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Daniel 5-7
New American Standard Bible

Belshazzar’s Feast

5 Belshazzar the king [a]held a great (A)feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking wine in the presence of the thousand. 2 [b]While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring the gold and silver (B)vessels which his [c]father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines could drink out of them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God which was in Jerusalem; and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank out of them. 4 They (C)drank the wine and praised the gods of (D)gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

5 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing. 6 Then the king’s [d](E)face became pale and his thoughts alarmed him, and his (F)hip joints [e]loosened and his (G)knees began knocking together. 7 The king called aloud to bring in the (H)sorcerers, the [f]Chaldeans, and the diviners. The king began speaking and said to the wise men of Babylon, “Anyone who can read this inscription and explain its interpretation to me shall be (I)clothed with purple and have a (J)necklace of gold around his neck, and have authority as (K)third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but (L)they could not read the inscription or make known its interpretation to the king. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly (M)alarmed, his [g](N)face grew even more pale, and his nobles were perplexed.

10 The queen entered the banquet [h]hall because of the words of the king and his nobles; the queen began to speak and said, “(O)O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts alarm you or your [i]face be pale. 11 There is a (P)man in your kingdom in whom is [j]a (Q)spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, illumination, insight, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father [k](R)the king—appointed him chief of the soothsayer priests, sorcerers, Chaldeans, and diviners. 12 This was because an (S)extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of riddles, and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named (T)Belteshazzar. Let Daniel now be summoned and he will declare the interpretation.”

Daniel Interprets the Handwriting on the Wall

13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king began speaking and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the [l](U)exiles from Judah, whom my father the king (V)brought from Judah? 14 Now I have heard about you that [m]a spirit of the gods is in you, and that illumination, insight, and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you. 15 Just now the (W)wise men and the sorcerers were brought in before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they (X)could not declare the interpretation of the [n]message. 16 But I personally have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Now if you are able to read the inscription and make its (Y)interpretation known to me, you will be (Z)clothed with purple and wear a necklace of gold around your neck, and you will have authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.”

17 Then Daniel replied and said before the king, “[o]Keep your (AA)gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him. 18 [p]O king, the (AB)Most High God (AC)granted [q]sovereignty, (AD)greatness, honor, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. 19 Now because of the greatness which He granted him, all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [r]languages trembled and feared in his presence; (AE)whomever he wished, he killed, and whomever he wished, he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated, and whomever he wished he humbled. 20 But when his heart [s]was (AF)arrogant and his spirit became so [t](AG)overbearing that he behaved presumptuously, he was (AH)deposed from his royal throne, and his dignity was taken away from him. 21 He was also (AI)driven away from [u]mankind, and his heart was made like that of animals, and his dwelling place was with the (AJ)wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he recognized that the (AK)Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes. 22 Yet you, his [v]son, Belshazzar, have (AL)not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, 23 but you have (AM)risen up against the (AN)Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives, and your concubines have been drinking wine out of them; and you have praised the (AO)gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see, nor hear, nor understand. But the God (AP)in whose hand are your life-breath and all your (AQ)ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the [w](AR)hand was sent from Him and this inscription was written out.

25 “Now this is the inscription that was written:

‘[x]Menē, [y]Menē, [z]Tekēl, [aa]Upharsin.’

26 This is the interpretation of the [ab]message: ‘Menē’—God has numbered your kingdom and (AS)put an end to it. 27 ‘Tekēl’—you have been (AT)weighed on the scales and found deficient. 28 ‘[ac]Perēs’—your kingdom has been divided and given to the (AU)Medes and [ad]Persians.”

29 Then Belshazzar gave orders, and they (AV)clothed Daniel with purple and put a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 That same night (AW)Belshazzar the Chaldean king was (AX)killed. 31 [ae]So (AY)Darius the Mede received the kingdom at about the age of sixty-two.

