A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel.

In a vision, I, Daniel, saw the night.

The four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea,

from which emerged four immense beasts,

each different from the others.

The first was like a lion, but with eagle's wings. And while I watched the wings were plucked,

and it was raised from the ground to stand on two feet like a man,

and given a human mind.

The second was like a bear. It was raised up on one side and among the teeth

in its mouth there were three tusks. It was given the order, up, devour much flesh.

After this I looked and saw another beast like a leopard. On its back were four wings like those of a bird,

and it had four heads. To this beast, dominion was given. After this, in the visions of the night,

I saw the fourth beast, different from all the others, terrifying, horrible,

and of extraordinary strength. It had great iron teeth which would devour and crushed.

And what was left, it trampled with its feet.

I was considering the ten horns it had when suddenly another, a little horn,

sprang out of their mist,

and three of the previous horns were torn away to make room for it.

This horn had the eyes like a man and a mouth that spoke arrogantly.

As I watched, thrones were set up and the ancient one took his throne.

His clothing was snow bright and the hair on his head as white as wool. His throne was flames of fire with

wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat. Thousands upon

...