Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream

Nebuchadnezzar the king,

(A)To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders (B)that the Most High God has worked for me.

(C)How great are His signs,
And how mighty His wonders!
His kingdom is (D)an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. I saw a dream which made me afraid, (E)and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head (F)troubled me. Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. (G)Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation. But at last Daniel came before me (H)(his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; (I)in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying: “Belteshazzar, (J)chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.

10 “These were the visions of my head while on my bed:

I was looking, and behold,
(K)A tree in the midst of the earth,
And its height was great.
11 The tree grew and became strong;
Its height reached to the heavens,
And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.
12 Its leaves were lovely,
Its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
(L)The beasts of the field found shade under it,
The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches,
And all flesh was fed from it.

13 “I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was (M)a watcher, (N)a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 He cried [a]aloud and said thus:

(O)‘Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.
(P)Let the beasts get out from under it,
And the birds from its branches.
15 Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth,
Bound with a band of iron and bronze,
In the tender grass of the field.
Let it be wet with the dew of heaven,
And let him graze with the beasts
On the grass of the earth.
16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man,
Let him be given the heart of a beast,
And let seven (Q)times[b] pass over him.

17 ‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers,
And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,
In order (R)that the living may know
(S)That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
(T)Gives it to whomever He will,
And sets over it the (U)lowest of men.’

18 “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, (V)since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, (W)for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.”

Daniel Explains the Second Dream

19 Then Daniel, (X)whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts (Y)troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.”

Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may (Z)the dream [c]concern those who hate you, and its interpretation [d]concern your enemies!

20 (AA)“The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, 21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home— 22 (AB)it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, (AC)and your dominion to the end of the earth.

23 (AD)“And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, (AE)and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven [e]times pass over him’; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 They shall (AF)drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you (AG)eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven [f]times shall pass over you, (AH)till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and (AI)gives it to whomever He chooses.

26 “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that (AJ)Heaven[g] rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; (AK)break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. (AL)Perhaps there may be (AM)a [h]lengthening of your prosperity.”

Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation

28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking [i]about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king (AN)spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”

31 (AO)While the word was still in the king’s mouth, (AP)a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And (AQ)they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven [j]times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

34 And (AR)at the end of the [k]time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him (AS)who lives forever:

For His dominion is (AT)an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 (AU)All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
(AV)He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
(AW)No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, (AX)“What have You done?”

36 At the same time my reason returned to me, (AY)and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was (AZ)restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was (BA)added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, (BB)praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, (BC)all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. (BD)And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

Belshazzar’s Feast

Belshazzar the king (BE)made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels (BF)which his [l]father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought the gold (BG)vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine, (BH)and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.

(BI)In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his (BJ)knees knocked against each other. (BK)The king cried [m]aloud to bring in (BL)the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; (BM)and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Now all the king’s wise men came, (BN)but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. Then King Belshazzar was greatly (BO)troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were [n]astonished.

10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. 11 (BP)There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your [o]father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your [p]father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and [q]explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, (BQ)whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”

The Writing on the Wall Explained

13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel [r]who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my [s]father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that (BR)the [t]Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now (BS)the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. 16 And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and [u]explain enigmas. (BT)Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

17 Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, (BU)the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your [v]father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, (BV)all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he (BW)executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. 20 (BX)But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 Then he was (BY)driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, (BZ)till he [w]knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, (CA)have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 (CB)And you have [x]lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the (CC)vessels of [y]His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, (CD)which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand (CE)and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the [z]fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.

25 “And this is the inscription that was written:

[aa]MENE, MENE, [ab]TEKEL, [ac]UPHARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEL: (CF)You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the (CG)Medes and (CH)Persians.”[ad] 29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him (CI)that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Belshazzar’s Fall

30 (CJ)That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 (CK)And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

The Plot Against Daniel

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, (CL)because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. (CM)So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: (CN)“King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have (CO)consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the (CP)law of the Medes and Persians, which [ae]does not alter.” Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open (CQ)toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees (CR)three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 (CS)And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”

The king answered and said, “The thing is true, (CT)according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [af]does not alter.”

13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, (CU)who is [ag]one of the captives from Judah, (CV)does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

14 And the king, when he heard these words, (CW)was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he [ah]labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men [ai]approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is (CX)the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 (CY)Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, (CZ)and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

Daniel Saved from the Lions

18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no [aj]musicians were brought before him. (DA)Also his sleep [ak]went from him. 19 Then the (DB)king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a [al]lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, (DC)has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

21 Then Daniel said to the king, (DD)“O king, live forever! 22 (DE)My God sent His angel and (DF)shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, (DG)because he believed in his God.

