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Daniel 1-6
New American Standard Bible

The Choice Young Men

1 In the third year of the reign of (A)Jehoiakim king of Judah, (B)Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the (C)Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, along with some of the (D)vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of (E)Shinar, to the house of his [a]god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his [b](F)god.

3 Then the king told Ashpenaz, the chief of his [c]officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the [d]royal (G)family and of the nobles, 4 youths in whom there was (H)no impairment, who were good-looking, suitable for (I)instruction in every kind of expertise, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability to [e]serve in the king’s [f]court; and he ordered Ashpenaz to teach them the [g]literature and (J)language of the (K)Chaldeans. 5 The king also allotted for them a daily ration from the (L)king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and ordered that they be educated for three years, at the end of which they were to [h](M)enter the king’s personal service. 6 Now among them from the sons of Judah were (N)Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name (O)Belteshazzar, to Hananiah (P)Shadrach, to Mishael (Q)Meshach, and to Azariah (R)Abed-nego.

Daniel’s Resolve

8 But Daniel [i]made up his mind that he would not (S)defile himself with the (T)king’s choice food or with the (U)wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God granted Daniel (V)favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials. 10 The commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has allotted your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking gaunt in comparison to the youths who are your own age? Then you would [j]make me forfeit my head to the king.” 11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please put your servants to the test for ten days, and let us be (W)given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be [k]examined in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

14 So he listened to them in this matter, and put them to the test for ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their appearance seemed (X)better, and [l]they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food. 16 So the overseer continued to [m]withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept (Y)giving them vegetables.

17 And as for these four youths, (Z)God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every kind of [n]literature and expertise; Daniel even understood all kinds of (AA)visions and dreams.

18 Then at the end of the days which the king had [o]specified [p]for presenting them, the commander of the officials [q]presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like (AB)Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they [r](AC)entered the king’s personal service. 20 As for every matter of (AD)expertise [s]and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them (AE)ten times (AF)better than all the (AG)soothsayer priests and conjurers who were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel [t]continued until the (AH)first year of Cyrus the king.

The King’s Dream

2 Now in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar [u](AI)had dreams; and his spirit was troubled and his (AJ)sleep [v]left him. 2 Then the king [w]gave orders to call in the (AK)soothsayer priests, the conjurers, the sorcerers, and the [x]Chaldeans, to [y]tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 The king said to them, “I [z](AL)had a dream, and my spirit [aa]is anxious to [ab]understand the dream.”

4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in [ac](AM)Aramaic: “(AN)O king, live forever! (AO)Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.” 5 The king replied to the Chaldeans, “The command [ad]from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you will be [ae](AP)torn limb from limb and your houses will be turned into a rubbish heap. 6 But if you declare the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me (AQ)gifts and a reward and great honor; therefore declare to me the dream and its interpretation.” 7 They answered a second time and said, “Let the king (AR)tell the dream to his servants, and we will declare the interpretation.” 8 The king replied, “I know for certain that you are trying to buy time, because you have perceived that the command [af]from me is firm, 9 that if you do not make the dream known to me, there is only (AS)one [ag]decree for you. For you have agreed together to speak lying and corrupt [ah]words before me until the [ai]situation is changed; therefore tell me the dream, so that I may (AT)know that you can declare to me its interpretation.” 10 The Chaldeans answered [aj]the king and said, “There is no person on earth who could declare the matter [ak]to the king, because no great king or ruler has ever asked anything like this of any (AU)soothsayer priest, sorcerer, or Chaldean. 11 Moreover, the thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it [al]to the king except (AV)gods, whose (AW)dwelling place is not with mortal flesh.”

12 Because of this, the king became (AX)angry and extremely furious, and he gave orders to kill all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the [am]decree was issued that the wise men be killed; and they looked for (AY)Daniel and his friends, to [an]kill them.

14 Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to (AZ)Arioch, the captain of the king’s [ao]bodyguard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; 15 he said to Arioch, the king’s officer, “For what reason is the decree from the king so harsh?” Then Arioch informed Daniel of the matter. 16 So Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him a grace period, so that he might declare the interpretation to the king.

17 Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, (BA)Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, 18 so that they might (BB)request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his friends would not be (BC)killed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

The Secret Is Revealed to Daniel

19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night (BD)vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; 20 Daniel said,

“May the name of God be (BE)blessed forever and ever,
For (BF)wisdom and power belong to Him.
21 It is He who (BG)changes the times and the periods;
He (BH)removes kings and appoints kings;
He gives (BI)wisdom to wise men,
And knowledge to [ap]people of understanding.
22 It is He who (BJ)reveals the profound and hidden things;
(BK)He knows what is in the darkness,
And the (BL)light dwells with Him.
23 To You, (BM)God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For You have given me (BN)wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we (BO)requested of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”

24 Thereupon, Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to kill the wise men of Babylon; he went and said this to him: “(BP)Do not kill the wise men of Babylon! Take me [aq]into the king’s presence, and I will declare the interpretation to the king.”

25 Then Arioch hurriedly (BQ)brought Daniel [ar]into the king’s presence and spoke to him as follows: “I have found a man among the [as](BR)exiles from Judah who can make the interpretation known to the king!” 26 The king said to Daniel, whose name was (BS)Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered before the king and said, “As for the secret about which the king has inquired, neither (BT)wise men, sorcerers, soothsayer priests, nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. 28 However, there is a (BU)God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the [at](BV)latter days. This was your dream and the (BW)visions [au]in your mind while on your bed. 29 As for you, O king, while on your bed your thoughts [av]turned to what would take place [aw]in the future; and (BX)He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will take place. 30 But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me [ax]for any (BY)wisdom [ay]residing in me more than in any other living person, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, and that you may understand the (BZ)thoughts of your [az]mind.

