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Daniel 5
New International Version
Daniel 5
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]
Footnotes
- Daniel 5:2 Or ancestor; or predecessor; also in verses 11, 13 and 18
- Daniel 5:7 Or Chaldeans; also in verse 11
- Daniel 5:10 Or queen mother
- Daniel 5:22 Or descendant; or successor
- Daniel 5:26 Mene can mean numbered or mina (a unit of money).
- Daniel 5:27 Tekel can mean weighed or shekel.
- Daniel 5:28 Peres (the singular of Parsin) can mean divided or Persia or a half mina or a half shekel.
- Daniel 5:30 Or Chaldeans
- Daniel 5:31 In Aramaic texts this verse (5:31) is numbered 6:1.
Daniel 5
New King James Version
Daniel 5
New King James Version
Belshazzar’s Feast
5 Belshazzar the king (A)made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. 2 While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels (B)which his [a]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. 3 Then they brought the gold (C)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. 4 They drank wine, (D)and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
5 (E)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. 6 Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his (F)knees knocked against each other. 7 (G)The king cried [b]aloud to bring in (H)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; (I)and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Now all the king’s wise men came, (J)but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly (K)troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were [c]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 (L)There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your [d]father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your [e]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 [f]explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, (M)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 [g]who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my [h]father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that (N)the [i]Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now (O)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 [j]explain enigmas. (P)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, (Q)the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your [k]father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, (R)all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he (S)executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. 20 (T)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 (U)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, (V)till he [l]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, (W)have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 (X)And you have [m]lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the (Y)vessels of [n]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, (Z)which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand (AA)and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the [o]fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.
25 “And this is the inscription that was written:
[p]MENE, MENE, [q]TEKEL, [r]UPHARSIN.
26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEL: (AB)You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the (AC)Medes and (AD)Persians.”[s] 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 (AE)that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Belshazzar’s Fall
30 (AF)That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 (AG)And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
Footnotes
- Daniel 5:2 Or ancestor
- Daniel 5:7 Lit. with strength
- Daniel 5:9 perplexed
- Daniel 5:11 Or ancestor
- Daniel 5:11 Or ancestor
- Daniel 5:12 Lit. untying knots
- Daniel 5:13 Lit. who is of the sons of the captivity
- Daniel 5:13 Or ancestor
- Daniel 5:14 Or spirit of the gods
- Daniel 5:16 Lit. untie knots
- Daniel 5:18 Or ancestor
- Daniel 5:21 Recognized
- Daniel 5:23 Exalted
- Daniel 5:23 The temple
- Daniel 5:24 Lit. palm
- Daniel 5:25 Lit. a mina (50 shekels) from the verb “to number”
- Daniel 5:25 Lit. a shekel from the verb “to weigh”
- Daniel 5:25 Lit. and half-shekels from the verb “to divide”; pl. of Peres, v. 28
- Daniel 5:28 Aram. Paras, consonant with Peres
Daniel 5
King James Version
Daniel 5
King James Version
5 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
10 Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?
14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.
15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:
16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
25 And this is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.
26 This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
27 Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
28 Peres; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
Daniel 5
La Biblia de las Américas
Daniel 5
La Biblia de las Américas
El festín y la escritura en la pared
5 El rey Belsasar dio un gran banquete a mil de sus nobles, y en presencia de los mil se puso a beber vino(A). 2 Mientras saboreaba el vino, Belsasar ordenó traer los vasos de oro y plata que Nabucodonosor su padre[a] había sacado del templo que estaba en Jerusalén(B), para que bebieran en ellos el rey y sus nobles, sus mujeres y sus concubinas. 3 Entonces trajeron los vasos de oro que habían sido sacados del templo, la casa de Dios que estaba en Jerusalén, y el rey y sus nobles, sus mujeres y sus concubinas bebieron en ellos. 4 Bebieron vino y alabaron a los dioses de oro y plata, de bronce, hierro, madera y piedra(C).
5 De pronto aparecieron los dedos de una mano humana y comenzaron a escribir frente al candelabro sobre lo encalado de la pared del palacio del rey, y el rey vio el dorso[b] de la mano que escribía. 6 Entonces el rostro del rey palideció[c], y sus pensamientos lo turbaron(D), las coyunturas de sus caderas se le relajaron(E) y sus rodillas comenzaron a chocar una contra otra(F). 7 El rey gritó fuertemente que trajeran a los encantadores, a los caldeos[d] y a los adivinos. El rey habló, y dijo a los sabios de Babilonia: Cualquiera que pueda leer esta inscripción y declararme su interpretación(G), será vestido de púrpura, llevará un collar de oro al cuello y tendrá autoridad como tercero[e] en el reino(H). 8 Entonces entraron todos los sabios del rey, pero no pudieron leer la inscripción ni dar a conocer al rey su interpretación(I). 9 Y el rey Belsasar se turbó en gran manera, su rostro palideció(J) aún más[f]; también sus nobles quedaron perplejos(K).
10 La reina, al enterarse de las palabras del rey y de sus nobles, entró en la sala[g] del banquete y[h] tomando la palabra, dijo: ¡Oh rey, vive para siempre(L)! No te turben tus pensamientos ni se mude tu semblante[i]. 11 Hay un hombre en tu reino en quien está el espíritu de los dioses santos[j]; y en los días de tu padre se halló en él luz, inteligencia y sabiduría como la sabiduría de los dioses(M). Y tu padre, el rey Nabucodonosor, tu padre el rey[k], lo nombró jefe de los magos[l](N), encantadores, caldeos[m] y adivinos(O), 12 debido a que se halló un espíritu extraordinario, conocimiento e inteligencia(P), interpretación de sueños, explicación de enigmas y solución de problemas difíciles en este hombre, Daniel, a quien el rey llamaba Beltsasar. Llámese, pues ahora, a Daniel(Q), y él declarará la interpretación.
