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Daniel 4-6
Evangelical Heritage Version

Nebuchadnezzar’s Letter

4 From King Nebuchadnezzar:[a]

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

May your peace and prosperity increase.

2 It seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God did for me.

3 How great are his signs!
    How mighty are his wonders!
    His kingdom is an eternal kingdom,
    and his dominion extends from generation to generation.

Nebuchadnezzar Seeks the Meaning of His Dream

4 When I, Nebuchadnezzar, was carefree in my house and prospering in my palace, 5 I saw a dream that frightened me. The images I saw while I was on my bed and the visions in my head alarmed me. 6 So I issued a decree to bring before me all of the wise men of Babylon so that they could give the interpretation of the dream and make it known to me. 7 Then the magicians, the spell casters, the astrologers, and the diviners came, and I told them the dream. However, they could not make its meaning known to me. 8 Afterward, Daniel came before me (whose name is Belteshazzar, like the name of my god, and a spirit of the holy gods dwells in him), and I told him the dream.

9 Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that a spirit of the holy gods dwells in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you, take a look at the dream I saw and interpret it for me. 10 I was seeing visions in my head while I was on my bed:

There was a tree standing in the middle of the earth,[b] and its height was great. 11 The tree grew and became strong. Its height reached to heaven, and it was visible to the ends of the whole earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit was plentiful. On it there was enough food for all. Under the tree the wild animals had shade, and the birds of the air lived in its branches. All living creatures fed themselves from it.

13 I was on my bed, watching the visions in my head, and I saw a watcher,[c] who was a holy one, come down from heaven. 14 He called out loudly, and this is what he said:

Chop down the tree and cut off its branches. Strip its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it, and the birds from its branches. 15 However, leave the stump with its root in the ground, with an iron and bronze band around it. Leave it with the grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew from the sky. Let its place be with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let its mind be changed from that of a human, let the mind of an animal be given to it, and let seven times pass over it.

17 The proclamation is a decree of the watchers, and the matter is a command of the holy ones, so that all the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdoms of men. He gives them to whomever he wishes, and he appoints the lowliest men over them.

18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, you, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, because none of the wise men of my kingdom are able to make the meaning known to me. But you are able, because a spirit of the holy gods is in you.

Daniel Explains Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was horrified for a moment, and his thoughts troubled him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream and its meaning trouble you.”

Belteshazzar answered, “My Lord, if only the dream were about your enemies and its meaning about your foes!”

20 The tree which you saw grew and became strong. Its height reached to heaven, and it was visible to the whole earth. 21 Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit was abundant. On it there was food for all. The wild animals lived under it, and the birds of the air lived in its branches.

22 You are the tree, Your Majesty. For you have grown, and you have become great. Your greatness has increased and reached to heaven. Your dominion reaches to the ends of the earth. 23 And you, Your Majesty, saw a watcher, who was a holy one, coming down from heaven, and he said, “Chop down the tree and destroy it. However, leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with an iron and bronze band around it. Let it be with the grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew from the sky. Its place will be with the wild animals, until seven times pass over it.”

24 This is the interpretation, Your Majesty:

It is a decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord, the king. 25 You will be driven away from humans, and your dwelling will be with the wild animals. You will have to eat plants as bulls do, and you will be wet with the dew from the sky. Seven times will pass over you until you know that the Most High rules the kingdoms of men, and he gives them to whomever he wishes. 26 Because they said to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will remain yours when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.

27 Therefore, Your Majesty, let my advice be pleasing to you. Break away from your sins with righteousness and from your guilty deeds by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be extended.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on top of the palace of his kingdom in Babylon. 30 The king said, “Isn’t this the great Babylon that I built for a royal residence by my mighty power and my majestic glory?”

31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from heaven. It said, “It is announced to you, King Nebuchadnezzar: The kingdom has been taken away from you. 32 You will be driven away from humans, and your dwelling will be with the wild animals. Grass will be fed to you as grass is fed to bulls, and seven times will pass over you until you know that the Most High rules the kingdoms of men, and he gives them to whomever he wishes.”

33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar, and he was driven away from humans. So he ate grass as bulls do, and his body was wet with the dew from the sky until his hair grew long like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

34 At the end of the set time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me. So I blessed the Most High, and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever, because his dominion is an eternal dominion, and his kingdom lasts forever and ever. 35 All of the inhabitants of the earth are considered to be nothing, and he does as he wishes with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. So there is no one who can hold back the hand of the Most High and say to him, “What have you done?” 36 At that time my reason[d] returned to me, and my splendor and glory returned to me for the honor of my kingdom. So my advisors and nobles looked for me. I was reinstated over my kingdom, and I became even more majestic than I was before. 37 Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of Heaven, because all his works are true, and his ways are just. All those who walk in arrogance he is able to humble.

