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但以理书 2
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
但以理书 2
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
尼布甲尼撒的梦
2 尼布甲尼撒在执政第二年做了梦，心里烦乱，无法入睡， 2 便派人召来术士、巫师、行法术的和占星家[a]，为他解梦。他们都来到王面前。 3 王对他们说：“我做了一个梦，心里烦乱，想知道梦的意思。” 4 占星家用亚兰话对王说：“愿王万岁！请将梦告诉仆人，仆人好解释梦的意思。” 5 王对占星家说：“我的旨意已定，你们若不能将梦和梦的意思告诉我，必被碎尸万段，你们的家必沦为废墟。 6 你们若能将梦和梦的意思告诉我，我必给你们礼物、赏赐和极大的尊荣。所以你们要将梦和梦的意思告诉我。” 7 他们再次对王说：“请王将梦告诉仆人，仆人好解释梦的意思。” 8 王说：“我敢肯定，你们是在拖延时间，因为你们知道我的旨意已定， 9 你们若不将梦告诉我，我必惩治你们。你们串通起来在我面前胡言乱语，期待情况会改变。现在将梦告诉我，我就相信你们能解梦。” 10 占星家说：“王所要求的，世上无人能做到，因为再伟大、再有权势的君王也没问过术士、巫师或占星家这样的事。 11 王问的事太难，除了不在人间居住的神明外，无人能为王解答。” 12 王大怒，下令处死巴比伦所有的智者。 13 于是，处死智者的谕旨发出，但以理和他的同伴都在被杀之列。
14 王的护卫长亚略奉命要处死巴比伦的智者，但以理机智、谨慎地应对。 15 他问王的护卫长亚略：“王的命令为何这样紧急？”亚略就把情况告诉他。 16 但以理便进宫求王宽限，以便为王解梦。 17 然后，他回到居所将这事告诉同伴哈拿尼雅、米沙利和亚撒利雅， 18 要同伴祈求天上的上帝施怜悯，显明这奥秘，以免他们和其他巴比伦的智者一起被杀。 19 这奥秘在夜间的异象中向但以理显明，他便颂赞天上的上帝， 20 说：
“上帝的名永永远远当受称颂，
因为智慧和能力都属于祂。
21 祂改变时令和季节，废王立王，
赐智慧给智者，赐知识给哲士。
22 祂显明深奥隐秘之事，
洞悉暗中的隐情，
有光与祂同住。
23 我祖先的上帝啊，我感谢你，赞美你，
因你赐我智慧和能力，
应允我们的祈求，
使我们明白王的梦。”
但以理解梦
24 于是，但以理去见王指派处死巴比伦智者的亚略，对他说：“不要处死巴比伦的智者，请带我去见王，我要为王解梦。” 25 亚略急忙带但以理去见王，对王说：“我在被掳的犹大人中找到一个能为王解梦的。” 26 王就问又名伯提沙撒的但以理：“你能将我做的梦和梦的意思告诉我吗？” 27 但以理回答说：“没有智者、术士、巫师或占星家可以解答王所问的奥秘， 28-30 但天上的上帝能揭开奥秘，祂已把将来要发生的事告诉了王。王啊，你在床上梦见了将来的事，揭开奥秘的上帝已把将来的事指示给你。上帝将王做的梦启示给我，并非因为我的智慧胜过其他人，而是要让王知道梦的意思和王的心事。以下是王在床上做的梦和脑中出现的异象。
31 “王啊，你梦见一个高大宏伟、极其明亮的塑像站在你面前，相貌可怕， 32 有纯金的头、银的胸和臂、铜的肚腹和大腿、 33 铁的小腿和半铁半泥的脚。 34 在你观看的时候，有一块非人手凿出的石头打在塑像半铁半泥的脚上，砸碎了脚。 35 铁、泥、铜、银、金随即粉碎，犹如夏天麦场上的糠秕，被风吹得无影无踪。但打碎这像的石头变成一座大山，充满整个大地。
36 “这就是梦的内容。现在我们要为王解梦。 37 王啊，你是万王之王，天上的上帝已将国度、权柄、能力和尊荣赐给你， 38 也将居住在各地的世人、走兽和飞禽都交在你手中，让你管理。你就是那金头。 39 在你之后，必有另一国兴起，不及你的国强大。之后是将要统治天下的第三个国，是铜的。 40 接着是坚如铁的第四国，能击垮、打碎列国，正如铁能击垮、打碎一切。 41 你看见半铁半陶泥的脚和脚趾，表示那将是一个分裂的国。正如你看见铁和泥混杂在一起，它必有铁一般的力量。 42 半铁半泥的脚趾表示那国必半强半弱。 43 你看见铁和泥混杂在一起，这表示那国的民族彼此混杂通婚，却不能团结，正如铁和泥无法混合。 44 在以上列王统治的时候，天上的上帝必设立一国——永不灭亡、外族无法夺其政权。这国将击垮、消灭列国，并且永远长存。 45 你看见那块非人手从山中凿出的石头打碎铁、铜、泥、银和金。伟大的上帝已把将来的事告诉了王。这梦是真实的，解释是可靠的。”