The King’s Dream

31 “You, O king, were watching and behold, there was a single great statue; that statue, which was large and [ba]of extraordinary radiance, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was [bb](CA)awesome. 32 The (CB)head of that statue was made of fine gold, its chest and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, and its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 You [bc]continued watching until a (CC)stone was broken off (CD)without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and (CE)crushed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed to pieces [bd]all at the same time, and they were (CF)like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that (CG)not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great (CH)mountain and filled the entire earth.

The Interpretation—Babylon the First Kingdom

36 “This was the dream; and now we will tell (CI)its interpretation before the king. 37 You, O king, are the (CJ)king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the [be]kingdom, the (CK)power, the strength, and the honor; 38 and wherever the sons of mankind live, or the (CL)animals of the field, or the birds of the sky, He has handed them over to you and has made you ruler over them all. You are the head of gold.

Medo-Persia and Greece

39 And after you another kingdom will arise inferior to you, then another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over all the earth.

Rome

40 Then there will be a (CM)fourth kingdom as strong as iron; just as iron smashes and crushes everything, so, like iron that crushes, it will smash and crush all these things. 41 And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have within it some of the toughness of iron, since you saw the iron mixed with [bf]common clay. 42 And just as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong, and part of it will be fragile. 43 In that you saw the iron mixed with [bg]common clay, they will combine with one another [bh]in [bi]their descendants; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not combine with pottery.

The Divine Kingdom

44 And in the days of those kings the (CN)God of heaven will (CO)set up a (CP)kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be [bj]left for another people; it will (CQ)crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. 45 Just as you saw that a (CR)stone was broken off from the mountain without hands, and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the (CS)great God has made known to the king what (CT)will take place [bk]in the future; so the dream is certain and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

Daniel Promoted

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and paid (CU)humble respect to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and (CV)incense. 47 The king responded to Daniel and said, “(CW)Your God truly is a (CX)God of gods and a Lord of kings and a (CY)revealer of secrets, since you have been able to reveal this secret.” 48 Then the king [bl](CZ)promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the entire (DA)province of Babylon, and chief [bm]prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 And Daniel made a request of the king, and he (DB)appointed (DC)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego over the administration of the province of Babylon, while Daniel was at the king’s [bn](DD)court.

The King’s Golden Image

3 Nebuchadnezzar the king made a (DE)statue of gold, the height of which was [bo]sixty cubits, and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the (DF)province of Babylon. 2 Nebuchadnezzar the king also sent word to assemble the (DG)satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the chief treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the administrators of the provinces to come to the dedication of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the chief treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the administrators of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed: “To you [bp]the command is given, you (DH)peoples, nations, and populations of all [bq]languages, 5 that at the moment you (DI)hear the sound of the horn, flute, [br]lyre, [bs]trigon, [bt]psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. 6 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be (DJ)thrown into the middle of a (DK)furnace of blazing fire.” 7 Therefore as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, [bu]lyre, trigon, psaltery, [bv]bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [bw]languages fell down and worshiped the golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Worship of the Image Refused

8 For this reason at that time certain (DL)Chaldeans came forward and [bx](DM)brought charges against the Jews. 9 They began to speak and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: “(DN)O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have (DO)made a decree that every person who hears the sound of the horn, flute, [by]lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, is to (DP)fall down and worship the golden statue. 11 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have (DQ)appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods, nor do they worship the golden statue which you have set up.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in (DR)rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar began speaking and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that you do not serve (DS)my gods, nor worship the golden statue that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready, (DT)at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, [bz]lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will [ca]immediately be (DU)thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and (DV)what god is there who can rescue you from my hands?”

16 (DW)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we are not in need of an answer to give you concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our (DX)God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; [cb]and (DY)He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 (DZ)But even if He does not, (EA)let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.”

Daniel’s Friends Protected

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with (EB)wrath, and his facial expression was changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. He answered [cc]by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in order to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 Then these men were tied up in their (EC)trousers, their [cd]coats, their caps, and their other clothes, and were thrown into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire. 22 For this reason, because the king’s [ce]command was (ED)harsh and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. 23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, (EE)fell into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up quickly; he said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the middle of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Absolutely, O king.” 25 He responded, “Look! I see four men untied and (EF)walking about in the middle of the fire [cf]unharmed, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the (EG)gods!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the (EH)Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (EI)came out of the middle of the fire. 27 The (EJ)satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the (EK)fire had no [cg]effect on [ch]the bodies of these men, nor was the hair of their heads singed, nor were their [ci](EL)trousers [cj]damaged, nor had even the smell of fire touched them.

28 Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the (EM)God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who has (EN)sent His angel and rescued His servants who put their (EO)trust in Him, [ck]violating the king’s command, and surrendered their bodies (EP)rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I (EQ)make a decree that any people, nation, or population of any language that speaks anything offensive against the God of (ER)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their (ES)houses made a rubbish heap, because there is (ET)no other god who is able to save in this way.” 30 Then the king (EU)made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego prosperous in the province of Babylon.