Daniel Serves Darius

6 [af]It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, to be in charge of the whole kingdom, 2 and over them, three commissioners (of whom (AZ)Daniel was one), so that these satraps would be accountable to them, and that the king would not [ag]suffer (BA)loss. 3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself [ah]among the commissioners and satraps because [ai]he possessed an (BB)extraordinary spirit, and the king intended to appoint him over the (BC)entire kingdom. 4 Then the commissioners and satraps began (BD)trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel regarding [aj]government affairs; but they could find (BE)no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him regarding the (BF)law of his God.”

6 Then these commissioners and satraps came [ak]by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, (BG)live forever! 7 All the (BH)commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have (BI)consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall (BJ)be thrown into the lions’ [al]den. 8 Now, O king, (BK)establish the injunction and sign the document so that it will not be changed, according to the (BL)law of the Medes and Persians, which [am]may not be revoked.” 9 Thereupon, King Darius (BM)signed the document, that is, the injunction.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the document was signed, he entered his house (and in his roof chamber he had windows open (BN)toward Jerusalem); and he continued (BO)kneeling on his knees three times a day, (BP)praying and (BQ)offering praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously. 11 Then these men came [an](BR)by agreement and found Daniel offering a prayer and imploring favor before his God. 12 Then they approached and (BS)spoke before the king about the king’s injunction: “Did you not sign an injunction that any person who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the (BT)law of the Medes and Persians, which [ao]may not be revoked.” 13 Then they responded and spoke before the king, “(BU)Daniel, who is one of the [ap]exiles from Judah, pays (BV)no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps offering his prayer three times a day.”

14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply (BW)distressed, and set his mind on rescuing Daniel; and until sunset he kept exerting himself to save him. 15 Then these men came [aq]by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a (BX)law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and (BY)thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “[ar](BZ)Your God whom you continually serve will Himself rescue you.” 17 And a (CA)stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed regarding Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night (CB)fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his (CC)sleep fled from him.

19 Then the king got up at dawn, at the break of day, and went in a hurry to the lions’ den. 20 And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king began speaking and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has (CD)your God, whom you continually serve, been (CE)able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel spoke [as]to the king, “(CF)O king, live forever! 22 My God (CG)sent His angel and (CH)shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, since [at]I was found innocent before Him; and also [au]toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” 23 Then the king was very glad and gave orders for Daniel to be lifted up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted up out of the den, and (CI)no injury whatever was found on him, because he had (CJ)trusted in his God. 24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had [av]maliciously accused Daniel, and they (CK)threw them, their (CL)children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then Darius the king wrote to all the (CM)peoples, nations, and populations of all [aw]languages who were living in all the land: “(CN)May your [ax]peace be great! 26 [ay]I (CO)issue a decree that in all the realm of my kingdom people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel;

For He is the (CP)living God and (CQ)enduring forever,
And (CR)His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed,
And His dominion will be [az]forever.
27 He rescues, saves, and performs (CS)signs and miracles
In heaven and on earth,
He who has also rescued Daniel from the [ba]power of the lions.”

28 So this (CT)Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of (CU)Cyrus the Persian.

Vision of the Four Beasts

7 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a (CV)dream and visions [bb]in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he (CW)wrote the dream down and told the [bc]following summary of [bd]it. 2 Daniel [be]said, “I was (CX)looking in my vision by night, and behold, the (CY)four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great (CZ)beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another. 4 The first was (DA)like a lion but had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and set up on two feet like a man; a human [bf]mind also was given to it. 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and they said this to it: ‘Arise, devour much meat!’ 6 After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, (DB)like a leopard, which had on its [bg]back four wings of a bird; the beast also had (DC)four heads, and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a (DD)fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had (DE)ten horns. 8 While I was thinking about the horns, behold, (DF)another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the previous horns were plucked out before it; and behold, [bh]this horn possessed eyes like human eyes, and (DG)a mouth uttering great boasts.

