Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin (Buk Baibel Long Tok Pisin 2008 + DC)
Kantri bilong en i liklik, tasol em bai i mekim giaman kontrak wantaim sampela kantri, na tok olsem em i laik sindaun gut wantaim ol. Tasol wantu bai em i pait long ol long taim ol i no gat tingting bilong pait. Na long dispela pasin em bai i kamap strongpela king. Ol dispela kantri em i pait long ol, em ol kantri i gat planti mani samting. Na em bai i kisim ol gutpela samting em i winim long pait na tilim long ol poroman bilong en. Ol tumbuna bilong en i no bin mekim dispela kain pasin bipo. Em bai i gat tingting bilong kirapim pait na kisim ol taun i gat strongpela banis, na em bai i kisim sampela bilong ol. Tasol em bai i mekim dispela kain pasin long sotpela taim tasol.
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes a person who makes an agreement with others but later betrays them to gain power and strength, even though he starts with only a few followers. The speaker is Daniel, predicting future events.
Explained for Children
Imagine you make friends with someone at school, but then that friend tricks everyone and gets really popular, even though they didn't have many friends at first. That's what this verse talks about.
Historical Background
Daniel wrote this prophecy during the Babylonian exile in the sixth century BCE. He was a Jewish prophet who lived among foreign powers, and he was addressing his fellow Jews with predictions of future events that would affect them.
Living It Out Today
This verse can remind us to be cautious about making agreements or trusting people who might deceive us later for their own gain. In modern settings, this could apply in business partnerships where one party may betray the agreement to take advantage of a situation.
'Small people' likely refers to the fact that the person described will start with limited support, but through deceit and cunning, he will eventually gain significant power.
How can we apply this verse's warning about deceit today?
We should be cautious when entering agreements or partnerships, especially if there are signs of dishonesty. Being discerning helps protect against betrayal and exploitation.
Who might the 'he' in Daniel 11:23 refer to historically?
Scholars often associate this verse with historical figures like Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid ruler who betrayed his alliance with Rome and persecuted Jews during his reign.
Is there a similar message in the New Testament about deceit?
Yes, Jesus warns against false prophets in Matthew 24:11-12 who will deceive many. This echoes Daniel's warning to be wary of those gaining power through deceitful means.