36 That was the dream, and now I'll tell you what it means.
37 Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings, and God has highly honoured you with power
38 over all humans, animals, and birds. You are the head of gold.
39 After you are gone, another kingdom will rule, but it won't be as strong. Then it will be followed by a kingdom of bronze that will rule the whole world.
40 Next, a kingdom of iron will come to power, crushing and shattering everything.
41-42 This fourth kingdom will be divided—it will be both strong and brittle, just as you saw that the feet and toes were a mixture of iron and clay.
43 This kingdom will be the result of a marriage between kingdoms, but it will crumble, just as iron and clay don't stick together.