2 Esdras 12:23-33

23 this is the interpretation: In the last period the Most High will raise up three kings, and he will renew many things in it, and they will rule the earth
24 and greatly oppress those who dwell on it, more than all the rest who were before them. Therefore, they are called the heads of the eagle,
25 because they will sum up its acts of impiety and complete its last deeds.
26 “As for your seeing the biggest head disappear, one of the kings will die on his bed, though in agonies.
27 As to the two who are left, the sword will destroy them.
28 The sword of one of them will destroy the one who is with him, but he too will fall by the sword in the last days.
29 “As for your seeing the two small wings passing over to the head on the right, this is the interpretation:
30 The Most High is keeping these for the eagle's end. This rule will be weak and full of upheaval,
31 as you saw. The lion whom you saw rousing itself from the forest and roaring and speaking to the eagle and rebuking it for its deeds of injustice, as for all the words that you heard him speaking,
32 this is the anointed one. The Most High has kept him for the end of days. He will arise from the line of David, and he will come and speak to them. He will denounce their wicked acts and indict them for their injustice. He will set before them their despicable deeds.
33 He will put them on trial while they are still alive, and after he has convicted them, he will destroy them.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lat kingdoms
  • [b]. Lat omits of days, who will arise from the line of David, and who will come and speak.
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