² So the king summoned the magicians,^(A) enchanters, sorcerers^(B) and astrologers^[a](C) to tell him what he had dreamed.^(D) When they came in and stood before the king, ³ he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles^(E) me and I want to know what it means.^[b]”

⁴ Then the astrologers answered the king,^[c](F) “May the king live forever!^(G) Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”

⁵ The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided:^(H) If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces^(I) and your houses turned into piles of rubble.^{(J) 6} But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor.^(K) 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^(L) 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.”^(M)

¹⁰ The astrologers^(N) 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.^(O)

⁵⁸ This is what the Lord Almighty says:

³⁰ That very night Belshazzar,^(A) king^(B) of the Babylonians,^[a] was slain,^(C)

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.^{(A) 16} Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems.^(B) 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,^(C) and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”^(D)