Darius Honors God

24 And the king gave the command, (DH)and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, (DI)their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

25 (DJ)Then King Darius wrote:

To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

26 (DK)I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must (DL)tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

(DM)For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be (DN)destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues,
(DO)And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the [am]power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius (DP)and in the reign of (DQ)Cyrus the Persian.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:14 Lit. with strength
  2. Daniel 4:16 Possibly years
  3. Daniel 4:19 be for
  4. Daniel 4:19 for
  5. Daniel 4:23 Possibly years
  6. Daniel 4:25 Possibly years
  7. Daniel 4:26 God
  8. Daniel 4:27 prolonging
  9. Daniel 4:29 Or upon
  10. Daniel 4:32 Possibly years
  11. Daniel 4:34 Lit. days
  12. Daniel 5:2 Or ancestor
  13. Daniel 5:7 Lit. with strength
  14. Daniel 5:9 perplexed
  15. Daniel 5:11 Or ancestor
  16. Daniel 5:11 Or ancestor
  17. Daniel 5:12 Lit. untying knots
  18. Daniel 5:13 Lit. who is of the sons of the captivity
  19. Daniel 5:13 Or ancestor
  20. Daniel 5:14 Or spirit of the gods
  21. Daniel 5:16 Lit. untie knots
  22. Daniel 5:18 Or ancestor
  23. Daniel 5:21 Recognized
  24. Daniel 5:23 Exalted
  25. Daniel 5:23 The temple
  26. Daniel 5:24 Lit. palm
  27. Daniel 5:25 Lit. a mina (50 shekels) from the verb “to number”
  28. Daniel 5:25 Lit. a shekel from the verb “to weigh”
  29. Daniel 5:25 Lit. and half-shekels from the verb “to divide”; pl. of Peres, v. 28
  30. Daniel 5:28 Aram. Paras, consonant with Peres
  31. Daniel 6:8 Lit. does not pass away
  32. Daniel 6:12 Lit. does not pass away
  33. Daniel 6:13 Lit. of the sons of the captivity
  34. Daniel 6:14 strove
  35. Daniel 6:15 Lit. thronged before
  36. Daniel 6:18 Exact meaning unknown
  37. Daniel 6:18 Or fled
  38. Daniel 6:20 Or grieved
  39. Daniel 6:27 Lit. hand

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

[a]King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the nations and peoples of every language,(A) who live in all the earth:

May you prosper greatly!(B)

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs(C) and wonders that the Most High God(D) has performed for me.

How great are his signs,
    how mighty his wonders!(E)
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
    his dominion endures(F) from generation to generation.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented(G) and prosperous. I had a dream(H) that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed,(I) the images and visions that passed through my mind(J) terrified me.(K) So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret(L) the dream for me. When the magicians,(M) enchanters, astrologers[b] and diviners(N) came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.(O) Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar,(P) after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods(Q) is in him.)

I said, “Belteshazzar, chief(R) of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods(S) is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed:(T) I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.(U) 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.(V) 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches;(W) from it every creature was fed.

13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed,(X) I looked, and there before me was a holy one,(Y) a messenger,[c] coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree(Z) and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.(AA) 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.

“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[d] pass by for him.(AB)

17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(AC) is sovereign(AD) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(AE) of people.’

18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me.(AF) But you can,(AG) because the spirit of the holy gods(AH) is in you.”(AI)

Daniel Interprets the Dream

19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified(AJ) him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”(AK)

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds(AL) 22 Your Majesty, you are that tree!(AM) You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.(AN)

23 “Your Majesty saw a holy one,(AO) a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’(AP)

24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree(AQ) the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched(AR) with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High(AS) is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.(AT) 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots(AU) means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.(AV) 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.(AW) It may be that then your prosperity(AX) will continue.(AY)

The Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened(AZ) to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory(BA) of my majesty?”(BB)

31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.(BC) 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”(BD)

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched(BE) with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.(BF)

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity(BG) was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.(BH)

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom(BI) endures from generation to generation.(BJ)
35 All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.(BK)
He does as he pleases(BL)
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back(BM) his hand(BN)
    or say to him: “What have you done?”(BO)

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.(BP) My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt(BQ) and glorify(BR) the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.(BS) And those who walk in pride(BT) he is able to humble.(BU)