The Handwriting on the Wall at Belshazzar’s Banquet

5 King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and in front of the thousand he drank wine. 2 When he had tasted the wine, Belshazzar said to bring the gold and silver vessels that his father[e] Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines could drink from them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that they had taken from the temple, that is, the House of God in Jerusalem. So the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

5 At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, opposite the lampstand, and the king saw the back of the hand that was writing. 6 Then the king’s cheerful appearance changed, his face grew pale,[f] and his thoughts troubled him. His legs went limp, and his knees knocked together.

7 The king called out loudly to bring the spell casters, the astrologers, and the diviners. The king said to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever is able to read this writing and explain its meaning will be clothed in purple, with a gold chain around his neck, and he will rule as third highest in the kingdom.”

8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they were not able to read the writing or tell the king what it meant. 9 Then King Belshazzar was really terrified. He grew even paler, and his nobles were perplexed.

10 The queen[g] came to the drinking party[h] because of the words of the king and his nobles. The queen said, “Your Majesty, may you live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, and do not look so frightened. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is a spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, enlightenment, insight, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. So King Nebuchadnezzar your father, your father the king, appointed him chief of the magicians, spell casters, astrologers, and diviners, 12 because an outstanding spirit and knowledge and insight in interpreting dreams and explaining riddles and solving knotty problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be summoned, and he will explain the meaning of the writing.”

Daniel Interprets the Writing

13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to Daniel, “Are you Daniel, one of the Judean exiles whom my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard about you that a spirit of the gods is in you, and enlightenment and insight and outstanding wisdom are found in you. 15 Now, those wise men who are the spell casters were brought before me to read this writing and to make its meaning known to me, but they were not able to explain the meaning of the message. 16 Yet I have heard about you that you are able to explain meanings clearly and to solve knotty problems. Therefore, if you are able to read the writing and make its meaning known to me, you will be clothed in purple, with a gold chain around your neck, and you will rule as the third in the kingdom.”

17 Then Daniel answered the king:

Keep your gifts for yourself, or give your rewards to someone else! Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king, and I will make its meaning known to him. 18 As for you, Your Majesty—the Most High God gave the kingdom, greatness, splendor, and glory to Nebuchadnezzar, your father. 19 So because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and were afraid in his presence. He killed whomever he wanted, and he let live whomever he wanted. Also, he promoted anyone he wanted, and he demoted anyone he wanted. 20 But when he thought too much of himself, and his spirit became hardened in pride so that he acted arrogantly, he was deposed from the throne of his kingdom, and his splendor was taken away from him. 21 He was driven away from humans, and his mind was changed to that of an animal. So his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass as bulls are fed, and his body was wet with dew from the sky, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdoms of men, and he raises up over them anyone he desires.

22 But you, his son, Belshazzar, did not humble your heart although you knew all this. 23 Instead, you lifted yourself against the Lord of Heaven. The vessels from his house were brought before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. Then you praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, who do not see and do not hear and do not know. But you did not honor the God who holds your breath in his hand and who controls all your ways. 24 So the back of the hand was sent by him, and this writing was inscribed.

25 Now this is the writing that was inscribed:

mene mene tekel and parsin

26 This is the meaning of the message:

Mene[i] means that God has counted up your kingdom and paid it out or spent it.

27 Tekel[j] means that you have been weighed in the scales, and you are too light.

28 Parsin[k] means that your kingdom has been broken in two and given to the Medes and the Persians.

29 Then Belshazzar spoke, and they dressed Daniel in purple, with a gold chain around his neck, and they made him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

Darius Receives the Kingdom

30 That very night, King Belshazzar the Chaldean was killed.

31 Then Darius the Mede received the kingdom, when he was about sixty-two years old.[l]

Daniel Is Rescued From the Lions’ Den

6 It seemed like a good plan to Darius to appoint one hundred twenty satraps over the kingdom. They were to rule throughout the kingdom. 2 Above them there would be three supervisors (Daniel was one of them) to whom these satraps would report, so that the king would not suffer any loss. 3 It came about that this Daniel distinguished himself above the supervisors and satraps, because there was an outstanding spirit in him. So the king intended to promote him so that he would be in charge of the entire kingdom.

