The Gold Idol and Blazing Furnace

King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ·ninety feet [^Lsixty cubits] high and ·nine feet [^Lsix cubits] wide [^Cunclear whether the statue was of Nebuchadnezzar or a Babylonian god like Marduk] and set it up on the plain of Dura [^Cfrom a Babylonian word meaning “wall” or “fortress”] in the ·area [^Lprovince] of Babylon.

“This is ·what the words mean [^Lthe interpretation of the matter]: Mene [^C“Numbered”]: God has ·counted [numbered] the days until your kingdom will end.

·When you first started praying [^LAt the beginning of your supplication], an ·answer [^Lword] ·was given [^Lwent out], and I came to tell you, because ·God loves you very much [^Lyou are favored/coveted/desired]. So ·think about [consider; reflect; ponder] the ·message [^Lword] and ·understand [consider; reflect; ponder] the vision.

Then the man said to me, “Daniel, do not be afraid. ·Some time ago [^LFrom the first day] you ·decided [^Lgave your heart/mind] to get understanding and to humble yourself before your God. ·Since that time God has listened to you [^L…your words have been heard], and I have come because of your ·prayers [^Lwords].