The Writing on the Wall

King Belshazzar(BV) gave a great banquet(BW) for a thousand of his nobles(BX) and drank wine with them. While Belshazzar was drinking(BY) his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets(BZ) that Nebuchadnezzar his father[e] had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines(CA) might drink from them.(CB) So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods(CC) of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.(CD)

Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale(CE) and he was so frightened(CF) that his legs became weak(CG) and his knees were knocking.(CH)

The king summoned the enchanters,(CI) astrologers[f](CJ) and diviners.(CK) Then he said to these wise(CL) men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck,(CM) and he will be made the third(CN) highest ruler in the kingdom.”(CO)

Then all the king’s wise men(CP) came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.(CQ) So King Belshazzar became even more terrified(CR) and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.

10 The queen,[g] hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!”(CS) she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods(CT) in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom(CU) like that of the gods.(CV) Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.(CW) 12 He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar,(CX) was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles(CY) and solve difficult problems.(CZ) Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.(DA)

13 So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?(DB) 14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods(DC) is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.(DD) 15 The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it.(DE) 16 Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems.(DF) If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck,(DG) and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”(DH)

17 Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else.(DI) Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

18 “Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar(DJ) sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor.(DK) 19 Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death;(DL) those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled.(DM) 20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride,(DN) he was deposed from his royal throne(DO) and stripped(DP) of his glory.(DQ) 21 He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign(DR) over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.(DS)

22 “But you, Belshazzar, his son,[h] have not humbled(DT) yourself, though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have set yourself up against(DU) the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives(DV) and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand.(DW) But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life(DX) and all your ways.(DY) 24 Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.

25 “This is the inscription that was written:

mene, mene, tekel, parsin

26 “Here is what these words mean:

Mene[i]: God has numbered the days(DZ) of your reign and brought it to an end.(EA)

27 Tekel[j]: You have been weighed on the scales(EB) and found wanting.(EC)

28 Peres[k]: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes(ED) and Persians.”(EE)

29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck,(EF) and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.(EG)

30 That very night Belshazzar,(EH) king(EI) of the Babylonians,[l] was slain,(EJ) 31 and Darius(EK) the Mede(EL) took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.[m]

Daniel in the Den of Lions

[n]It pleased Darius(EM) to appoint 120 satraps(EN) to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel.(EO) The satraps were made accountable(EP) to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.(EQ) At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges(ER) against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”(ES)

So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever!(ET) The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors(EU) have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.(EV) Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”(EW) So King Darius put the decree in writing.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward(EX) Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees(EY) and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.(EZ) 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.(FA) 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”(FB)

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,(FC) pays no attention(FD) to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed;(FE) he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”(FF)

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.(FG) The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue(FH) you!”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed(FI) it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating(FJ) and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.(FK)

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”(FL)

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!(FM) 22 My God sent his angel,(FN) and he shut the mouths of the lions.(FO) They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.(FP) Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound(FQ) was found on him, because he had trusted(FR) in his God.

24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den,(FS) along with their wives and children.(FT) And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.(FU)

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language(FV) in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!(FW)

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence(FX) the God of Daniel.(FY)

“For he is the living God(FZ)
    and he endures forever;(GA)
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
    his dominion will never end.(GB)
27 He rescues and he saves;(GC)
    he performs signs and wonders(GD)
    in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”(GE)

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus[o](GF) the Persian.(GG)

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:1 In Aramaic texts 4:1-3 is numbered 3:31-33, and 4:4-37 is numbered 4:1-34.
  2. Daniel 4:7 Or Chaldeans
  3. Daniel 4:13 Or watchman; also in verses 17 and 23
  4. Daniel 4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32
  5. Daniel 5:2 Or ancestor; or predecessor; also in verses 11, 13 and 18
  6. Daniel 5:7 Or Chaldeans; also in verse 11
  7. Daniel 5:10 Or queen mother
  8. Daniel 5:22 Or descendant; or successor
  9. Daniel 5:26 Mene can mean numbered or mina (a unit of money).
  10. Daniel 5:27 Tekel can mean weighed or shekel.
  11. Daniel 5:28 Peres (the singular of Parsin) can mean divided or Persia or a half mina or a half shekel.
  12. Daniel 5:30 Or Chaldeans
  13. Daniel 5:31 In Aramaic texts this verse (5:31) is numbered 6:1.
  14. Daniel 6:1 In Aramaic texts 6:1-28 is numbered 6:2-29.
  15. Daniel 6:28 Or Darius, that is, the reign of Cyrus