²⁰ for Herod ^(A)feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he ^(B)heard him gladly.

²⁶ But if we say, ‘From man,’ ^(A)we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was ^(B)a prophet.”

⁵ And though he wanted to put him to death, ^(A)he feared the people, because they held him to be ^(B)a prophet.

³⁵ He was a burning and ^(A)shining lamp, and ^(B)you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

¹⁸ And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and ^(A)were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because ^(B)all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

¹⁶ And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it ^(A)with joy.

¹⁷ Then Daniel answered and said before the king, ^(A)“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.

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.”

¹⁸ This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O ^(A)Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because ^(B)all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for ^(C)the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

³² And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and ^(A)plays^[a] well on an instrument, for ^(B)they hear what you say, but they will not do it.