46 尼布甲尼撒王俯伏在地，向但以理下拜，并下令给他献供物和香。 47 王对但以理说：“你们的上帝真是万神之神、万王之主、奥秘的启示者，因为你能揭开这个奥秘。” 48 王赐但以理高官及许多贵重的礼物，派他治理巴比伦全省，管理巴比伦所有的智者。 49 王又应允但以理的请求，派沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌负责巴比伦省的事务。但以理仍在朝中供职。
Daniel 2
King James Version
Daniel 2
King James Version
2 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.
5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
6 But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.
7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.
8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
9 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.
10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.
25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.
26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.
47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
但以理书 2
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
但以理书 2
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
巴比伦王忘记自己的梦
2 尼布甲尼撒在位第二年，他作了梦，因此心里烦乱，不能入睡。 2 于是王吩咐人把术士、用法术的、行邪术的和迦勒底人都召来，要他们把王的梦告诉王。他们来了，站在王面前。 3 王对他们说：“我作了一个梦，心里烦乱，我要知道这是甚么梦。” 4 迦勒底人用亚兰话对王说：“愿王万岁！请把那梦告诉仆人，我们好解释梦的意思。” 5 王回答迦勒底人说：“我已经定旨：如果你们不把那梦和梦的意思向我说明，就必被碎尸万段，你们的家必成为废墟。 6 如果你们能把那梦和梦的意思向我解释，就必从我这里得礼物、奖赏和大尊荣，所以你们要把梦和梦的意思向我解释。” 7 他们第二次回答王说：“请王把梦告诉仆人，我们好解释梦的意思。” 8 王回答说：“我清楚知道你们企图拖延时间，因为你们看出我已经定旨。 9 如果你们不把那梦向我说明，只有一个办法对付你们。你们串通在我面前胡言乱语，希望时势有所改变。你们现在要把梦告诉我，好使我知道你们真能把梦的意思向我解释。”
迦勒底人无法说出王的梦
10 迦勒底人在王面前回答说：“世上没有人能把王所问的事说出来，因为从来没有一个伟大和有权势的君王向术士、用法术的和迦勒底人询问过这样的事。 11 王所问的事很难答，除了那不和世人同住的神明以外，没有人能在王面前把这事说出来。” 12 因此，王大发烈怒，下令杀绝巴比伦所有的智慧人。 13 于是王的御旨发出，要把智慧人都杀死；人就寻找但以理和他的同伴，要杀死他们。
但以理求王宽限
14 那时，王的护卫长亚略出来，要杀死巴比伦的智慧人，但以理就婉转机敏地向他询问； 15 但以理对王的护卫长亚略说：“王的命令为甚么这样严厉呢？”亚略就把这事告诉但以理。 16 但以理就进去，求王宽限，使他可以把那梦的意思为王解释。
神把梦的意义指示但以理
17 但以理回到自己的家里，把这事告诉他的同伴哈拿尼雅、米沙利和亚撒利雅， 18 要他们为这隐秘的事祈求天上的 神怜悯，免得但以理和他的同伴与巴比伦其余的智慧人一同灭亡。 19 于是这隐秘的事在夜间的异象中给但以理显明了。但以理就称颂天上的 神。 20 但以理说：
“愿 神的名得称颂，从永远直到永远，
因为智慧和能力都是属他的。
21 他改变时间、季节；
他废王、立王；
他赐智慧给智慧人，
赐知识给聪明人。
22 他显明深奥和隐密的事，
