will put an end to his disgrace, even though he won’t repay that disgrace.
19 Then he will turn his attention to the walled fortresses of his own country but will stumble, fall, and disappear.
20 “In his place one will arise who will send his agent to exact a kingdom’s glory, but in a few days he will be broken, though not by anger and not by war.
21 A worthless person will arise in his place. Royal majesty will not have been given to him, but he will come in a time of security and seize the kingdom by deceitful means.
22 Forces will be completely swept away and broken before him. The same is true for the leader of the covenant.