16
This is the interpretation of the twelve wings that you saw.
17
"As for your hearing a voice that spoke, coming not from the eagle's heads but from the midst of its body, this is the interpretation:
18
In the midst of the time of that kingdom great struggles shall arise, and it shall be in danger of falling; nevertheless it shall not fall then, but shall regain its former power.
19
As for your seeing eight little wings clinging to its wings, this is the interpretation:
20
Eight kings shall arise in it, whose times shall be short and their years swift;
21
two of them shall perish when the middle of its time draws near; and four shall be kept for the time when its end approaches, but two shall be kept until the end.
22
"As for your seeing three heads at rest, this is the interpretation:
23
In its last days the Most High will raise up three kings, and they shall renew many things in it, and shall rule the earth
24
and its inhabitants more oppressively than all who were before them. Therefore they are called the heads of the eagle,
25
because it is they who shall sum up his wickedness and perform his last actions.
26
As for your seeing that the large head disappeared, one of the kings shall die in his bed, but in agonies.