Old/New Testament
Belshazzar’s Festival
5 King Belshazzar put on a great festival for a thousand of his officials. He joined all[a] one thousand of them in getting drunk. 2 Under the influence of wine, Belshazzar ordered that the gold and silver vessels his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem be brought in so the king, his officials, his wives, and his mistresses[b] could drink from them. 3 As ordered, they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the sanctuary of God’s Temple in Jerusalem, and the king, his officials, his wives, and mistresses[c] drank from them. 4 As they drank the wine, they praised gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
The Handwriting on the Wall
5 At that moment, humanlike fingers of a hand appeared near the lamp stand of the royal palace and wrote on the plaster of the wall. 6 While the king watched the back of the hand as it was writing, his facial expression changed. Utterly frightened, he lost control of his own bowels[d] and his knees knocked together.
7 The king cried out to bring in enchanters,[e] Chaldeans, and astrologers. He announced to the advisors[f] of Babylon, “Whoever can read this writing and tell me its meaning will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain placed around his neck, and will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
8 Then all the king’s advisors came in, but they were unable to read the writing or tell the king what it meant. 9 So King Belshazzar became even more frightened, and his facial expression showed it. His officials also were thrown into confusion.
10 Hearing[g] the voices of the king and his officials, the queen entered the banquet hall. “Your majesty, live forever,” the queen said. “Don’t be frightened by your thoughts or allow your facial expression to show it. 11 There’s a man in your kingdom in whom dwells[h] the spirit of the holy gods. During your grandfather’s reign, he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom, like that[i] of the gods. Your grandfather, King Nebuchadnezzar—your kingly predecessor—appointed him to be chief administrator over the magicians, enchanters,[j] Chaldeans, and astrologers, 12 because he was found to have an extraordinary spirit, knowledge, and understanding, along with an ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. His name is Daniel, whom the king renamed Belteshazzar. Call for Daniel, and he will reveal the meaning of the writing.”[k]
Daniel Interprets the Handwriting
13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king spoke up and told Daniel, “So you are Daniel, one of the Judean exiles whom my grandfather the king brought from Judah! 14 I’ve heard about you, that a spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, discernment, and extraordinary wisdom. 15 Take note that the advisors[l] and enchanters[m] were brought before me to read the writing and explain its meaning, but they were unable to do so.[n] 16 However, I’ve heard that you can provide meaning and interpretation, and that you can solve difficult problems. If you are able to read the writing and report its meaning, you will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
17 At this, Daniel answered, speaking directly to[o] the king, “Let your gifts and rewards be given to someone else. However, I’ll read the writing for the king and tell him its meaning. 18 Your majesty, the Most High God gave your grandfather Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty, as well as greatness, glory, and splendor. 19 And because of the greatness that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages revered and feared him. He executed those whom he desired to execute, he spared those whom he wished to spare, he promoted those whom he desired to promote, and he humbled those whom he wished to humble. 20 But when he[p] became arrogant and his spirit hardened, he was removed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him. 21 He was driven away from human society[q] and given the mind of an animal. He lived with wild donkeys, ate grass like cattle, and his body was soaked with dew from the sky until he realized that the Most High God is sovereign over human kingdoms and places over them whomever he desires.
22 “But you, Belshazzar, his grandson, haven’t humbled yourself, even though you knew all of this.
23 “You’ve exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven.
“You’ve had the vessels from his Temple brought into your presence.
“And you, your officials, and your wives and mistresses drank wine from them.
“You praised gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which can’t see, hear, or demonstrate knowledge.
“But you didn’t honor God, who holds in his power your very life and all your ways.
24 “Therefore, the hand[r] that wrote this inscription was sent from his presence. 25 This is the written inscription:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL and PARSIN
26 These are the meanings of the words:
MENE: God has audited[s] your kingdom—and has ended it.
27 TEKEL: You’ve been weighed on the scales—and you don’t measure up.[t]
28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided—and will be given to the Medes and Persians.”
29 Then Belshazzar gave orders to clothe Daniel in purple, to place a chain of gold around his neck, and to proclaim him the third highest ruler of the kingdom.
30 That night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was killed, 31 [u]and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of 62.
Daniel’s Service to Darius
6 [v]It pleased Darius to appoint 120 regional authorities[w] over the kingdom throughout the realm, 2 along with three chief administrators from them, one of which was Daniel. The regional authorities[x] reported to these three administrators,[y] so that the king would experience no losses. 3 Daniel distinguished himself among all the administrators and regional authorities,[z] because he was of an extraordinary spirit. Therefore the king planned to appoint him over the whole kingdom.