他洞悉暗中的一切，
因为光明与他同住。
23 我列祖的 神啊！我感谢你，赞美你！
你把智慧和能力赐了给我；
我们向你所求的，现在你已向我显明，
把王的事告诉了我们。”
但以理入宫见王
24 于是但以理进去见亚略，就是王委派去杀绝巴比伦的智慧人的，对他这样说：“不要杀绝巴比伦的智慧人；请把我带到王面前，我要把梦的意思向王解释。”
25 亚略就急忙把但以理带到王面前，对王这样说：“我在被掳的犹大人中找到一个能把梦的意思向王说明的人。” 26 王问称为伯提沙撒的但以理说：“你能向我说明我所见的梦和梦的意思吗？” 27 但以理在王面前回答说：“王所问的那隐秘的事，没有智慧人、用法术的、术士和占星家能向王解释； 28 只有一位在天上的 神能把一切隐秘的事显明；他已经把日后将要发生的事告诉你尼布甲尼撒王了。你的梦和你躺在床上时脑海中出现的异象就是这样： 29 王啊！你躺在床上时，想到日后将要发生的事，那显明隐秘事的 神就把将要发生的事向你说明了。 30 现在这隐秘的事向我显明，并不是因为我的智慧胜过所有的人，而是要使王知道梦的意思和你心想明白的事。
复述梦境
31 “王啊！你正在观看，看见有一座大像，那像甚高，非常光耀，竖立在你面前，样貌十分可怕。 32 这像的头是纯金的，胸膛和手臂是银的，腹和腰是铜的， 33 腿是铁的，脚是铁和泥混杂的。 34 你正观看的时候，有一块非人手凿成的石头，击在那座大像铁和泥混杂的脚上，把脚砸碎了。 35 于是铁、泥、铜、银、金都一同砸得粉碎，好象夏天禾场上的糠秕，被风吹散，无处可寻；那打碎这像的石头却变成一座大山，充满全地。
详解梦义
36 “这就是那梦，现在我们要在王面前讲解那梦的意思。 37 王啊！你是万王之王，天上的 神已经把国度、权柄、能力和尊荣都赐给你； 38 也把散居在各处的世人、田野的走兽和空中的飞鸟，都交在你手里，使你管理这一切。你就是那金头。 39 在你以后，另一国将兴起，不及于你。后有第三国，就是那铜的，要统治全地。 40 还有第四国，坚强如铁，因为铁能砸碎击破万物；铁怎样压碎一切，那国也要照样砸碎一切。 41 正如你看见那像的脚和脚趾是窑匠的泥和铁混杂的，那国也必分裂；正如你看见铁和陶泥混合在一起，那国也必有铁的坚硬。 42 那些脚趾是铁和泥混杂的，那国也必是部分坚强，部分脆弱。 43 你怎样看见铁和陶泥混合在一起，那国的人也必和列国的人通婚混杂，却不能彼此联合，正如铁和泥不能混杂一样。 44 那些王在位的时候，天上的 神必兴起另一个永不灭亡的国，国权必不归给别族的人。这国必砸碎毁灭其他各国；并且这国必存到永远。 45 正如你看见那块从山而出，非人手凿成的石头，把铁、铜、泥、银和金都砸碎了，伟大的 神已把日后必有的结局都告诉王了。这梦是确实的，梦的意思也是准确的。”
王高抬并重赏但以理
46 尼布甲尼撒王俯伏在地，向但以理下拜，又下令向但以理献上供物和香品。 47 王对但以理说：“你们的 神真是万神之神，万王之王，又是显明隐秘事的，因为你能把这隐秘的事显明出来。” 48 于是王提升但以理，赐他许多贵重的礼物，使他管理巴比伦全省，又立他为总长，管理巴比伦所有的智慧人。 49 但以理求王，王就委派沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌管理巴比伦省的政务；但以理却在朝中侍立。
Daniel 2
Amplified Bible
Daniel 2
Amplified Bible
The King’s Forgotten Dream
2 In the second year (604 b.c.) of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams which troubled and disturbed his spirit and [interfered with] his ability to sleep. 2 Then the king gave a command to call the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the [a]Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 The king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled and anxious to know the [content and meaning of the] dream.”