The Ancient of Days Reigns

9 “I kept looking
Until (DH)thrones were set up,
And the Ancient of Days took His seat;
His (DI)garment was white as snow,
And the (DJ)hair of His head like pure wool.
His (DK)throne was [bi]ablaze with flames,
Its (DL)wheels were a burning fire.
10 A river of (DM)fire was flowing
And coming out from before Him;
(DN)Thousands upon thousands were serving Him,
And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him;
The (DO)court [bj]convened,
And (DP)the books were opened.

11 Then I kept looking because of the sound of the [bk]boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was killed, and its body was destroyed and given to the (DQ)burning [bl]fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but an extension of life was granted to them for an appointed period of time.

The Son of Man Presented

13 “I kept looking in the night visions,
And behold, with the clouds of heaven
One like a son of man was coming,
And He came up to the Ancient of Days
And was presented before Him.
14 And to Him was given (DR)dominion,
Honor, and [bm](DS)a kingdom,
(DT)So that all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [bn]languages
Might serve Him.
(DU)His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
(DV)And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed.

The Vision Interpreted

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within [bo]me, and the (DW)visions [bp]in my mind kept (DX)alarming me. 16 I approached one of those who were (DY)standing by and began requesting of him the [bq]exact meaning of all this. So he (DZ)told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18 But the [br](EA)saints of the Highest One will (EB)receive the kingdom and take possession of the kingdom forever, [bs]for all ages to come.’

19 “Then I desired to know the [bt]exact meaning of the (EC)fourth beast, which was different from all [bu]the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three of the horns fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts, and [bv]which was larger in appearance than its associates. 21 I kept looking, and that horn was (ED)waging war with the [bw]saints and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and (EE)judgment was [bx]passed in favor of the [by]saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the [bz]saints took possession of the kingdom.

23 “This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth and trample it down and crush it. 24 As for the (EF)ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will [ca]humble three kings. 25 And he will [cb](EG)speak against the (EH)Most High and (EI)wear down the [cc]saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make (EJ)alterations in times and in law; and [cd]they will be handed over to him for a [ce](EK)time, [cf]times, and half a [cg]time. 26 But the court will [ch]convene for judgment, and his dominion will be (EL)taken away, [ci]annihilated and destroyed [cj]forever. 27 Then the [ck](EM)sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the [cl]saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an (EN)everlasting kingdom, and all the empires will (EO)serve and obey Him.’