The King Acknowledges God

4 [cl]Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [cm]languages who live in all the earth: “May your [cn](EV)peace be great! 2 I am pleased to declare the signs and miracles that the (EW)Most High God has done for me.

3 How great are His (EX)signs
And how mighty are His miracles!
His (EY)kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.

The Vision of a Great Tree

4 “[co]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and (EZ)happy in my palace. 5 I saw a (FA)dream and it startled me; and these appearances as I lay on my bed and the (FB)visions [cp]in my mind kept alarming me. 6 So I gave orders to (FC)bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, so that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the (FD)soothsayer priests, the sorcerers, the [cq]Chaldeans, and the diviners came in and I related the dream [cr]to them, but they could not make its (FE)interpretation known to me. 8 But finally Daniel came in before me, whose name is (FF)Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is [cs](FG)a spirit of the holy gods; and I related the dream [ct]to him, saying, 9 ‘Belteshazzar, (FH)chief of the soothsayer priests, since I know that (FI)a spirit of the holy gods is in you and (FJ)no secret baffles you, (FK)tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.

10 ‘Now these were the (FL)visions [cu]in my mind as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a (FM)tree in the middle of the [cv]earth and its height was great.

11 The tree grew large and became strong
And its height (FN)reached to the sky,
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
12 Its foliage was (FO)beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The (FP)animals of the field [cw]found (FQ)shade under it,
And the (FR)birds of the sky lived in its branches,
And all [cx]living creatures fed from it.

13 ‘I was looking in the (FS)visions [cy]in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, (FT)an angelic watcher, a (FU)holy one, descended from heaven.

14 He shouted out and spoke as follows:
“(FV)Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Shake off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the (FW)animals flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 Yet (FX)leave the stump [cz]with its roots in the ground,
But with a band of iron and bronze around it
In the new grass of the field;
And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
And let [da]him share with the animals in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his [db]mind change from that of a human
And let an animal’s [dc]mind be given to him,
And let (FY)seven [dd]periods of time pass over him.
17 This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers,
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may (FZ)know
That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,
And (GA)He grants it to whomever He wishes
And sets over it the (GB)lowliest of people.”

18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, since none of the (GC)wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, because a (GD)spirit of the holy gods is in you.’

Daniel Interprets the Vision

19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his (GE)thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not (GF)let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’ Belteshazzar replied, ‘(GG)My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you, and its interpretation to (GH)your adversaries! 20 The (GI)tree that you saw, which became large and grew strong, whose height reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, 21 and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the animals of the field lived and in whose branches the birds of the sky settled— 22 it is (GJ)you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your [de]majesty has become great and reached to the sky, and your (GK)dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And in that the king saw an angelic watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “(GL)Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump [df]with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let [dg]him share with the animals of the field until (GM)seven [dh]periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has (GN)come upon my lord the king: 25 that you be (GO)driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the animals of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven [di]periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the (GP)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and (GQ)bestows it on whomever He wishes. 26 And in that it was commanded to (GR)leave the stump [dj]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will [dk]remain as yours after you recognize that it is (GS)Heaven that rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (GT)advice be pleasing to you: (GU)wipe away your sin by doing righteousness, and your wrongdoings by (GV)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (GW)prolonging of your prosperity.’

The Vision Fulfilled

28 “All of this (GX)happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (GY)Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king began speaking and was saying, ‘Is this not Babylon the (GZ)great, which I myself have built as a royal [dl]residence by the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty?’ 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice [dm]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: [dn]sovereignty has been removed from you, 32 and (HA)you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the animals of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and (HB)seven [do]periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the (HC)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was (HD)driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

34 “But at the end of [dp]that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my [dq]reason returned to me, and I blessed the (HE)Most High and praised and honored (HF)Him who lives forever;

For His dominion is an (HG)everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 (HH)All the inhabitants of the earth are of no account,
But (HI)He does according to His will among the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And (HJ)no one can [dr]fend off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘(HK)What have You done?’

36 At that time my [ds](HL)reason returned to me. And my majesty and (HM)splendor were [dt]restored to me for the honor of my kingdom, and my state counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my [du]sovereignty, and surpassing (HN)greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of (HO)heaven, for (HP)all His works are [dv]true and His ways [dw]just; and He is able to humble those who (HQ)walk in pride.”

Belshazzar’s Feast

5 Belshazzar the king [dx]held a great (HR)feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking wine in the presence of the thousand. 2 [dy]While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring the gold and silver (HS)vessels which his [dz]father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines could drink out of them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God which was in Jerusalem; and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank out of them. 4 They (HT)drank the wine and praised the gods of (HU)gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

5 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing. 6 Then the king’s [ea](HV)face became pale and his thoughts alarmed him, and his (HW)hip joints [eb]loosened and his (HX)knees began knocking together. 7 The king called aloud to bring in the (HY)sorcerers, the [ec]Chaldeans, and the diviners. The king began speaking and said to the wise men of Babylon, “Anyone who can read this inscription and explain its interpretation to me shall be (HZ)clothed with purple and have a (IA)necklace of gold around his neck, and have authority as (IB)third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but (IC)they could not read the inscription or make known its interpretation to the king. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly (ID)alarmed, his [ed](IE)face grew even more pale, and his nobles were perplexed.

