2 Esdras 12:22-32

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.
27 But as for the two who remained, the sword shall devour them.
28 For the sword of one shall devour him who was with him; but he also shall fall by the sword in the last days.
29 "As for your seeing two little wings passing over to the head which was on the right side,
30 this is the interpretation: It is these whom the Most High has kept for the eagle's end; this was the reign which was brief and full of tumult, as you have seen.
31 "And as for the lion whom you saw rousing up out of the forest and roaring and speaking to the eagle and reproving him for his unrighteousness, and as for all his words that you have heard,
32 this is the Messiah whom the Most High has kept until the end of days, who will arise from the offspring of David, and will come and speak with them. He will denounce them for their ungodliness and for their wickedness, and will display before them their contemptuous dealings.

Footnotes 8

  • [a]. Syr Ethiop Arab Arm: Lat [kingdoms]
  • [b]. Syr Ethiop Arm: Lat [he]
  • [c]. Lat [them]
  • [d]. Arab 1: Lat [underwings]
  • [e]. Syr Ethiop: Lat lacks [to]
  • [f]. Lat [his]
  • [g]. Literally [anointed one]
  • [h]. Syr: Lat lacks [of days . . . and speak]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.