7 Previously, in Babylonian King Belshatstsar’s first year, Daniel had seen a dream and visions in his mind while lying on his bed. Then he wrote the dream down and gave a summary of it. 2 He explained:

In my vision at night I was looking, and suddenly, the four winds were stirring up the massive ocean, 3 and four huge creatures, each one different from the other, were coming up out of it.[ref]

• 4 The first one was like a lion but had the wings of an eagle. But as I watched, its wings were torn off, and it was lifted up and made to stand on two feet like a man, and then it was given a human mind.[ref]
• 5 The second creature resembled a bear with one arm raised. It was chomping on three ribs and it was told to go and gorge itself on more meat.
• 6 Next I saw another creature that resembled a leopard, but with four wings (like birds’ wings) attached to its back, and with four heads. It was given the authority to rule people.
• 7 The final creature that I saw in the vision was dreadful and terrifying. It was extremely strong with large iron teeth and it was devouring things then trampling and crushing the remainder. Another difference from the other creatures was that it had ten horns on its head.[ref]

8 While I was considering the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among the others and three of the first horns that were in its way got pulled completely out. Incredibly, this new had eyes like a person and a mouth that had a lot of incredible things to say.[ref]

9 I kept looking in the vision while thrones were set up and the ancient one took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow, and his hair looked like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were burning fire.[ref] 10 A river of fire was coming out and flowing along in front of him. Thousands upon thousands served him, and myriads upon myriads were standing in front of him. The court sat in session and the documents were opened.[ref]

11 Then I continued looking because of the amazing things that the horn was saying. I kept looking until that final creature was killed and its body destroyed in the fire. 12 As for the other creatures, their authority to rule was taken away, but an extension of life was given to them for a season and a time.

13 I was looking in the visions of the night, and suddenly, someone like a human male was coming with the clouds, and he came to the ancient one and was presented to him.[ref] 14 He was given authority to rule and splendour and a kingdom, so that all the peoples, nations, and ethnic groups will serve him. His authority will never end, and his kingdom will never be destroyed.[ref]