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God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hanani′ah, Mish′a-el, and Azari′ah, his companions, 18 and told them to seek mercy of the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel said:

“Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever,
    to whom belong wisdom and might.
21 He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;
22 he reveals deep and mysterious things;
    he knows what is in the darkness,
    and the light dwells with him.
23 To thee, O God of my fathers,
    I give thanks and praise,
for thou hast given me wisdom and strength,
    and hast now made known to me what we asked of thee,
    for thou hast made known to us the king’s matter.”

Daniel Interprets the Dream

24 Therefore Daniel went in to Ar′i-och, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said thus to him, “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.”

25 Then Ar′i-och brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who can make known to the king the interpretation.” 26 The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshaz′zar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered the king, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery which the king has asked, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnez′zar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: 29 To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be hereafter, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. 30 But as for me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living has this mystery been revealed to me, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.

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17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.(A) 18 He urged them to plead for mercy(B) from the God of heaven(C) concerning this mystery,(D) so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery(E) was revealed to Daniel in a vision.(F) Then Daniel praised the God of heaven(G) 20 and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;(H)
    wisdom and power(I) are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;(J)
    he deposes(K) kings and raises up others.(L)
He gives wisdom(M) to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.(N)
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;(O)
    he knows what lies in darkness,(P)
    and light(Q) dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:(R)
    You have given me wisdom(S) and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.(T)

Daniel Interprets the Dream

24 Then Daniel went to Arioch,(U) whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”

25 Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles(V) from Judah(W) who can tell the king what his dream means.”

26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar),(X) “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”

27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about,(Y) 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.(Z) He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.(AA) Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind(AB) as you were lying in bed(AC) are these:(AD)

29 “As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.(AE) 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed(AF) to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.

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