28 “[cm]At this point the revelation ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were (EP)greatly alarming me and my [cn]face became pale, but I (EQ)kept the matter [co]to myself.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 5:1 Lit made
  2. Daniel 5:2 Or Under the influence of the wine
  3. Daniel 5:2 Or forefather, and so throughout the ch
  4. Daniel 5:6 Lit brightness changed for him
  5. Daniel 5:6 Or shook
  6. Daniel 5:7 I.e., probably master astrologers, diviners, etc., and so throughout the ch
  7. Daniel 5:9 Lit brightness was changing upon him
  8. Daniel 5:10 Lit house
  9. Daniel 5:10 Lit brightness be changed
  10. Daniel 5:11 Or possibly the Spirit of the holy God
  11. Daniel 5:11 Or O king
  12. Daniel 5:13 Lit sons of the exile
  13. Daniel 5:14 Or possibly the Spirit of God
  14. Daniel 5:15 Lit word
  15. Daniel 5:17 Lit Let...be for
  16. Daniel 5:18 Lit You, O king
  17. Daniel 5:18 Or the kingdom
  18. Daniel 5:19 Lit tongues
  19. Daniel 5:20 Lit rose up
  20. Daniel 5:20 Lit strong
  21. Daniel 5:21 Lit the sons of mankind
  22. Daniel 5:22 Or descendant
  23. Daniel 5:24 Lit palm of the hand
  24. Daniel 5:25 Or a mina (50 shekels) from verb “to count”
  25. Daniel 5:25 Or a mina (50 shekels) from verb “to count”
  26. Daniel 5:25 Or a shekel from verb “to weigh”
  27. Daniel 5:25 Or and half-shekels (singular: perēs) from verb “to divide”
  28. Daniel 5:26 Lit word
  29. Daniel 5:28 Or half-shekel from verb “to divide”
  30. Daniel 5:28 Aram: Pāras
  31. Daniel 5:31 Ch 6:1 in Aram
  32. Daniel 6:1 Ch 6:2 in Aram
  33. Daniel 6:2 Or come to grief
  34. Daniel 6:3 Lit above
  35. Daniel 6:3 Lit there was in him
  36. Daniel 6:4 Lit the kingdom
  37. Daniel 6:6 Or as a group
  38. Daniel 6:7 Or pit, and so throughout the ch
  39. Daniel 6:8 Lit does not pass away
  40. Daniel 6:11 Or as a group
  41. Daniel 6:12 Lit does not go away
  42. Daniel 6:13 Lit sons of the exile
  43. Daniel 6:15 Or as a group
  44. Daniel 6:16 Or May your God...Himself rescue you
  45. Daniel 6:21 Lit with
  46. Daniel 6:22 Lit innocence was found for me
  47. Daniel 6:22 Lit before
  48. Daniel 6:24 Lit eaten the pieces of Daniel
  49. Daniel 6:25 Lit tongues
  50. Daniel 6:25 Or welfare; or prosperity
  51. Daniel 6:26 Lit From me a decree is issued
  52. Daniel 6:26 Lit to the end
  53. Daniel 6:27 Lit hand
  54. Daniel 7:1 Lit of his head
  55. Daniel 7:1 Or beginning
  56. Daniel 7:1 Lit words
  57. Daniel 7:2 Lit began speaking and said
  58. Daniel 7:4 Lit heart
  59. Daniel 7:6 Or sides
  60. Daniel 7:8 Lit in this horn were eyes
  61. Daniel 7:9 Lit flames of fire
  62. Daniel 7:10 Lit took its place
  63. Daniel 7:11 Lit great
  64. Daniel 7:11 Lit of the fire
  65. Daniel 7:14 Or sovereignty
  66. Daniel 7:14 Lit tongues
  67. Daniel 7:15 Lit its sheath
  68. Daniel 7:15 Lit of my head
  69. Daniel 7:16 Lit what was certain
  70. Daniel 7:18 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  71. Daniel 7:18 Lit and unto the age of the ages
  72. Daniel 7:19 Lit truth concerning
  73. Daniel 7:19 Lit of them
  74. Daniel 7:20 Lit its appearance was larger
  75. Daniel 7:21 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  76. Daniel 7:22 Lit given for
  77. Daniel 7:22 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  78. Daniel 7:22 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  79. Daniel 7:24 Or humiliate
  80. Daniel 7:25 Lit speak words
  81. Daniel 7:25 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  82. Daniel 7:25 I.e., the saints
  83. Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
  84. Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
  85. Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
  86. Daniel 7:26 Lit take its place
  87. Daniel 7:26 Lit to annihilate and to destroy
  88. Daniel 7:26 Lit to the end
  89. Daniel 7:27 Or kingdom
  90. Daniel 7:27 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  91. Daniel 7:28 Lit To here the end of the word
  92. Daniel 7:28 Lit brightness was changing upon me
  93. Daniel 7:28 Lit in my heart
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Daniel 5-7
New International Version

The Writing on the Wall

5 King Belshazzar(A) gave a great banquet(B) for a thousand of his nobles(C) and drank wine with them. 2 While Belshazzar was drinking(D) his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets(E) that Nebuchadnezzar his father[a] had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines(F) might drink from them.(G) 3 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. 4 As they drank the wine, they praised the gods(H) of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.(I)

5 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. 6 His face turned pale(J) and he was so frightened(K) that his legs became weak(L) and his knees were knocking.(M)

7 The king summoned the enchanters,(N) astrologers[b](O) and diviners.(P) Then he said to these wise(Q) 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,(R) and he will be made the third(S) highest ruler in the kingdom.”(T)

8 Then all the king’s wise men(U) came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.(V) 9 So King Belshazzar became even more terrified(W) and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.