A Plot to Destroy Daniel
4 Because of this, the administrators and regional authorities[aa] tried to bring allegations of dereliction of duty in government affairs against Daniel, but they were unable to find any charges of corruption. Daniel[ab] was trustworthy, and no evidence of[ac] negligence or corruption could be found against him. 5 So these men said, “We’ll never find any basis for complaint against Daniel unless we build it on the requirements of his God.”
6 Then these administrators and regional authorities[ad] went as a group to the king and said this, “Your majesty, live forever! 7 All of the royal administrators, prefects, regional authorities,[ae] scribes, and governors have concluded that the king should establish and enforce an edict that anyone who prays to any god or man for the next 30 days (except to you, your majesty) is to be thrown into the lions’ pit. 8 Therefore, your majesty, establish the decree and sign the written document so it can’t be changed, in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians that can’t be repealed.” 9 So King Darius signed the edict contained in the written document.
Daniel is Accused
10 When Daniel learned that the written document had been signed, he went to an upstairs room in his house that had windows opened facing Jerusalem. Three times a day he would kneel down, pray, and give thanks to his God, just as he had previously done.
11 The conspirators[af] then went as a group and found Daniel praying and seeking help before his God. 12 So they approached the king and asked, “Didn’t you sign an edict that for the next 30 days if anyone prays to any god or man, except to you, your majesty, he would be thrown into the lions’ pit?”
The king responded, “The decree has been established, in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians that can’t be repealed.”
13 Then they told the king, “Daniel, who is one of the Judean exiles, pays no attention to you, your majesty, or to the written decree, since he is still praying three times a day.”
14 When the king heard this, he was greatly upset, because he was determined to make every effort to save Daniel before the sun set. 15 But the men who had gone as a group to the king told him,[ag] “Remember, your majesty, that according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, any decree or edict that the king establishes cannot be repealed.”
Daniel in the Lions’ Pit
16 At this point, the king ordered Daniel brought in and thrown into the lions’ pit. The king spoke to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve constantly, will deliver you himself.” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the opening to the pit, and the king affixed a seal to it with his personal signet ring and with the signet rings of his officials so that no one would interfere with Daniel’s situation. 18 Then the king retired to his palace to spend the night fasting. He enjoyed no entertainment, and he couldn’t sleep.
19 The king got up at dawn and went quickly to the lions’ pit. 20 As he approached where Daniel was in the pit, he cried out to him[ah] in a voice filled with anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve constantly, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Daniel replied to the king, “May your majesty live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and sealed the mouths of the lions. They have not harmed me, proving that I’m innocent before him. Also against you, your majesty, I’ve committed no offense.”
23 The king was ecstatic, so he gave orders for Daniel to be released from the pit. Daniel was taken up from the pit, and no injury was found to have been inflicted on him, because he had believed in his God. 24 Then the king gave orders to bring those men who had tried to have Daniel devoured, and they threw them, their children, and their wives into the lions’ pit. They had not reached the floor of the pit before the lions had overtaken them and crushed all their bones.
Darius Exonerates Daniel
25 Afterward, King Darius wrote to all people, nations, and languages who lived throughout his realm:
“May great prosperity be yours!
26 “I hereby decree that in every area of my kingdom men[ai] are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel.
For he is the living God,
who endures forever.
His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed,
and his dominion continues forever.
27 He delivers and rescues
and performs signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth.
He has delivered Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
28 Daniel achieved success during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian.
The Vision of the Four Beasts
7 In the first year of the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel dreamed a dream, receiving visions in his mind while in bed, after which he recorded the dream, relating this summary of events.
2 Daniel said, “I observed the vision during the night. Look! The four winds of the skies were stirring up the Mediterranean[aj] Sea. 3 Four magnificent animals were rising from the sea, each different from the other. 4 The first resembled a lion, but it had eagles’ wings. I continued to watch until its wings were plucked off, it was lifted up off the ground, and it was forced to stand on two feet like a man. A human soul[ak] was imparted to it.
5 “Then look!—a second animal resembling a bear followed it.[al] It was raised up on one side, with three ribs held between the teeth in its mouth. Therefore people kept telling it, ‘Get up and devour lots of meat!’
6 “After this, I continued to watch—and look!—there was another one, resembling a leopard with four birds’ wings on its back. The animal also had four heads, and authority was imparted to it.
