Daniel 2:4-7:28
New King James Version
4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, (A)“O[a] king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.”
5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “My [b]decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be (B)cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap. 6 (C)However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.”
7 They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.”
8 The king answered and said, “I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm: 9 if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the [c]time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can [d]give me its interpretation.”
10 The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. 11 It is a [e]difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king (D)except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
12 For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought (E)Daniel and his companions, to kill them.
God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
14 Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; 15 he answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so [f]urgent?” Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel.
16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 (F)that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel (G)in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20 Daniel answered and said:
(H)“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
(I)For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes (J)the times and the seasons;
(K)He removes kings and raises up kings;
(L)He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 (M)He reveals deep and secret things;
(N)He knows what is in the darkness,
And (O)light dwells with Him.
23 “I thank You and praise You,
O God of my fathers;
You have given me wisdom and might,
And have now made known to me what we (P)asked of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s [g]demand.”
Daniel Explains the Dream
24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation.”
25 Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king, and said thus to him, “I have found a man of the [h]captives of Judah, who will make known to the king the interpretation.”
26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?”
27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. 28 (Q)But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar (R)what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these: 29 As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; (S)and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be. 30 (T)But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, (U)and that you may [i]know the thoughts of your heart.
31 “You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. 32 (V)This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and [j]thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of [k]clay. 34 You watched while a stone was cut out (W)without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 (X)Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became (Y)like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that (Z)no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image (AA)became a great mountain (AB)and filled the whole earth.
36 “This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. 37 (AC)You, O king, are a king of kings. (AD)For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; 38 (AE)and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—(AF)you are this head of gold. 39 But after you shall arise (AG)another kingdom (AH)inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. 40 And (AI)the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others. 41 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, (AJ)so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly [l]fragile. 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the days of these kings (AK)the God of heaven will set up a kingdom (AL)which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; (AM)it shall [m]break in pieces and [n]consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 45 (AN)Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”
Daniel and His Friends Promoted
46 (AO)Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering (AP)and incense to him. 47 The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly (AQ)your God is the God of (AR)gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” 48 (AS)Then the king promoted Daniel (AT)and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and (AU)chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 Also Daniel petitioned the king, (AV)and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel (AW)sat in [o]the gate of the king.
The Image of Gold
3 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was [p]sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then a herald cried [q]aloud: “To you it is commanded, (AX)O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; 6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall (AY)be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”
7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Daniel’s Friends Disobey the King
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans (AZ)came forward and accused the Jews. 9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, (BA)“O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 (BB)There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have (BC)not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in (BD)rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, (BE)good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. (BF)And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, (BG)we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our (BH)God whom we serve is able to (BI)deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we (BJ)worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Saved in Fiery Trial
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king’s command was [r]urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his [s]counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, (BK)walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like (BL)the[t] Son of God.”
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the [u]mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the (BM)Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men (BN)on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.
28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His (BO)Angel[v] and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 (BP)Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the (BQ)God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be (BR)cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; (BS)because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
30 Then the king [w]promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream
4 Nebuchadnezzar the king,
(BT)To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders (BU)that the Most High God has worked for me.
3 (BV)How great are His signs,
And how mighty His wonders!
His kingdom is (BW)an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, (BX)and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head (BY)troubled me. 6 Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 (BZ)Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation. 8 But at last Daniel came before me (CA)(his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; (CB)in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying: 9 “Belteshazzar, (CC)chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.
10 “These were the visions of my head while on my bed:
I was looking, and behold,
(CD)A tree in the midst of the earth,
And its height was great.
11 The tree grew and became strong;
Its height reached to the heavens,
And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.
12 Its leaves were lovely,
Its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
(CE)The beasts of the field found shade under it,
The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches,
And all flesh was fed from it.
13 “I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was (CF)a watcher, (CG)a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 He cried [x]aloud and said thus:
(CH)‘Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.
(CI)Let the beasts get out from under it,
And the birds from its branches.
15 Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth,
Bound with a band of iron and bronze,
In the tender grass of the field.