13 Entonces Daniel fue traído ante el rey. El rey habló y dijo a Daniel: ¿Eres tú aquel Daniel de los deportados[n] de Judá(R), que el rey mi padre trajo de Judá(S)? 14 He oído de ti que el espíritu de los dioses[o] está en ti, y que luz, inteligencia y extraordinaria sabiduría se hallan en ti. 15 Ahora mismo los sabios y encantadores fueron traídos delante de mí para que leyeran esta inscripción y me dieran a conocer su interpretación(T), pero no pudieron declarar la interpretación del escrito[p](U). 16 Mas yo he oído decir de ti que puedes dar interpretaciones y resolver problemas difíciles. Ahora, si puedes leer la inscripción y darme a conocer su interpretación(V), serás vestido de púrpura y llevarás un collar de oro al cuello, y tendrás autoridad como tercero[q] en el reino(W).
17 Entonces Daniel respondió, y dijo(X) delante del rey: Sean para ti tus regalos y da tus recompensas a otro. Yo leeré, sin embargo, la inscripción al rey y le daré a conocer su interpretación. 18 Oh rey[r], el Dios Altísimo(Y) concedió(Z) a tu padre Nabucodonosor(AA) soberanía[s], grandeza, gloria y majestad. 19 Y a causa de la grandeza que Él le concedió, todos los pueblos, naciones y lenguas temían y temblaban delante de él; a quien quería, mataba, y a quien quería, dejaba con vida; exaltaba a quien quería, y a quien quería humillaba(AB). 20 Pero cuando su corazón se enalteció(AC) y su espíritu se endureció en su arrogancia(AD), fue depuesto de su trono real y su gloria le fue quitada(AE). 21 Y fue echado de entre los hombres[t], su corazón se hizo semejante al de las bestias y con los asnos monteses(AF) tuvo su morada. Se le dio a comer hierba como al ganado y su cuerpo se empapó con el rocío del cielo, hasta que reconoció que el Dios Altísimo domina sobre el reino de los hombres y que pone sobre él a quien le place(AG). 22 Mas tú, su hijo[u] Belsasar, no has humillado(AH) tu corazón aunque[v] sabías todo esto, 23 sino que te has ensalzado contra el Señor del cielo(AI); y han traído delante de ti los vasos de su templo[w], y tú y tus nobles, tus mujeres y tus concubinas, habéis estado bebiendo vino en ellos y habéis alabado a los dioses de plata y oro, de bronce, hierro, madera y piedra(AJ), que ni ven, ni oyen, ni entienden(AK); pero al Dios que tiene en su mano tu propio aliento(AL) y es dueño de todos tus caminos(AM), no has glorificado; 24 por lo cual Él envió de su presencia la mano[x](AN) que trazó esta inscripción.
25 Y esta es la inscripción que fue trazada: Mene[y], Mene[z], Tekel[aa], Ufarsin[ab]. 26 Esta es la interpretación del escrito[ac]: Mene: Dios ha contado tu reino y le ha puesto fin(AO). 27 Tekel: has sido pesado en la balanza(AP) y hallado falto de peso. 28 Peres: tu reino ha sido dividido y entregado a los medos y persas[ad](AQ).
29 Entonces Belsasar ordenó que vistieran a Daniel de púrpura y le pusieran un collar de oro al cuello, y que proclamaran acerca de él, que él tenía ahora autoridad como tercero[ae] en el reino(AR).
30 Aquella misma noche fue asesinado Belsasar(AS), rey de los caldeos(AT). 31 [af]Y Darío el medo recibió el reino(AU) cuando tenía sesenta y dos años.
Footnotes
- Daniel 5:2 O, antepasado, y así en el resto del cap.
- Daniel 5:5 Lit., la palma
- Daniel 5:6 Lit., se le cambió su brillantez
- Daniel 5:7 O, astrólogos
- Daniel 5:7 O, un triumviro
- Daniel 5:9 Lit., su brillantez cambió en él
- Daniel 5:10 Lit., casa
- Daniel 5:10 Lit., la reina
- Daniel 5:10 Lit., se cambie tu brillantez
- Daniel 5:11 O posiblemente, el Espíritu del Dios santo
- Daniel 5:11 U, oh rey
- Daniel 5:11 O, sacerdotes adivinos
- Daniel 5:11 O, astrólogos
- Daniel 5:13 Lit., hijos del destierro
- Daniel 5:14 O posiblemente, el Espíritu de Dios
- Daniel 5:15 Lit., de la palabra
- Daniel 5:16 O, un triumviro
- Daniel 5:18 Lit., Tú, oh rey
- Daniel 5:18 O, el reino
- Daniel 5:21 Lit., hijos del hombre
- Daniel 5:22 O, descendiente
- Daniel 5:22 Lit., por cuanto
- Daniel 5:23 Lit., casa
- Daniel 5:24 Lit., la palma de la mano
- Daniel 5:25 O, una mina (50 siclos), del verbo contar
- Daniel 5:25 O, una mina (50 siclos), del verbo contar
- Daniel 5:25 O, un siclo, del verbo pesar
- Daniel 5:25 O, y medios siclos, del verbo dividir (singular arameo, peres)
- Daniel 5:26 Lit., de la palabra
- Daniel 5:28 arameo: paras
- Daniel 5:29 O, un triumviro
- Daniel 5:31 En arameo, cap. 6:1
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