10 The queen entered the banquet [ee]hall because of the words of the king and his nobles; the queen began to speak and said, “(IF)O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts alarm you or your [ef]face be pale. 11 There is a (IG)man in your kingdom in whom is [eg]a (IH)spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, illumination, insight, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father [eh](II)the king—appointed him chief of the soothsayer priests, sorcerers, Chaldeans, and diviners. 12 This was because an (IJ)extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of riddles, and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named (IK)Belteshazzar. Let Daniel now be summoned and he will declare the interpretation.”

Daniel Interprets the Handwriting on the Wall

13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king began speaking and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the [ei](IL)exiles from Judah, whom my father the king (IM)brought from Judah? 14 Now I have heard about you that [ej]a spirit of the gods is in you, and that illumination, insight, and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you. 15 Just now the (IN)wise men and the sorcerers were brought in before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they (IO)could not declare the interpretation of the [ek]message. 16 But I personally have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Now if you are able to read the inscription and make its (IP)interpretation known to me, you will be (IQ)clothed with purple and wear a necklace of gold around your neck, and you will have authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.”

17 Then Daniel replied and said before the king, “[el]Keep your (IR)gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him. 18 [em]O king, the (IS)Most High God (IT)granted [en]sovereignty, (IU)greatness, honor, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. 19 Now because of the greatness which He granted him, all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [eo]languages trembled and feared in his presence; (IV)whomever he wished, he killed, and whomever he wished, he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated, and whomever he wished he humbled. 20 But when his heart [ep]was (IW)arrogant and his spirit became so [eq](IX)overbearing that he behaved presumptuously, he was (IY)deposed from his royal throne, and his dignity was taken away from him. 21 He was also (IZ)driven away from [er]mankind, and his heart was made like that of animals, and his dwelling place was with the (JA)wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he recognized that the (JB)Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes. 22 Yet you, his [es]son, Belshazzar, have (JC)not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, 23 but you have (JD)risen up against the (JE)Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives, and your concubines have been drinking wine out of them; and you have praised the (JF)gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see, nor hear, nor understand. But the God (JG)in whose hand are your life-breath and all your (JH)ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the [et](JI)hand was sent from Him and this inscription was written out.

25 “Now this is the inscription that was written:

‘[eu]Menē, [ev]Menē, [ew]Tekēl, [ex]Upharsin.’

26 This is the interpretation of the [ey]message: ‘Menē’—God has numbered your kingdom and (JJ)put an end to it. 27 ‘Tekēl’—you have been (JK)weighed on the scales and found deficient. 28 ‘[ez]Perēs’—your kingdom has been divided and given to the (JL)Medes and [fa]Persians.”

29 Then Belshazzar gave orders, and they (JM)clothed Daniel with purple and put a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 That same night (JN)Belshazzar the Chaldean king was (JO)killed. 31 [fb]So (JP)Darius the Mede received the kingdom at about the age of sixty-two.

Daniel Serves Darius

6 [fc]It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, to be in charge of the whole kingdom, 2 and over them, three commissioners (of whom (JQ)Daniel was one), so that these satraps would be accountable to them, and that the king would not [fd]suffer (JR)loss. 3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself [fe]among the commissioners and satraps because [ff]he possessed an (JS)extraordinary spirit, and the king intended to appoint him over the (JT)entire kingdom. 4 Then the commissioners and satraps began (JU)trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel regarding [fg]government affairs; but they could find (JV)no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him regarding the (JW)law of his God.”

6 Then these commissioners and satraps came [fh]by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, (JX)live forever! 7 All the (JY)commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have (JZ)consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall (KA)be thrown into the lions’ [fi]den. 8 Now, O king, (KB)establish the injunction and sign the document so that it will not be changed, according to the (KC)law of the Medes and Persians, which [fj]may not be revoked.” 9 Thereupon, King Darius (KD)signed the document, that is, the injunction.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the document was signed, he entered his house (and in his roof chamber he had windows open (KE)toward Jerusalem); and he continued (KF)kneeling on his knees three times a day, (KG)praying and (KH)offering praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously. 11 Then these men came [fk](KI)by agreement and found Daniel offering a prayer and imploring favor before his God. 12 Then they approached and (KJ)spoke before the king about the king’s injunction: “Did you not sign an injunction that any person who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the (KK)law of the Medes and Persians, which [fl]may not be revoked.” 13 Then they responded and spoke before the king, “(KL)Daniel, who is one of the [fm]exiles from Judah, pays (KM)no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps offering his prayer three times a day.”

14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply (KN)distressed, and set his mind on rescuing Daniel; and until sunset he kept exerting himself to save him. 15 Then these men came [fn]by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a (KO)law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and (KP)thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “[fo](KQ)Your God whom you continually serve will Himself rescue you.” 17 And a (KR)stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed regarding Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night (KS)fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his (KT)sleep fled from him.

19 Then the king got up at dawn, at the break of day, and went in a hurry to the lions’ den. 20 And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king began speaking and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has (KU)your God, whom you continually serve, been (KV)able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel spoke [fp]to the king, “(KW)O king, live forever! 22 My God (KX)sent His angel and (KY)shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, since [fq]I was found innocent before Him; and also [fr]toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” 23 Then the king was very glad and gave orders for Daniel to be lifted up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted up out of the den, and (KZ)no injury whatever was found on him, because he had (LA)trusted in his God. 24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had [fs]maliciously accused Daniel, and they (LB)threw them, their (LC)children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then Darius the king wrote to all the (LD)peoples, nations, and populations of all [ft]languages who were living in all the land: “(LE)May your [fu]peace be great! 26 [fv]I (LF)issue a decree that in all the realm of my kingdom people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel;

For He is the (LG)living God and (LH)enduring forever,
And (LI)His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed,
And His dominion will be [fw]forever.
27 He rescues, saves, and performs (LJ)signs and miracles
In heaven and on earth,
He who has also rescued Daniel from the [fx]power of the lions.”