10 The queen,[c] hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!”(X) 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(Y) in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom(Z) like that of the gods.(AA) Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.(AB) 12 He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar,(AC) was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles(AD) and solve difficult problems.(AE) Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.(AF)”

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?(AG) 14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods(AH) is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.(AI) 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.(AJ) 16 Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems.(AK) 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,(AL) and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”(AM)

17 Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else.(AN) 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(AO) sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor.(AP) 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;(AQ) those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled.(AR) 20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride,(AS) he was deposed from his royal throne(AT) and stripped(AU) of his glory.(AV) 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(AW) over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.(AX)

22 “But you, Belshazzar, his son,[d] have not humbled(AY) yourself, though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have set yourself up against(AZ) the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives(BA) 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.(BB) But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life(BC) and all your ways.(BD) 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[e]: God has numbered the days(BE) of your reign and brought it to an end.(BF)

27 Tekel[f]: You have been weighed on the scales(BG) and found wanting.(BH)

28 Peres[g]: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes(BI) and Persians.”(BJ)

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

30 That very night Belshazzar,(BM) king(BN) of the Babylonians,[h] was slain,(BO) 31 and Darius(BP) the Mede(BQ) took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.[i]

Daniel in the Den of Lions

6 [j]It pleased Darius(BR) to appoint 120 satraps(BS) to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel.(BT) The satraps were made accountable(BU) to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 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.(BV) 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges(BW) 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. 5 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.”(BX)

6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever!(BY) 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors(BZ) 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.(CA) 8 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.”(CB) 9 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(CC) Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees(CD) and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.(CE) 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.(CF) 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.”(CG)

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,(CH) pays no attention(CI) 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;(CJ) 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.”(CK)

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

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed(CN) 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(CO) and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.(CP)

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?”(CQ)

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!(CR) 22 My God sent his angel,(CS) and he shut the mouths of the lions.(CT) They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.(CU) 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(CV) was found on him, because he had trusted(CW) 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,(CX) along with their wives and children.(CY) And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.(CZ)

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

“May you prosper greatly!(DB)

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

“For he is the living God(DE)
    and he endures forever;(DF)
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
    his dominion will never end.(DG)
27 He rescues and he saves;(DH)
    he performs signs and wonders(DI)
    in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”(DJ)

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus[k](DK) the Persian.(DL)

Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts

7 In the first year of Belshazzar(DM) king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions(DN) passed through his mind(DO) as he was lying in bed.(DP) He wrote(DQ) down the substance of his dream.

2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven(DR) churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts,(DS) each different from the others, came up out of the sea.

4 “The first was like a lion,(DT) and it had the wings of an eagle.(DU) I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it.

5 “And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’(DV)

6 “After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard.(DW) And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

7 “After that, in my vision(DX) at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron(DY) teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled(DZ) underfoot whatever was left.(EA) It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.(EB)

8 “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little(EC) one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being(ED) and a mouth that spoke boastfully.(EE)

9 “As I looked,

“thrones were set in place,
    and the Ancient of Days(EF) took his seat.(EG)
His clothing was as white as snow;(EH)
    the hair of his head was white like wool.(EI)
His throne was flaming with fire,
    and its wheels(EJ) were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire(EK) was flowing,
    coming out from before him.(EL)
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
    ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
    and the books(EM) were opened.

11 “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking.(EN) I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.(EO) 12 (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[l](EP) coming(EQ) with the clouds of heaven.(ER) He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority,(ES) glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him.(ET) His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom(EU) is one that will never be destroyed.(EV)

The Interpretation of the Dream

15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.(EW) 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this.

