First ReadingDaniel 7:15-27
From the Book of Daniel
15“As for me, Daniel,my spirit was grieved within my body,and the visions of my head troubled me.16I came near to one of those who stood by,and asked him the truth concerning all this.
“So he told me,and made me know the interpretation of the things.17‘These great animals,which are four, are four kings,who will arise out of the earth.18But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom,and possess the kingdom forever,even forever and ever.’
19“Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal,which was different from all of them,exceedingly terrible,whose teeth were of iron,and its nails of bronze;which devoured, broke in pieces,and stamped the residue with its feet;20and concerning the ten horns that were on its head,and the other horn which came up,and before which three fell,even that horn that had eyes,and a mouth that spoke great things,whose look was more stout than its fellows.21I saw, and the same horn made war with the saintsand prevailed against them22until the Ancient of Days came,and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High,and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
23“So he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth,which will be different from all the kingdoms,and will devour the whole earth,and will tread it down,and break it in pieces.24As for the ten horns,ten kings will arise out of this kingdom.Another will arise after them;and he will be different from the former,and he will put down three kings.25He will speak words against the Most High,and will wear out the saints of the Most High.He will plan to change the times and the law;and they will be given into his hand until a timeand times and half a time.
26“‘But the judgment will be set,and they will take away his dominion,to consume and to destroy it to the end.27The kingdom and the dominion,and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky,will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,and all dominions will serve and obey him.’