28 So this (LK)Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of (LL)Cyrus the Persian.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 1:2 Or gods
  2. Daniel 1:2 Or gods
  3. Daniel 1:3 Or eunuchs, and so throughout the ch
  4. Daniel 1:3 Lit seed of the monarchy
  5. Daniel 1:4 Lit stand
  6. Daniel 1:4 Lit palace
  7. Daniel 1:4 Or writing
  8. Daniel 1:5 Lit stand before the king
  9. Daniel 1:8 Lit set upon his heart
  10. Daniel 1:10 Lit make my head guilty
  11. Daniel 1:13 Lit seen
  12. Daniel 1:15 Lit fat of flesh
  13. Daniel 1:16 Lit take away
  14. Daniel 1:17 Or writing
  15. Daniel 1:18 Lit said
  16. Daniel 1:18 Lit to bring them in
  17. Daniel 1:18 Lit brought them in
  18. Daniel 1:19 Lit stood before the king
  19. Daniel 1:20 Lit of
  20. Daniel 1:21 Lit was until
  21. Daniel 2:1 Lit dreamed dreams
  22. Daniel 2:1 Lit was gone upon him
  23. Daniel 2:2 Lit said to call
  24. Daniel 2:2 Probably master astrologers, diviners, etc., and so throughout the ch
  25. Daniel 2:2 Lit explain to
  26. Daniel 2:3 Lit dreamed
  27. Daniel 2:3 Lit was troubled
  28. Daniel 2:3 Lit know
  29. Daniel 2:4 The text is in Aramaic from here through 7:28
  30. Daniel 2:5 Another reading is is issued by me
  31. Daniel 2:5 Lit turned into limbs
  32. Daniel 2:8 See note 1 v 5
  33. Daniel 2:9 Or verdict
  34. Daniel 2:9 Lit word
  35. Daniel 2:9 Lit time
  36. Daniel 2:10 Lit before the
  37. Daniel 2:10 Lit of
  38. Daniel 2:11 Lit before
  39. Daniel 2:13 Or law
  40. Daniel 2:13 Lit be killed
  41. Daniel 2:14 Or executioners
  42. Daniel 2:21 Lit knowers of
  43. Daniel 2:24 Lit in before the king
  44. Daniel 2:25 Lit in before the king
  45. Daniel 2:25 Lit sons of the exile of
  46. Daniel 2:28 Lit end of the days
  47. Daniel 2:28 Lit of your head
  48. Daniel 2:29 Lit came up
  49. Daniel 2:29 Lit after this
  50. Daniel 2:30 Or through
  51. Daniel 2:30 Lit which is
  52. Daniel 2:30 Lit heart
  53. Daniel 2:31 Lit its radiance was extraordinary
  54. Daniel 2:31 Or dreadful
  55. Daniel 2:34 Lit were
  56. Daniel 2:35 Lit as one
  57. Daniel 2:37 Or sovereignty
  58. Daniel 2:41 Lit wet clay
  59. Daniel 2:43 Lit wet clay
  60. Daniel 2:43 Or with
  61. Daniel 2:43 Lit the seed of men
  62. Daniel 2:44 Or passed on to
  63. Daniel 2:45 Lit after this
  64. Daniel 2:48 Lit made Daniel great
  65. Daniel 2:48 Lit of the prefects
  66. Daniel 2:49 Lit gate
  67. Daniel 3:1 About 90 ft. high and 9 ft. wide or 27 m and 2.7 m
  68. Daniel 3:4 Lit they command
  69. Daniel 3:4 Lit tongues
  70. Daniel 3:5 Or zither
  71. Daniel 3:5 I.e., triangular lyre
  72. Daniel 3:5 Or a type of harp
  73. Daniel 3:7 See notes v 5
  74. Daniel 3:7 MT omits bagpipe
  75. Daniel 3:7 Lit tongues
  76. Daniel 3:8 Lit ate the pieces of
  77. Daniel 3:10 See notes v 5
  78. Daniel 3:15 See notes 1, 2, 3 v 5
  79. Daniel 3:15 Or in the same hour
  80. Daniel 3:17 Or then
  81. Daniel 3:19 Lit and ordered to
  82. Daniel 3:21 Or cloaks
  83. Daniel 3:22 Lit word
  84. Daniel 3:25 Lit there is no injury in them
  85. Daniel 3:27 Lit power over
  86. Daniel 3:27 Lit their
  87. Daniel 3:27 Or coats
  88. Daniel 3:27 Lit changed
  89. Daniel 3:28 Lit and changed the king’s word
  90. Daniel 4:1 Ch 3:31 in Aram
  91. Daniel 4:1 Lit tongues
  92. Daniel 4:1 Or welfare; or prosperity
  93. Daniel 4:4 Ch 4:1 in Aram
  94. Daniel 4:5 Lit of my head
  95. Daniel 4:7 Probably master astrologers, diviners, etc.
