17 “The four beasts are four earthly kingdoms.
18 But God Most High will give his kingdom to his chosen ones, and it will be theirs for ever and ever.”
19 I wanted to know more about the fourth beast, because it was so different and much more terrifying than the others. What was the meaning of its iron teeth and bronze claws and of its feet that smashed what the teeth and claws had not ground and crushed?
20 I also wanted to know more about all ten of those horns on its head. I especially wanted to know more about the one that took the place of three of the others—the horn that had eyes and spoke with arrogance and seemed greater than the others.
21 While I was looking, this horn attacked God's chosen ones and was winning the battle.
22 Then God Most High, the Eternal God, came and judged in favour of his chosen ones, because the time had arrived for them to be given the kingdom.
23 Then I was toldby the one standing there:“The fourth beastwill be a fourth kingdomto appear on earth.It will be differentfrom all the others—it will trample the earthand crush it to pieces.