Daniel 12

1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

At that time Michael the great prince, the protector of your people, will stand up and there will be a time of trouble like never before, since nations first existed. But at that time your people will be saved, all whose names are written in the book.

2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Millions sleeping in the ground in death will awake, some to eternal life, and some to eternal shame and disgrace.

3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky; those who have shown many the right way to live will shine as bright as the stars forever and ever.

4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

But as for you, Daniel, keep this message secret, and seal the book closed until the time of the end. Many will search this way and that way, and knowledge will grow greater and greater.”

5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on the brink of the river on this side, and the other on the brink of the river on that side.

Then I, Daniel, noticed two others, each standing on opposite sides of the river.

6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

One of then asked the man dressed in linen who was above the river's waters, “How long before these outrageous things come to an end?”

7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth fear ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

The man dressed in linen, who was above the river's waters, lifted both hands to heaven made a solemn promise by the One who lives eternally. I heard him say, “It will last for a time, times, and half a time. When the scattering of the power of the holy people has come to an end, then all these things will also come to an end.”

8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?

I heard the answer, but I didn't understand it. So I asked, “My lord, what's the final result of all this?”

9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.

“Daniel, you can go on your way now,” he replied, “for this message is secret and kept sealed until the time of the end.

10 Many shall purify themselves; and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand: but they that be wise shall understand.

Many will be purified and cleansed and refined, but the wicked will go on being wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.

11 And from the time that the continual [burnt offering] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

From the time the continual ministry is stopped in order to set up the idolatry that causes devastation will be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

Blessed are those who patiently wait for and reach the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.

13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and shalt stand in thy lot, at the end of the days.

But as for you, go your way until your life ends, and then rest. You will rise to receive your reward at the end of time.”