  96. Daniel 4:7 Lit before
  97. Daniel 4:8 Or possibly the Spirit of the holy God, and so throughout the ch
  98. Daniel 4:8 Lit before
  99. Daniel 4:10 Lit of my head
  100. Daniel 4:10 Or land, and so throughout the ch
  101. Daniel 4:12 Or dwelt under it
  102. Daniel 4:12 Lit flesh
  103. Daniel 4:13 Lit of my head
  104. Daniel 4:15 Lit of
  105. Daniel 4:15 Lit his share be with
  106. Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
  107. Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
  108. Daniel 4:16 I.e., years
  109. Daniel 4:22 Lit greatness
  110. Daniel 4:23 Lit of
  111. Daniel 4:23 Lit his share be with
  112. Daniel 4:23 I.e., years
  113. Daniel 4:25 I.e., years
  114. Daniel 4:26 Lit of
  115. Daniel 4:26 Lit be enduring to you
  116. Daniel 4:30 Lit house
  117. Daniel 4:31 Lit fell
  118. Daniel 4:31 Or kingdom
  119. Daniel 4:32 I.e., years
  120. Daniel 4:34 Lit the days
  121. Daniel 4:34 Lit understanding
  122. Daniel 4:35 Lit strike against
  123. Daniel 4:36 Lit understanding
  124. Daniel 4:36 Lit returning
  125. Daniel 4:36 Or kingdom
  126. Daniel 4:37 Lit truth
  127. Daniel 4:37 Lit justice
  128. Daniel 5:1 Lit made
  129. Daniel 5:2 Or Under the influence of the wine
  130. Daniel 5:2 Or forefather, and so throughout the ch
  131. Daniel 5:6 Lit brightness changed for him
  132. Daniel 5:6 Or shook
  133. Daniel 5:7 I.e., probably master astrologers, diviners, etc., and so throughout the ch
  134. Daniel 5:9 Lit brightness was changing upon him
  135. Daniel 5:10 Lit house
  136. Daniel 5:10 Lit brightness be changed
  137. Daniel 5:11 Or possibly the Spirit of the holy God
  138. Daniel 5:11 Or O king
  139. Daniel 5:13 Lit sons of the exile
  140. Daniel 5:14 Or possibly the Spirit of God
  141. Daniel 5:15 Lit word
  142. Daniel 5:17 Lit Let...be for
  143. Daniel 5:18 Lit You, O king
  144. Daniel 5:18 Or the kingdom
  145. Daniel 5:19 Lit tongues
  146. Daniel 5:20 Lit rose up
  147. Daniel 5:20 Lit strong
  148. Daniel 5:21 Lit the sons of mankind
  149. Daniel 5:22 Or descendant
  150. Daniel 5:24 Lit palm of the hand
  151. Daniel 5:25 Or a mina (50 shekels) from verb “to count”
  152. Daniel 5:25 Or a mina (50 shekels) from verb “to count”
  153. Daniel 5:25 Or a shekel from verb “to weigh”
  154. Daniel 5:25 Or and half-shekels (singular: perēs) from verb “to divide”
  155. Daniel 5:26 Lit word
  156. Daniel 5:28 Or half-shekel from verb “to divide”
  157. Daniel 5:28 Aram: Pāras
  158. Daniel 5:31 Ch 6:1 in Aram
  159. Daniel 6:1 Ch 6:2 in Aram
  160. Daniel 6:2 Or come to grief
  161. Daniel 6:3 Lit above
  162. Daniel 6:3 Lit there was in him
  163. Daniel 6:4 Lit the kingdom
  164. Daniel 6:6 Or as a group
  165. Daniel 6:7 Or pit, and so throughout the ch
  166. Daniel 6:8 Lit does not pass away
  167. Daniel 6:11 Or as a group
  168. Daniel 6:12 Lit does not go away
  169. Daniel 6:13 Lit sons of the exile
  170. Daniel 6:15 Or as a group
  171. Daniel 6:16 Or May your God...Himself rescue you
  172. Daniel 6:21 Lit with
  173. Daniel 6:22 Lit innocence was found for me
  174. Daniel 6:22 Lit before
  175. Daniel 6:24 Lit eaten the pieces of Daniel
  176. Daniel 6:25 Lit tongues
  177. Daniel 6:25 Or welfare; or prosperity
  178. Daniel 6:26 Lit From me a decree is issued
  179. Daniel 6:26 Lit to the end
  180. Daniel 6:27 Lit hand
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Daniel 1-6
New International Version

