但以理书 5
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
伯沙撒王大宴群臣
5 伯沙撒王為他的一千大臣大擺筵席,他和他們一同喝酒。 2 伯沙撒喝酒歡暢的時候,下令把他先祖尼布甲尼撒從耶路撒冷聖殿裡掠取的金銀器皿拿來,好讓他和他的大臣、妻妾、妃嬪用這些器皿來喝酒。 3 於是人把從耶路撒冷聖殿裡,就是 神的殿裡,掠來的金器皿拿來;王和他的大臣、妻妾、妃嬪就用這些器皿來喝酒。 4 他們喝酒,讚美那些用金、銀、銅、鐵、木、石所做的神。
指頭在牆上寫字
5 當時,忽然有人手的指頭出現,在王宮裡燈臺對面的粉牆上寫字;王看見了那隻正在寫字的手掌, 6 就臉色大變,心意驚惶,兩腳無力,雙膝彼此相碰。 7 王大聲呼叫,吩咐人把那些用法術的和迦勒底人,以及占星家都領進來;王對巴比倫的智慧人說:“誰能讀這文字,又能向我解釋它的意思,他必身穿紫袍,頸戴金鍊,在國中掌權,位列第三。” 8 於是王所有的智慧人都進來,卻不能讀那文字,也不能把意思向王說明。 9 伯沙撒王就非常驚惶,臉色大變;他的大臣也都不知所措。
太后舉薦但以理
10 太后因王和他的大臣所說的話,就進入宴會的大廳,對王說:“願王萬歲!你的心意不要驚惶,也不要臉色大變。 11 在你國中有一個人,他裡面有聖神的靈;你先祖在世的日子,發現這人有灼見,有聰明,有智慧,好像神的智慧一樣。你先祖尼布甲尼撒王,就是王的先祖,曾立他為術士、用法術的,以及迦勒底人和占星家的領袖。 12 這都因為在這但以理裡面有美好的靈性,有知識,有聰明,能解夢,釋謎語,能解答難題;這人尼布甲尼撒王曾給他起名叫伯提沙撒。現在可以把但以理召來,他必能解釋牆上文字的意思。”
13 於是但以理被帶到王面前,王問但以理說:“你就是我先王從猶大擄來的猶大人但以理嗎? 14 我聽說你裡面有神的靈,有灼見,有聰明,有高超的智慧。 15 現在智慧人和用法術的都被帶到我面前了,我要他們讀這文字,把文字的意思向我說明,可是他們都不能解釋這文字的意思。 16 我聽說你能解釋異夢,也能解答難題。現在你若能讀這文字,把它的意思向我說明,就必身穿紫袍,頸戴金鍊,在國中掌權,位列第三。”
但以理直言責王
17 但以理在王面前回答說:“你的禮物可以歸你自己,你的賞賜可以歸給別人;我卻要為王讀這文字,也要把意思向王說明。 18 王啊!至高的 神曾把國位、權勢、光榮和威嚴賜給你先祖尼布甲尼撒。 19 因 神所賜給他的權勢,各國、各族和說各種語言的人,都在他面前戰兢恐懼;他要殺誰,就殺誰;要誰活著,誰就可以活著;要提升誰,就提升誰;要貶低誰,就貶低誰。 20 但他心高氣傲、妄自尊大的時候,就從國位上被趕下來,他的尊榮也被奪去。 21 他被趕逐,離開人群,他的心變如獸心,他和野驢同住,像牛一樣吃草,身體被天露滴濕;等到他承認至高的 神在世人的國中掌權,他喜歡誰,就立誰執掌國權。 22 伯沙撒啊!你是他的子孫,你雖然知道這一切,你的心仍不謙卑, 23 竟高抬自己,敵對天上的主,使人把他殿中的器皿拿到你面前來,你和你的大臣、妻妾、妃嬪用這些器皿喝酒;你又讚美那些不能看見、不能聽見、甚麼都不能知道,用金、銀、銅、鐵、木、石所做的神,卻沒有把榮耀歸給那手中有你的氣息,和那掌管你一切命途的 神。 24 因此,有手從 神那裡伸出來,寫了這文字。
解釋牆上文字的意義
25 “所寫的文字是:‘彌尼,彌尼,提客勒,烏法珥新。’ 26 這文字的意思是這樣:‘彌尼’就是 神已數算了你國度的年日,使國終止; 27 ‘提客勒’就是你被稱在天平上,顯出你的缺欠; 28 ‘毘勒斯’(“毘勒斯”即“烏法珥新”的單數式)就是你的國要分裂,歸給瑪代人和波斯人。”
29 於是伯沙撒下令,人就把紫袍給但以理穿上,把金鍊戴在他的頸上,又宣告他在國中掌權,位列第三。
伯沙撒王被殺而亡國
30 當夜,迦勒底人的王伯沙撒被殺。 31 瑪代人大利烏奪取了迦勒底國;那時他六十二歲。(本節在《馬索拉文本》為6:1)
Daniel 5
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Belshazzar’s Feast
5 King Belshazzar(A) held a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles and drank wine in their presence. 2 Under the influence of[a] the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels(B) that his predecessor[b] Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines could drink from them. 3 So they brought in the gold[c] vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines drank from them. 4 They drank the wine and praised their gods made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.(C)
The Handwriting on the Wall
5 At that moment the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and began writing on the plaster of the king’s palace wall next to the lampstand. As the king watched the hand[d] that was writing, 6 his face turned pale,[e] and his thoughts so terrified him that his hip joints shook and his knees knocked together. 7 The king called out to bring in the mediums, Chaldeans, and astrologers. He said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and gives me its interpretation will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around his neck,(D) and have the third highest position in the kingdom.” 8 So all the king’s wise men came in, but none could read the inscription or make its interpretation known to him. 9 Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face turned pale,[f] and his nobles were bewildered.(E)
10 Because of the outcry of the king and his nobles, the queen[g] came to the banquet hall. “May the king live forever,” she said. “Don’t let your thoughts terrify you or your face be pale.[h] 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him.(F) In the days of your predecessor he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods. Your predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the diviners, mediums, Chaldeans, and astrologers. Your own predecessor, the king, 12 did this because Daniel, the one the king named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and perception, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems.(G) Therefore, summon Daniel, and he will give the interpretation.”
