19 Lord, hear us. Lord, forgive us. Lord, listen to us, and act! In order that everyone will know that you are God, do not delay! This city and these people are yours.”
Gabriel Explains the Prophecy
20 I went on praying, confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel and pleading with the Lord my God to restore his holy Temple.
21 While I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came flying down to where I was. It was the time for the evening sacrifice to be offered.
22 He explained, “Daniel, I have come here to help you understand the prophecy.
23 When you began to plead with God, he answered you. He loves you, and so I have come to tell you the answer. Now pay attention while I explain the vision.
24 “Seven times seventy years is the length of time God has set for freeing your people and your holy city from sin and evil. Sin will be forgiven and eternal justice established, so that the vision and the prophecy will come true, and the holy Temple s 9.24: Temple; or altar. will be rededicated.
25 Note this and understand it: From the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until God's chosen leader comes, seven times seven years will pass. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, and will stand for seven times sixty-two years, but this will be a time of troubles.
26 And at the end of that time God's chosen leader will be killed unjustly. t 9.26: One ancient translation unjustly; Hebrew unclear. The city and the Temple will be destroyed by the invading army of a powerful ruler. The end will come like a flood, bringing the war and destruction which God has prepared.
27 9.27: Dan 11.31; 12.11; 1Ma 1.44-50,54; Mat 24.15; Mrk 13.14. That ruler will have a firm agreement with many people for seven years, and when half this time is past, he will put an end to sacrifices and offerings. The Awful Horror u 9.27: the awful horror: A pagan image set up in the Jerusalem Temple by foreign conquerors (see 1Ma 1.54-61). will be placed on the highest point of the Temple and will remain there until the one who put it there meets the end which God has prepared for him.”
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