Daniel’s Training in Babylon

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim(A) king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar(B) king of Babylon(C) came to Jerusalem and besieged it.(D) 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried(E) off to the temple of his god in Babylonia[a] and put in the treasure house of his god.(F)

3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility(G)— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome,(H) showing aptitude for every kind of learning,(I) well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language(J) and literature of the Babylonians.[b] 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine(K) from the king’s table.(L) They were to be trained for three years,(M) and after that they were to enter the king’s service.(N)

6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel,(O) Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.(P) 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar;(Q) to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.(R)

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile(S) himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor(T) and compassion(U) to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[c] food and drink.(V) Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test(W) your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”(X) 14 So he agreed to this and tested(Y) them for ten days.

15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.(Z) 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.(AA)

17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding(AB) of all kinds of literature and learning.(AC) And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.(AD)

18 At the end of the time(AE) set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service.(AF) 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians(AG) and enchanters in his whole kingdom.(AH)

21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.(AI)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

2 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams;(AJ) his mind was troubled(AK) and he could not sleep.(AL) 2 So the king summoned the magicians,(AM) enchanters, sorcerers(AN) and astrologers[d](AO) to tell him what he had dreamed.(AP) When they came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles(AQ) me and I want to know what it means.[e]”

4 Then the astrologers answered the king,[f](AR) “May the king live forever!(AS) Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”

5 The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided:(AT) If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces(AU) and your houses turned into piles of rubble.(AV) 6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor.(AW) 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(AX) 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.”(AY)

10 The astrologers(AZ) 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.(BA) 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods,(BB) and they do not live among humans.”

12 This made the king so angry and furious(BC) that he ordered the execution(BD) of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.(BE)

14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.

17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.(BF) 18 He urged them to plead for mercy(BG) from the God of heaven(BH) concerning this mystery,(BI) so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery(BJ) was revealed to Daniel in a vision.(BK) Then Daniel praised the God of heaven(BL) 20 and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;(BM)
    wisdom and power(BN) are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;(BO)
    he deposes(BP) kings and raises up others.(BQ)
He gives wisdom(BR) to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.(BS)
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;(BT)
    he knows what lies in darkness,(BU)
    and light(BV) dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:(BW)
    You have given me wisdom(BX) and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.(BY)”

Daniel Interprets the Dream

24 Then Daniel went to Arioch,(BZ) whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”

25 Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles(CA) from Judah(CB) who can tell the king what his dream means.”

26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar),(CC) “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”

27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about,(CD) 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.(CE) He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.(CF) Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind(CG) as you were lying in bed(CH) are these:(CI)

29 “As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.(CJ) 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed(CK) to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.

31 “Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue,(CL) awesome(CM) in appearance. 32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands.(CN) It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed(CO) them.(CP) 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away(CQ) without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain(CR) and filled the whole earth.(CS)

36 “This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king.(CT) 37 Your Majesty, you are the king of kings.(CU) The God of heaven has given you dominion(CV) and power and might and glory; 38 in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all.(CW) You are that head of gold.

39 “After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth.(CX) 40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.(CY) 41 Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. 42 As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.

44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush(CZ) all those kingdoms(DA) and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.(DB) 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock(DC) cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands(DD)—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.

“The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future.(DE) The dream is true(DF) and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate(DG) before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering(DH) and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods(DI) and the Lord of kings(DJ) and a revealer of mysteries,(DK) for you were able to reveal this mystery.(DL)”

48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high(DM) position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.(DN) 49 Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon,(DO) while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.(DP)

The Image of Gold and the Blazing Furnace

3 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image(DQ) of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,[g] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps,(DR) prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials(DS) to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language,(DT) this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp,(DU) pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image(DV) of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.(DW) 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”(DX)

7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.(DY)

8 At this time some astrologers[h](DZ) came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever!(EA) 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree(EB) that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,(EC) 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego(ED)—who pay no attention(EE) to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”(EF)

13 Furious(EG) with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods(EH) or worship the image(EI) of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god(EJ) will be able to rescue(EK) you from my hand?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego(EL) replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver(EM) us from it, and he will deliver(EN) us[i] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.(EO)”

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven(EP) times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego(EQ) and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,(ER) 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”

25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God,(ES) come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers(ET) crowded around them.(EU) They saw that the fire(EV) had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel(EW) and rescued(EX) his servants! They trusted(EY) in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.(EZ) 29 Therefore I decree(FA) that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble,(FB) for no other god can save(FC) in this way.”

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.(FD)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

4 [j]King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the nations and peoples of every language,(FE) who live in all the earth:

May you prosper greatly!(FF)

2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs(FG) and wonders that the Most High God(FH) has performed for me.

3 How great are his signs,
    how mighty his wonders!(FI)
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
    his dominion endures(FJ) from generation to generation.

4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented(FK) and prosperous. 5 I had a dream(FL) that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed,(FM) the images and visions that passed through my mind(FN) terrified me.(FO) 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret(FP) the dream for me. 7 When the magicians,(FQ) enchanters, astrologers[k] and diviners(FR) came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.(FS) 8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar,(FT) after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods(FU) is in him.)

9 I said, “Belteshazzar, chief(FV) of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods(FW) is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed:(FX) I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.(FY) 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.(FZ) 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches;(GA) from it every creature was fed.

13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed,(GB) I looked, and there before me was a holy one,(GC) a messenger,[l] coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree(GD) and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.(GE) 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.

“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[m] pass by for him.(GF)

17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(GG) is sovereign(GH) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(GI) of people.’

