Daniel 5:12-17

New King James Version

¹² Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and ^[a]explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, ^(A)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 ^[b]who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my ^[c]father the king brought from Judah? ¹⁴ I have heard of you, that ^(B)the ^[d]Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. ¹⁵ Now ^(C)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 ^[e]explain enigmas. ^(D)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.