1 and in the first year of Darius the Mede I stood to strengthen him and be his refuge.
2 “Now I shall tell you the truth.“Three kings of Persia are yet to appear; and a fourth shall acquire the greatest riches of all. Strengthened by his riches, he shall stir up all kingdoms, even that of Greece.
3 But a powerful king shall appear and rule with great might, doing as he wills.
4 No sooner shall he appear than his kingdom shall be broken and divided in four directions under heaven; but not among his descendants or in keeping with his mighty rule, for his kingdom shall be torn to pieces and belong to others.
5 “The king of the south shall grow strong, but one of his princes shall grow stronger still and govern a domain greater than his.
6 After some years they shall become allies: the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to carry out the alliance. But she shall not retain power: and his offspring shall not survive, and she shall be given up, together with those who brought her, her son, and her supporter in due time.