Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In the first year of King Darius' reign over the Chaldean kingdom, a descendant of the Medes, I Daniel spent time studying ancient texts and came across a passage from the prophet Jeremiah that spoke of seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem. This revelation weighed heavily on my heart.

I turned my face towards the Lord God in prayer and supplication, fasting and wearing sackcloth and ashes as a sign of my sorrow and repentance. I cried out to the Lord, acknowledging His greatness and righteousness, and confessing our people's sins against Him.

We had rebelled against God's laws and commands by rejecting His prophets who spoke on His behalf to our leaders and ancestors. Our disobedience brought shame upon ourselves, our kings, princes, and fathers. Even now, we suffer the consequences of our sinfulness, having been scattered across distant lands due to our rebellion.

The Lord is a righteous God, yet we have failed to follow His laws, which He had given us through Moses, His faithful servant. As a result, God's curse has fallen upon us, and we have endured unimaginable suffering. Our judges, who were meant to uphold justice, have also suffered the consequences of our sin.

All Israel has broken God's law by turning away from His voice. The ancient prophecy spoken against us has been fulfilled, bringing a great evil upon Jerusalem, unlike anything seen before in history.

As it is written in Moses' law, this calamity has come upon us because we refused to seek the Lord's favor and turn from our wicked ways. Therefore, God has allowed this evil to happen, not because He delights in our suffering but because He is righteous in all His works and we have disobeyed Him.

Lord, remember your mighty deeds of leading our ancestors out of Egypt with a powerful hand. We acknowledge that we have sinned and acted wickedly. According to your righteousness, I beg you to turn away your anger and wrath from Jerusalem, the city you love, which has become a byword for shame among those who surround us.

Now, Lord God, hear my prayer and answer me. Shine your face upon our desolate sanctuary for your sake. Listen, Lord, as I cry out before you. Open your eyes to behold our suffering and the ruins of your holy city, which bears your name. We don't offer these prayers because we deserve it, but because of your boundless mercy.

Hear, Lord; forgive; listen, and act swiftly for your own sake, my God! Your people and city are called by your name. While I spoke in prayer, confessing our sins, the angel Gabriel appeared before me, as he had in a previous vision.

Gabriel told me that he had come to give me insight and understanding into what was happening. At the beginning of my prayers, the command to speak with me had been given, and now he would reveal to me a special message. I am greatly loved by God; therefore, understand this matter and consider its significance.

Seventy weeks have been determined for your people and holy city to complete transgression, put an end to sin, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy, and anoint the Most Holy Place.

Know that from the time a decree is issued to rebuild Jerusalem until the arrival of the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. During this period, despite challenges, the city's streets and walls will be rebuilt.

After sixty-nine weeks, the Messiah will be cut off but not for his own sake. Instead, the prince who is yet to come will destroy Jerusalem and its sanctuary, bringing an end with a flood of desolations that will last until the end of the war.

He will confirm a covenant with many people for one week, but in the middle of that week, he will bring sacrifices and offerings to an end because of the spreading abominations. This will leave the place desolate until the predetermined judgment is poured out on the desolate land.