“So he told me and gave me the interpretation(EX) of these things: 17 ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy people(EY) of the Most High will receive the kingdom(EZ) and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’(FA)

19 “Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns(FB) on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.(FC) 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,(FD) 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.(FE)

23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.(FF) 24 The ten horns(FG) are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High(FH) and oppress his holy people(FI) and try to change the set times(FJ) and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.[m](FK)

26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed(FL) forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms(FM) under heaven will be handed over to the holy people(FN) of the Most High.(FO) His kingdom will be an everlasting(FP) kingdom, and all rulers will worship(FQ) and obey him.’

28 “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled(FR) by my thoughts,(FS) and my face turned pale,(FT) but I kept the matter to myself.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 5:2 Or ancestor; or predecessor; also in verses 11, 13 and 18
  2. Daniel 5:7 Or Chaldeans; also in verse 11
  3. Daniel 5:10 Or queen mother
  4. Daniel 5:22 Or descendant; or successor
  5. Daniel 5:26 Mene can mean numbered or mina (a unit of money).
  6. Daniel 5:27 Tekel can mean weighed or shekel.
  7. Daniel 5:28 Peres (the singular of Parsin) can mean divided or Persia or a half mina or a half shekel.
  8. Daniel 5:30 Or Chaldeans
  9. Daniel 5:31 In Aramaic texts this verse (5:31) is numbered 6:1.
  10. Daniel 6:1 In Aramaic texts 6:1-28 is numbered 6:2-29.
  11. Daniel 6:28 Or Darius, that is, the reign of Cyrus
  12. Daniel 7:13 The Aramaic phrase bar enash means human being. The phrase son of man is retained here because of its use in the New Testament as a title of Jesus, probably based largely on this verse.
  13. Daniel 7:25 Or for a year, two years and half a year
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2 John
New American Standard Bible

Walk According to His Commandments

1 (A)The elder to the (B)chosen (C)lady and her children, whom I (D)love in truth; and not only I, but also all who (E)know the truth, 2 (F)because of the truth which remains (G)in us and will be (H)with us forever: 3 (I)Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4 (J)I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment to do from the Father. 5 Now I ask you, lady, (K)not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had (L)from the beginning, that we (M)love one another. 6 And (N)this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, (O)just as you have heard (P)from the beginning, that you are to walk in it.

7 For (Q)many deceivers have (R)gone out into the world, those who (S)do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is (T)the deceiver and the (U)antichrist. 8 (V)Watch yourselves, (W)that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 [a]Anyone who [b]goes too far and (X)does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, (Y)do not receive him into your house, and do not [c]give him a greeting; 11 for the one who [d]gives him a greeting [e](Z)participates in his evil deeds.

12 (AA)Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak [f]face to face, so that [g]your (AB)joy may be made complete.

13 The children of your (AC)chosen sister greet you.

Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:9 Lit Everyone
  2. 2 John 1:9 Lit goes on ahead
  3. 2 John 1:10 Lit say to him
  4. 2 John 1:11 Lit says to him
  5. 2 John 1:11 I.e., shares responsibility for them
  6. 2 John 1:12 Lit mouth to mouth
  7. 2 John 1:12 One early ms our
Close NIV

2 John
New International Version

1 The elder,(A)

To the lady chosen by God(B) and to her children, whom I love in the truth(C)—and not I only, but also all who know the truth(D)— 2 because of the truth,(E) which lives in us(F) and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ,(G) the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth,(H) just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning.(I) I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love:(J) that we walk in obedience to his commands.(K) As you have heard from the beginning,(L) his command is that you walk in love.

7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ(M) as coming in the flesh,(N) have gone out into the world.(O) Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.(P) 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.(Q) 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ(R) does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.(S) 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.(T) 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares(U) in their wicked work.

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face,(V) so that our joy may be complete.(W)

13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God,(X) send their greetings.

Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:8 Some manuscripts you
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