Daniel before the King
13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the Judean exiles that my predecessor the king brought from Judah?(H) 14 I’ve heard that you have the spirit of the gods in you, and that you have insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom. 15 Now the wise men and mediums were brought before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not give its interpretation. 16 However, I have heard about you that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around your neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom.”(I)
17 Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts, and give your rewards to someone else;(J) however, I will read the inscription for the king and make the interpretation known to him. 18 Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty,(K) greatness, glory, and majesty to your predecessor Nebuchadnezzar.(L) 19 Because of the greatness He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages(M) were terrified and fearful of him. He killed anyone he wanted and kept alive anyone he wanted; he exalted anyone he wanted and humbled anyone he wanted. 20 But when his heart was exalted and his spirit became arrogant,(N) he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken from him.(O) 21 He was driven away from people,(P) his mind was like an animal’s, he lived with the wild donkeys,(Q) he was fed grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky until he acknowledged that the Most High God is ruler over the kingdom of men and sets anyone He wants over it.(R)
22 “But you his successor, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart,(S) even though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you and your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them,(T) you praised the gods made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or understand.(U) But you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in His hand and who controls the whole course of your life.[i] 24 Therefore, He sent the hand, and this writing was inscribed.
The Inscription’s Interpretation
25 “This is the writing that was inscribed:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.
26 This is the interpretation of the message:
MENE[j] means that God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end.
27 TEKEL[k] means that you have been weighed in the balance and found deficient.
28 PERES[l][m] means that your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
29 Then Belshazzar gave an order, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck,(V) and issued a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
30 That very night Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans was killed, 31 [n]and Darius the Mede(W) received the kingdom at the age of 62.
Footnotes
- Daniel 5:2 Or When he tasted
- Daniel 5:2 Or father, or grandfather
- Daniel 5:3 Theod, Vg add and silver
- Daniel 5:5 Lit part of the hand
- Daniel 5:6 Lit writing, 6 the king’s brightness changed
- Daniel 5:9 Lit his brightness changed on him
- Daniel 5:10 Perhaps the queen mother
- Daniel 5:10 Lit your brightness change
- Daniel 5:23 Lit and all your ways belong to Him
- Daniel 5:26 Or a mina
- Daniel 5:27 Or a shekel
- Daniel 5:28 Or half a shekel
- Daniel 5:28 In Aram, the word peres is the sg form of “parsin” in v. 25.
- Daniel 5:31 Dn 6:1 in Hb
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
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.