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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

  1. Daniel 5:2 Or ancestor; or predecessor; also in verses 11, 13 and 18
  2. Daniel 5:7 Or Chaldeans; also in verse 11
  3. Daniel 5:10 Or queen mother
  4. Daniel 5:22 Or descendant; or successor
  5. Daniel 5:26 Mene can mean numbered or mina (a unit of money).
  6. Daniel 5:27 Tekel can mean weighed or shekel.
  7. Daniel 5:28 Peres (the singular of Parsin) can mean divided or Persia or a half mina or a half shekel.
  8. Daniel 5:30 Or Chaldeans
  9. Daniel 5:31 In Aramaic texts this verse (5:31) is numbered 6:1.
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Даниил 5
Библия, ревизирано издание

Пирът на Валтасар и тайнственият надпис

5 (A)Цар Валтасар направи голям пир на хиляда от големците си и пиеше вино пред хилядата.

2 (B)Когато пиеше виното, Валтасар заповяда да донесат златните и сребърните съдове, които дядо му Навуходоносор беше задигнал от храма, който беше в Йерусалим, за да пият с тях царят и големците му, жените му и наложниците му.

3 (C)Тогава донесоха златните съдове, които бяха задигнати от храма на Божия дом, който беше в Йерусалим; с тях пиеха царят и големците му, жените му и наложниците му.

4 Пиеха вино и хвалеха златните, сребърните, медните, железните, дървените и каменните богове.

5 (D)В същия час се появиха пръсти на човешка ръка, които пишеха срещу светилника, по мазилката на стената на царския палат; и царят видя тази част от ръката, която пишеше.

6 (E)Тогава изгледът на лицето на царя се измени и мислите му го смущаваха, така че ставите на кръста му се разхлабиха и колената му се удряха едно о друго.

7 (F)Царят извика със силен глас да въведат вражалците, халдейците и астролозите, на които вавилонски мъдреци царят каза: Който прочете това писание и ми яви значението му, ще бъде облечен в багреница, златна огърлица ще се окачи около шията му и ще бъде един от тримата, които ще владеят царството.

8 (G)И така, влязоха всичките царски мъдреци; но не можаха да прочетат написаното, нито да явят на царя значението му.

9 (H)Тогава цар Валтасар се смути много, изгледът на лицето му се измени и големците му се смутиха.

10 (I)Поради думите на царя и на големците му царицата влезе в къщата на пируването и проговори: Царю, да си жив довека! Да не те смущават мислите ти, нито да се изменя лицето ти.

11 (J)Има човек в царството ти, в когото е духът на святите богове; и в дните на дядо ти в него се намериха светлина, разум и мъдрост като мъдростта на боговете; и дядо ти, казвам, царю, го постави началник на влъхвите, вражалците, халдейците и астролозите,

12 (K)защото превъзходен дух и знание, разум за тълкуване на сънища, изясняване на гатанки и разрешаване на загадки се намираха у този Даниил, когото царят преименува Валтасасар. Сега нека бъде повикан Даниил и той ще покаже значението на написаното.

13 Тогава Даниил беше въведен пред царя. Царят му каза: Ти ли си онзи Даниил, който си от пленените юдеи, които дядо ми, царят, доведе от Юдея?

14 (L)Чух за тебе, че духът на боговете бил в теб и че светлина, разум и превъзходна мъдрост се намирали в теб.

15 (M)И сега бяха въведени пред мене мъдреците и вражалците, за да прочетат това писание и ми явят значението му; но те не можаха да разкрият значението му.

16 (N)Но аз чух за тебе, че си могъл да тълкуваш и да разрешаваш загадки; и така, ако можеш да прочетеш написаното и да ми кажеш значението му, ще бъдеш облечен в багреница, златна огърлица ще се окачи около шията ти и ти ще бъдеш един от тримата, които ще владеят царството.

17 Тогава Даниил отговори пред царя: Подаръците ти нека останат за теб и дай на друг наградите си; все пак аз ще прочета на царя написаното и ще му явя значението му.

18 (O)Царю, Всевишният Бог даде на дядо ти Навуходоносор царство и величие, сила и чест;

19 (P)и поради величието, което му даде, всички племена, народи и езици трепереха и се бояха пред него; когото искаше, убиваше, и когото искаше, опазваше жив; когото искаше, възвисяваше, и когото искаше, унижаваше.

20 (Q)Но когато се надигна сърцето му и духът му закоравя, за да постъпва гордо, той беше свален от царския си престол, славата му бе отнета от него

21 (R)и беше изгонен измежду хората; сърцето му стана като на животните и жилището му беше между дивите осли; хранеха го с трева като говедата и тялото му се мокреше от небесната роса, докато призна, че Всевишният Бог владее над царството на хората и поставя над него когото иска.

22 (S)А ти, негов внук, Валтасаре, не си смирил сърцето си, макар и да знаеше всичко това,

23 (T)а си се надигнал против небесния Господ; и донесоха пред тебе съдовете на дома Му, с които пиехте вино ти и големците ти, жените и наложниците ти; и ти славослови сребърните, златните, медните, железните, дървените и каменните богове, които не виждат, нито чуват, нито разбират; а Бога, в Чиято ръка е дишането ти и в Чиято власт са всички твои пътища, не си възвеличил.

24 Затова от Него е била изпратена частта от ръката и това писание бе написано.