4 Then the supervisors and satraps kept trying to find a basis for an accusation against Daniel in regard to his administration of the kingdom. However, they were unable to come up with an accusation or any evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy and no neglect of duty or evidence of corruption could be found against him. 5 Then these men said, “We will not find any accusation to bring against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

6 So these supervisors and satraps came as a group to the king and said this to him, “Darius, Your Majesty, may you live forever! 7 All the supervisors of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the advisors and the governors advise the king to establish and enforce a decree that prohibits anyone to pray a prayer to any god or person for thirty days except to you, Your Majesty. Anyone who does so will be thrown into the den[m] of lions. 8 Now Your Majesty, please establish the decree and sign a document that cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians that cannot be revoked.”

9 That is why King Darius signed the written decree.

10 Now, when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his house. It had windows on its upper story that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times each day he would get on his knees and pray and offer praise before his God. He continued to do that, just as he had been doing before this. 11 Then these men came as a group and found Daniel praying and seeking favor from his God.

12 They then went and asked the king about the decree. “Your Majesty, did you not sign a decree that anyone who prays to any god or person for thirty days except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the den of lions?”

The king answered, “Indeed I did. The order is established as a law of the Medes and the Persians that cannot be revoked.”

13 Then they responded to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, does not pay attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree that you signed. Instead, three times each day he is praying his prayers.”

14 When the king heard this report, he was very upset about it, but he was determined to save Daniel. So until sunset he worked hard to rescue him. 15 Then these men came as a group to the king and kept saying to the king, “You know, Your Majesty, that it is the law of the Medes and the Persians that every decree or statute that the king establishes cannot be changed.”

16 Then the king gave the order, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you.” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the pit. The king sealed it with his signet ring and the signet rings of his nobles so that nothing could be changed with regard to Daniel’s situation. 18 Then the king went to his palace. He spent the night without food, and no entertainment was brought before him. But he could not sleep.

19 At dawn the king arose as soon as it was light and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 As he came near the pit, he cried out in a fearful voice. The king said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, was your God, whom you serve continually, able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Then Daniel spoke with the king. “Your Majesty, may you live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions. They have not hurt me because he found me innocent in his presence. Also before you, Your Majesty, I have committed no crime.”

23 Then the king was very glad and said that Daniel should be brought up from the pit. So Daniel was brought up from the pit, and he was unharmed because he trusted in his God.

24 The king gave the order, and those men who maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the pit when the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in the entire earth:

    May your peace and prosperity increase.
26 I give this command throughout my royal dominion:
    People should continually tremble and be afraid before the God of Daniel,
    because he is the living God, who endures forever.
    His kingdom will not be destroyed,
    and his dominion is eternal.
27 He rescues and he saves.
    He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth.
    So he saved Daniel from the power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius, that is,[n] during the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:1 English 4:1-3 corresponds to 3:31-33 in Hebrew. English 4:4-18 corresponds to 4:1-15 in Hebrew.
  2. Daniel 4:10 Or land
  3. Daniel 4:13 That is, an angel
  4. Daniel 4:36 Or sanity
  5. Daniel 5:2 That is, his royal predecessor, not his physical father
  6. Daniel 5:6 Literally his brightness changed
  7. Daniel 5:10 Perhaps the king’s mother or grandmother, a daughter or granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar
  8. Daniel 5:10 Literally house of drinking
  9. Daniel 5:26 Mene means “measured” or “counted” and suggests mina, a unit for weighing money.
  10. Daniel 5:27 Tekel means “weighed” and suggests shekel, a unit for weighing money.
  11. Daniel 5:28 Parsin means “divided” and suggests half shekel. It also sounds like the word “Persians.”
  12. Daniel 5:31 English verse 5:31 is 6:1 in Hebrew. Throughout the rest of chapter 6, the English verse numbers are one number lower than the Hebrew numbers.
  13. Daniel 6:7 Or pit. The term den is retained here because of familiarity.
  14. Daniel 6:28 Literally and. It is likely that Darius is another name of Cyrus, but some historians think he was a subordinate of Cyrus.
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Daniel 4-6
New International Version

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

4 [a]King Nebuchadnezzar,

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

May you prosper greatly!(B)

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

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

4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented(G) and prosperous. 5 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) 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret(L) the dream for me. 7 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) 8 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.)

9 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

5 King Belshazzar(BV) gave a great banquet(BW) for a thousand of his nobles(BX) and drank wine with them. 2 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) 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(CC) of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.(CD)

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(CE) and he was so frightened(CF) that his legs became weak(CG) and his knees were knocking.(CH)

7 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)

8 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) 9 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

6 [n]It pleased Darius(EM) to appoint 120 satraps(EN) to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 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. 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.(EQ) 4 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. 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.”(ES)

6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever!(ET) 7 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) 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.”(EW) 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(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
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