7 “After this, I continued to observe the night visions. And look!—there was a fourth awe-inspiring, terrifying, and viciously strong animal! It had large, iron teeth. It devoured and crushed things,[am] and trampled under its feet whatever remained. Different from all of the other previous animals, it had ten horns.
8 “While I was thinking about the horns—look—another horn, this time[an] a little one, grew up among them. Three of the first horns were yanked up by their roots right in front of it. Look! It had eyes like those of a human being and a mouth that boasted with audacious claims.”
The Vision of the Ancient of Days
9 “I kept on watching until the Ancient of Days was seated. His clothes were white, like snow, and the hair on his head was like pure wool. His throne burned with flaming fire, and its wheels burned with fire. 10 A river of fire flowed out from before him. Thousands upon thousands were serving him, with millions upon millions waiting before him. The court sat in judgment,[ao] and record books were unsealed.
11 “I continued watching because of the audacious words that the horn was speaking. I kept observing until the animal was killed and its body destroyed and given over to burning fire. 12 Now as to the other animals, their authority was removed, but they were granted a reprieve from execution[ap] for an appointed period of time.”
The Vision of the Son of Man
13 “I continued to observe the night vision—and look!—someone like the Son of Man was coming, accompanied by heavenly clouds. He approached the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 To him dominion was bestowed, along with glory and a kingdom, so that all people, nations, and languages are to serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion—it will never pass away—and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
The Vision Interpreted
15 “Now as for me, Daniel, I was emotionally troubled, and what I had seen in the visions kept alarming me. 16 So I approached one of those who was standing nearby and began to ask the meaning of all of this. He spoke to me and caused me to understand the interpretation of these things. 17 He said, ‘These four great animals are four kings who will rise to power from the earth. 18 But the saints of the Highest will receive the kingdom forever, inheriting it[aq] forever and ever.’
19 “I wanted to learn the precise significance of the fourth animal that was different from all the others, extremely awe-inspiring, with iron teeth and bronze claws, and that had devoured and crushed things,[ar] trampling under its feet whatever remained. 20 Also, I wanted to learn the significance of[as] the ten horns on its head and the other horn that had arisen, before which three of them had fallen—that is, the horn with eyes and a mouth that uttered magnificent things and which was greater in appearance than its fellows.
21 “As I continued to watch, that same horn waged war against the saints, and was prevailing against them 22 until the Ancient of Days arrived to pass judgment in favor of the saints of the Highest One and the time came for the saints to take possession of the kingdom. 23 So he said:
‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the kingdoms. It will devour the entire earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 Now as to the ten horns, ten kings will rise to power from this kingdom, and another king[at] will rise to power after them. He will be different from the previous kings,[au] and will defeat three kings. 25 He’ll speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One. He’ll attempt to alter times and laws, and they’ll be given into his control for a time, times, and half a time. 26 Nevertheless, the court will convene, and his authority will be removed, annulled, and destroyed forever. 27 Then the kingdom, authority, and magnificence of all nations of the earth[av] will be given to the people who are the saints of the Highest One. His kingdom will endure forever, and all authorities will serve him and obey him.’
28 “At this point the vision ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts continued to alarm me, and I lost my natural color, but I kept quiet about the matter.”[aw]
Greetings from John
1 From:[a] The Elder
To: The chosen lady and her children, whom I genuinely love, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2 that is present in us and will be with us forever.
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus[b] the Messiah,[c] the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
Living in the Truth
4 I was overjoyed to find some of your[d] children living truthfully, just as the Father has commanded us. 5 Dear lady, I am now requesting of you[e] that we all continue to love one another. It is not as though I am writing to give you[f] a new commandment, but one that we have had from the beginning. 6 And this is what demonstrates[g] love: that we live according to God’s[h] commandments. Just as you[i] have heard from the beginning what he commanded, you[j] must live by it.
Reject False Teachers
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world. They refuse to acknowledge Jesus the Messiah[k] as having become human. Any such person is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 See[l] to it that you[m] don’t destroy what we have[n] worked for, but that you[o] receive your[p] full reward. 9 Everyone who does not remain true to the teaching of the Messiah,[q] but goes beyond it, does not have God. The person who remains true to the teaching of the Messiah[r] has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you[s] but does not present his teachings,[t] do not receive[u] him into your house or even welcome[v] him, 11 because the one who welcomes him shares in his evil deeds.
Final Greeting
12 Although I have a great deal to write to you,[w] I would prefer not to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your[x] chosen sister greet you.[y]
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