25 И ето писанието, което бе написано: М’не, М’не, Т’кел, упарсин[a].

26 Ето и значението му: М’не: Бог е преброил дните на твоето царство и го е свършил;

27 (U)Т’кел: Претеглен си на везните и си бил намерен недостатъчен;

28 (V)П’рес: Царството ти бе разделено и бе дадено на мидяните и персите.

29 (W)Тогава Валтасар заповяда и облякоха Даниил в багреница, окачиха златна огърлица около шията му и прогласиха за него да бъде един от тримата, които да владеят царството.

30 (X)В същата нощ царят на халдейците Валтасар беше убит.

31 (Y)И мидянинът Дарий, който беше на около шестдесет и две години, превзе царството.

Footnotes

  1. 5:25 Преброен, премерен, разделен.
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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

  1. Daniel 5:2 Or ancestor
  2. Daniel 5:7 Lit. with strength
  3. Daniel 5:9 perplexed
  4. Daniel 5:11 Or ancestor
  5. Daniel 5:11 Or ancestor
  6. Daniel 5:12 Lit. untying knots
  7. Daniel 5:13 Lit. who is of the sons of the captivity
  8. Daniel 5:13 Or ancestor
  9. Daniel 5:14 Or spirit of the gods
  10. Daniel 5:16 Lit. untie knots
  11. Daniel 5:18 Or ancestor
  12. Daniel 5:21 Recognized
  13. Daniel 5:23 Exalted
  14. Daniel 5:23 The temple
  15. Daniel 5:24 Lit. palm
  16. Daniel 5:25 Lit. a mina (50 shekels) from the verb “to number”
  17. Daniel 5:25 Lit. a shekel from the verb “to weigh”
  18. Daniel 5:25 Lit. and half-shekels from the verb “to divide”; pl. of Peres, v. 28
  19. Daniel 5:28 Aram. Paras, consonant with Peres
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Daniel 5
English Standard Version

The Handwriting on the Wall

5 (A)King Belshazzar (B)made a great feast for a thousand of his (C)lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.

2 (D)Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that (E)the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father[a] had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought in (F)the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine and (G)praised the (H)gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

5 (I)Immediately (J)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 (K)the hand as it wrote. 6 (L)Then the king's color changed, (M)and his thoughts alarmed him; (N)his limbs gave way, and (O)his knees knocked together. 7 (P)The king called loudly to bring in (Q)the enchanters, the (R)Chaldeans, and (S)the astrologers. The king declared[b] to the wise men of Babylon, (T)“Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and (U)shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Then all the king's wise men came in, but (V)they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly (W)alarmed, and his (X)color changed, and his (Y)lords were perplexed.

10 The queen,[c] because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, (Z)“O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you (AA)or your color change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom (AB)in whom is the spirit of the holy gods.[d] In the days of your father, (AC)light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—(AD)made him chief of the magicians, (AE)enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, 12 (AF)because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and (AG)understanding (AH)to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and (AI)solve problems were found in this Daniel, (AJ)whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”

Daniel Interprets the Handwriting

13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, “You are that Daniel, one of (AK)the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah. 14 I have heard of you that (AL)the spirit of the gods[e] is in you, and that (AM)light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now (AN)the wise men, the (AO)enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but (AP)they could not show the interpretation of the matter. 16 (AQ)But I have heard that you can give interpretations and (AR)solve problems. (AS)Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, (AT)you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and (AU)shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, (AV)“Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, the (AW)Most High God (AX)gave (AY)Nebuchadnezzar your father (AZ)kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. 19 And because of the greatness that he gave him, (BA)all peoples, nations, and languages (BB)trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. 20 But (BC)when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, (BD)he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. 21 (BE)He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, (BF)until he knew that the (BG)Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will. 22 And you his son,[f] (BH)Belshazzar, (BI)have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, 23 but you have lifted up yourself against (BJ)the Lord of heaven. And (BK)the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. (BL)And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, (BM)but the God in whose hand is your breath, and (BN)whose are all your ways, (BO)you have not honored.

24 “Then from his presence (BP)the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. 25 And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. 26 This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered[g] the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; 27 Tekel, (BQ)you have been weighed[h] in the balances and found wanting; 28 Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to (BR)the Medes and (BS)Persians.”[i]

29 Then (BT)Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel (BU)was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 (BV)That very night (BW)Belshazzar the (BX)Chaldean king was killed. 31 [j] And (BY)Darius (BZ)the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 5:2 Or predecessor; also verses 11, 13, 18
  2. Daniel 5:7 Aramaic answered and said; also verse 10
  3. Daniel 5:10 Or queen mother; twice in this verse
  4. Daniel 5:11 Or Spirit of the holy God
  5. Daniel 5:14 Or Spirit of God
  6. Daniel 5:22 Or successor
  7. Daniel 5:26 Mene sounds like the Aramaic for numbered
  8. Daniel 5:27 Tekel sounds like the Aramaic for weighed
  9. Daniel 5:28 Peres (the singular of Parsin) sounds like the Aramaic for divided and for Persia
  10. Daniel 5:31 Ch 6:1 in Aramaic
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

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Библия, ревизирано издание (BPB)

Copyright by © Българско библейско дружество 2015. Използвани с разрешение.

Bulgarian Bible Society
New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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English Standard Version (ESV)

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

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