Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

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]

Be Shepherds of God’s Flock

5 Therefore, as a fellow elder, a witness of the Messiah’s^[a] sufferings, and one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over it, not because you must but because you want to, and not greedily but eagerly, as God desires. ³ Do not lord it over the people entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. ⁴ Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the victor’s crown of glory that will never fade away.

Be Humble and Alert

⁵ In a similar way, you young people must submit to the elders.^[b] All of you must clothe yourselves with humility for the sake of each other, because:

⁶ Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you. ⁷ Throw all your worry on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the Devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him and be firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. ¹⁰ After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you by the Messiah^[d] Jesus^[e] to his eternal glory, will restore you, establish you, strengthen you, and support you. ¹¹ Power belongs^[f] to him forever and ever! Amen.