4 Then the Chaldeans said to the king in [b]Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.” 5 The king replied to the Chaldeans, “My command is firm and unchangeable: if you do not reveal to me the [content of the] dream along with its interpretation, you shall be cut into pieces and your houses shall be made a heap of rubbish. 6 But if you tell [me] the [content of the] dream along with its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and its interpretation.” 7 They answered again, “Let the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will explain its interpretation [to you].” 8 The king replied, “I know for certain that you are bargaining for time, because you have seen that my command [to you] is firm and irrevocable. 9 If you will not reveal to me the [content of the] dream, there is but one sentence for you; for you have [already] prepared lying and corrupt words [and you have agreed together] to speak [them] before me [hoping to delay your execution] until the situation is changed. Therefore, tell me the dream [first], and then I will know [with confidence] that you can give me its interpretation.” 10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king this matter, for no king, lord or ruler has ever asked such a thing as this of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11 Furthermore, what the king demands is an unusual and difficult thing indeed! No one except the gods can reveal it to the king, and their dwelling is not with [mortal] flesh.”
12 Because of this the king was indignant and extremely furious and gave a command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree went out that the wise men were to be killed; and they looked for Daniel and his companions to put them to death.
14 Then Daniel replied with discretion and wisdom to Arioch, the captain of the king’s [c]bodyguard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon; 15 he said to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so harsh and urgent?” Then Arioch explained the matter to Daniel. 16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to appoint a date and give him time, so that he might reveal to the king the interpretation of the dream.
17 Then Daniel returned to his house and discussed the matter with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 in order that they might seek compassion from the God of heaven regarding this secret, so that Daniel and his companions would not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
The Secret Is Revealed to Daniel
19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered,
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
21
“It is He who changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
And [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!(A)
22
“It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him.(B)
23
“I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers,
For You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
For You have made known to us [the solution to] the king’s matter.”
24 So Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said this to him: “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will reveal to the king the interpretation [of his dream].”
25 Then Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel before the king and said this to him: “I have found a man among the exiles of Judah who can explain to the king the interpretation [of the dream].” 26 The king said to Daniel, whose [Babylonian] name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to reveal to me the [content of the] dream which I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered the king and said, “Regarding the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither the wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor astrologers are able to answer the king, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days (end of days). This was your dream and the vision [that appeared] in your mind while on your bed. 29 As for you, O king, as you were lying on your bed thoughts came into your mind about what will take place in the future; and He who reveals secrets has shown you what will occur. 30 But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because my wisdom is greater than that of any other living man, but in order to make the interpretation known to the king, and so that you may understand [fully] the thoughts of your mind.
The King’s Dream
31 “You, O king, were looking, and behold, [there was] a single great statue; this image, which was large and of unsurpassed splendor, stood before you, and its appearance was awesome and terrifying. 32 As for this [d]statue, its head was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay [pottery]. 34 As you were looking, a [e]stone was cut out without [human] hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them.(C) 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together and became like the chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them could be found. And the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
The Interpretation—Babylon the First Kingdom
36 “This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. 37 You, O king, are the king of [earthly] kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory;(D) 38 and wherever the sons of men dwell, and the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You [king of Babylon] are the head of gold.
Medo-Persia and Greece
39 After you will arise another kingdom (Medo-Persia) inferior to you, and then a third kingdom of bronze (Greece under Alexander the Great), which will rule over all the earth.
Rome
40 Then a fourth kingdom (Rome) will be strong as iron, for iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things; and like iron which crushes things in pieces, it will break and crush all these [others].(E) 41 And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will be in it some of the durability and strength of iron, just as you saw the iron mixed with common clay. 42 As the [ten] toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so some of the kingdom will be strong, and another part of it will be brittle. 43 And as you saw the iron mixed with common clay, so they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not merge [for such diverse things or ideologies cannot unite], even as iron does not mix with clay.
The Divine Kingdom
44 In the days of those [final ten] kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereignty be left for another people; but it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it will stand forever.(F) 45 Just as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold, the great God has revealed to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”
Daniel Promoted
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell face downward and paid respect to Daniel [as a great prophet of the highest God], and gave orders for an offering and fragrant incense to be presented to him [in honor of his God]. 47 The king answered Daniel and said, “Most certainly your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery!”(G) 48 Then the king promoted Daniel [to an exalted position] and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 And Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel was at the court of the king.
