⁷ But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and ^(A)pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Pray for All People

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ^2 (A)for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and ^(B)dignified in every way.

¹⁰ that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven ^(A)and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

Submission to Authority

^13 (A)Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,^[a] whether it be to the emperor^[b] as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him ^(B)to punish those who do evil and ^(C)to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, ^(D)that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ^16 (E)Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but ^(F)living as servants^[c] of God. ^17 (G)Honor everyone. ^(H)Love the brotherhood. ^(I)Fear God. Honor the emperor.

²⁷ Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by ^(A)practicing righteousness, ^(B)and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, ^(C)that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

²³ Whatever is decreed by the God of heaven, let it be done in full for the house of the God of heaven, lest his wrath be against the realm of the king and his sons.

Submission to the Authorities

13 Let every person ^(A)be subject to the governing authorities. For ^(B)there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

⁴ Then ^(A)the high officials and ^(B)the satraps ^(C)sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, ^(D)but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, ^(E)and no error or fault was found in him. ⁵ Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

Daniel Interprets the Second Dream

¹⁹ Then Daniel, whose name was ^(A)Belteshazzar, was ^(B)dismayed for a while, and ^(C)his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, ^(D)may the dream be for those who hate you ^(E)and its interpretation for your enemies!