18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me.(GJ) But you can,(GK) because the spirit of the holy gods(GL) is in you.”(GM)

Daniel Interprets the Dream

19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified(GN) him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”(GO)

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds(GP)— 22 Your Majesty, you are that tree!(GQ) You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.(GR)

23 “Your Majesty saw a holy one,(GS) a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’(GT)

24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree(GU) the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched(GV) with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High(GW) is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.(GX) 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots(GY) means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.(GZ) 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.(HA) It may be that then your prosperity(HB) will continue.(HC)”

The Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened(HD) to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory(HE) of my majesty?”(HF)

31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.(HG) 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”(HH)

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched(HI) with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.(HJ)

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity(HK) was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.(HL)

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom(HM) endures from generation to generation.(HN)
35 All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.(HO)
He does as he pleases(HP)
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back(HQ) his hand(HR)
    or say to him: “What have you done?”(HS)

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.(HT) My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt(HU) and glorify(HV) the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.(HW) And those who walk in pride(HX) he is able to humble.(HY)

The Writing on the Wall

5 King Belshazzar(HZ) gave a great banquet(IA) for a thousand of his nobles(IB) and drank wine with them. 2 While Belshazzar was drinking(IC) his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets(ID) that Nebuchadnezzar his father[n] had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines(IE) might drink from them.(IF) 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(IG) of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.(IH)

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(II) and he was so frightened(IJ) that his legs became weak(IK) and his knees were knocking.(IL)

7 The king summoned the enchanters,(IM) astrologers[o](IN) and diviners.(IO) Then he said to these wise(IP) 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,(IQ) and he will be made the third(IR) highest ruler in the kingdom.”(IS)

8 Then all the king’s wise men(IT) came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.(IU) 9 So King Belshazzar became even more terrified(IV) and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.

10 The queen,[p] hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!”(IW) 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(IX) in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom(IY) like that of the gods.(IZ) Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.(JA) 12 He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar,(JB) was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles(JC) and solve difficult problems.(JD) Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.(JE)”

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?(JF) 14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods(JG) is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.(JH) 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.(JI) 16 Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems.(JJ) 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,(JK) and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”(JL)

17 Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else.(JM) 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(JN) sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor.(JO) 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;(JP) those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled.(JQ) 20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride,(JR) he was deposed from his royal throne(JS) and stripped(JT) of his glory.(JU) 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(JV) over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.(JW)

22 “But you, Belshazzar, his son,[q] have not humbled(JX) yourself, though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have set yourself up against(JY) the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives(JZ) 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.(KA) But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life(KB) and all your ways.(KC) 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[r]: God has numbered the days(KD) of your reign and brought it to an end.(KE)

27 Tekel[s]: You have been weighed on the scales(KF) and found wanting.(KG)

28 Peres[t]: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes(KH) and Persians.”(KI)

29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck,(KJ) and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.(KK)

30 That very night Belshazzar,(KL) king(KM) of the Babylonians,[u] was slain,(KN) 31 and Darius(KO) the Mede(KP) took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.[v]

Daniel in the Den of Lions

6 [w]It pleased Darius(KQ) to appoint 120 satraps(KR) to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel.(KS) The satraps were made accountable(KT) to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.(KU) 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges(KV) against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”(KW)

6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever!(KX) 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors(KY) have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.(KZ) 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”(LA) 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward(LB) Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees(LC) and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.(LD) 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.(LE) 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”(LF)

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,(LG) pays no attention(LH) to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed;(LI) he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”(LJ)

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.(LK) The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue(LL) you!”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed(LM) it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating(LN) and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.(LO)

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”(LP)

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!(LQ) 22 My God sent his angel,(LR) and he shut the mouths of the lions.(LS) They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.(LT) Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound(LU) was found on him, because he had trusted(LV) in his God.

24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den,(LW) along with their wives and children.(LX) And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.(LY)

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language(LZ) in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!(MA)

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence(MB) the God of Daniel.(MC)

“For he is the living God(MD)
    and he endures forever;(ME)
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
    his dominion will never end.(MF)
27 He rescues and he saves;(MG)
    he performs signs and wonders(MH)
    in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”(MI)

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus[x](MJ) the Persian.(MK)

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 1:2 Hebrew Shinar
  2. Daniel 1:4 Or Chaldeans
  3. Daniel 1:10 The Hebrew for your and you in this verse is plural.
  4. Daniel 2:2 Or Chaldeans; also in verses 4, 5 and 10
  5. Daniel 2:3 Or was
  6. Daniel 2:4 At this point the Hebrew text has in Aramaic, indicating that the text from here through the end of chapter 7 is in Aramaic.
  7. Daniel 3:1 That is, about 90 feet high and 9 feet wide or about 27 meters high and 2.7 meters wide
  8. Daniel 3:8 Or Chaldeans
  9. Daniel 3:17 Or If the God we serve is able to deliver us, then he will deliver us from the blazing furnace and
  10. Daniel 4:1 In Aramaic texts 4:1-3 is numbered 3:31-33, and 4:4-37 is numbered 4:1-34.
  11. Daniel 4:7 Or Chaldeans
  12. Daniel 4:13 Or watchman; also in verses 17 and 23
  13. Daniel 4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32
  14. Daniel 5:2 Or ancestor; or predecessor; also in verses 11, 13 and 18
  15. Daniel 5:7 Or Chaldeans; also in verse 11
  16. Daniel 5:10 Or queen mother
  17. Daniel 5:22 Or descendant; or successor
  18. Daniel 5:26 Mene can mean numbered or mina (a unit of money).
  19. Daniel 5:27 Tekel can mean weighed or shekel.
  20. Daniel 5:28 Peres (the singular of Parsin) can mean divided or Persia or a half mina or a half shekel.
  21. Daniel 5:30 Or Chaldeans
  22. Daniel 5:31 In Aramaic texts this verse (5:31) is numbered 6:1.
  23. Daniel 6:1 In Aramaic texts 6:1-28 is numbered 6:2-29.
  24. Daniel 6:28 Or Darius, that is, the reign of Cyrus
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