Footnotes
- Daniel 2:2 I.e. Babylonian sages who were master astrologers, and so below.
- Daniel 2:4 In addition to their native language, most people involved in government or trade could speak and write in Aramaic. At this point in the book Daniel switches from writing in Hebrew to writing in Aramaic. He returns to writing in Hebrew in ch 8.
- Daniel 2:14 Or executioners.
- Daniel 2:32 Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream outlines the further history of Gentile world power. The four metals of which the statue was made represented four successive empires, each with the power to rule the inhabited earth—though each stopped short of that. They were: (1) Babylon (Jer 51:7); (2) Medo-Persia; (3) Greece under Alexander; and (4) Rome. The latter power was divided first into the two legs, corresponding to the eastern and western Roman Empires, and then (after a very long time apparently) into the ten toes, a confederacy made up largely of European nations (7:24-27).
- Daniel 2:34 The eternal kingdom of God, the Messianic kingdom, will extend over all the earth, and those who reject Jesus, the Messiah, the Stone, will be crushed. See also Ps 118:22, 23; Is 8:14; Matt 21:44; Luke 20:18; 1 Pet 2:4-8.
Daniel 2
New International Version
Daniel 2
New International Version
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
2 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams;(A) his mind was troubled(B) and he could not sleep.(C) 2 So the king summoned the magicians,(D) enchanters, sorcerers(E) and astrologers[a](F) to tell him what he had dreamed.(G) When they came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles(H) me and I want to know what it means.[b]”
4 Then the astrologers answered the king,[c](I) “May the king live forever!(J) Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”
5 The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided:(K) If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces(L) and your houses turned into piles of rubble.(M) 6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor.(N) So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”
7 Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”
8 Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: 9 If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty(O) for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”(P)
10 The astrologers(Q) answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer.(R) 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods,(S) and they do not live among humans.”
12 This made the king so angry and furious(T) that he ordered the execution(U) of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.(V)
14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.
17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.(W) 18 He urged them to plead for mercy(X) from the God of heaven(Y) concerning this mystery,(Z) so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery(AA) was revealed to Daniel in a vision.(AB) Then Daniel praised the God of heaven(AC) 20 and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;(AD)
wisdom and power(AE) are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;(AF)
he deposes(AG) kings and raises up others.(AH)
He gives wisdom(AI) to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.(AJ)
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;(AK)
he knows what lies in darkness,(AL)
and light(AM) dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:(AN)
You have given me wisdom(AO) and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king.(AP)”
Daniel Interprets the Dream
24 Then Daniel went to Arioch,(AQ) whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”
25 Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles(AR) from Judah(AS) who can tell the king what his dream means.”
26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar),(AT) “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”
27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about,(AU) 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.(AV) He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.(AW) Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind(AX) as you were lying in bed(AY) are these:(AZ)
29 “As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.(BA) 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed(BB) to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.
31 “Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue,(BC) awesome(BD) in appearance. 32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands.(BE) It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed(BF) them.(BG) 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away(BH) without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain(BI) and filled the whole earth.(BJ)
36 “This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king.(BK) 37 Your Majesty, you are the king of kings.(BL) The God of heaven has given you dominion(BM) and power and might and glory; 38 in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all.(BN) You are that head of gold.
39 “After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth.(BO) 40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.(BP) 41 Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. 42 As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.
44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush(BQ) all those kingdoms(BR) and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.(BS) 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock(BT) cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands(BU)—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.
“The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future.(BV) The dream is true(BW) and its interpretation is trustworthy.”
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate(BX) before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering(BY) and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods(BZ) and the Lord of kings(CA) and a revealer of mysteries,(CB) for you were able to reveal this mystery.(CC)”
48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high(CD) position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.(CE) 49 Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon,(CF) while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.(CG)
Footnotes
- Daniel 2:2 Or Chaldeans; also in verses 4, 5 and 10
- Daniel 2:3 Or was
- Daniel 2:4 At this point the Hebrew text has in Aramaic, indicating that the text from here through the end of chapter 7 is in Aramaic.
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