Let it be wet with the dew of heaven,
And let him graze with the beasts
On the grass of the earth.
16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man,
Let him be given the heart of a beast,
And let seven (CJ)times[y] pass over him.
17 ‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers,
And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,
In order (CK)that the living may know
(CL)That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
(CM)Gives it to whomever He will,
And sets over it the (CN)lowest of men.’
18 “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, (CO)since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, (CP)for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.”
Daniel Explains the Second Dream
19 Then Daniel, (CQ)whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts (CR)troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.”
Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may (CS)the dream [z]concern those who hate you, and its interpretation [aa]concern your enemies!
20 (CT)“The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, 21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home— 22 (CU)it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, (CV)and your dominion to the end of the earth.
23 (CW)“And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, (CX)and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven [ab]times pass over him’; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 They shall (CY)drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you (CZ)eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven [ac]times shall pass over you, (DA)till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and (DB)gives it to whomever He chooses.
26 “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that (DC)Heaven[ad] rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; (DD)break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. (DE)Perhaps there may be (DF)a [ae]lengthening of your prosperity.”
Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking [af]about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king (DG)spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
31 (DH)While the word was still in the king’s mouth, (DI)a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And (DJ)they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven [ag]times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
34 And (DK)at the end of the [ah]time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him (DL)who lives forever:
For His dominion is (DM)an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 (DN)All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
(DO)He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
(DP)No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, (DQ)“What have You done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, (DR)and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was (DS)restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was (DT)added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, (DU)praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, (DV)all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. (DW)And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
Belshazzar’s Feast
5 Belshazzar the king (DX)made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. 2 While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels (DY)which his [ai]father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the gold (DZ)vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine, (EA)and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
5 (EB)In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his (EC)knees knocked against each other. 7 (ED)The king cried [aj]aloud to bring in (EE)the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; (EF)and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Now all the king’s wise men came, (EG)but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly (EH)troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were [ak]astonished.
10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. 11 (EI)There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your [al]father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your [am]father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and [an]explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, (EJ)whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”
The Writing on the Wall Explained
13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel [ao]who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my [ap]father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that (EK)the [aq]Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now (EL)the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. 16 And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and [ar]explain enigmas. (EM)Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
17 Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, (EN)the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your [as]father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, (EO)all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he (EP)executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. 20 (EQ)But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 Then he was (ER)driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, (ES)till he [at]knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.
22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, (ET)have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 (EU)And you have [au]lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the (EV)vessels of [av]His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, (EW)which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand (EX)and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the [aw]fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.
25 “And this is the inscription that was written:
[ax]MENE, MENE, [ay]TEKEL, [az]UPHARSIN.
26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEL: (EY)You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the (EZ)Medes and (FA)Persians.”[ba] 29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him (FB)that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Belshazzar’s Fall
30 (FC)That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 (FD)And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
The Plot Against Daniel
6 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, (FE)because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 (FF)So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: (FG)“King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have (FH)consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the (FI)law of the Medes and Persians, which [bb]does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open (FJ)toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees (FK)three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 (FL)And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, (FM)according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [bc]does not alter.”
13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, (FN)who is [bd]one of the captives from Judah, (FO)does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 And the king, when he heard these words, (FP)was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he [be]labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men [bf]approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is (FQ)the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 (FR)Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, (FS)and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
Daniel Saved from the Lions
18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no [bg]musicians were brought before him. (FT)Also his sleep [bh]went from him. 19 Then the (FU)king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a [bi]lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, (FV)has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, (FW)“O king, live forever! 22 (FX)My God sent His angel and (FY)shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, (FZ)because he believed in his God.
Darius Honors God
24 And the king gave the command, (GA)and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, (GB)their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
25 (GC)Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
26 (GD)I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must (GE)tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
(GF)For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be (GG)destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues,
(GH)And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the [bj]power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius (GI)and in the reign of (GJ)Cyrus the Persian.
Vision of the Four Beasts
7 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, (GK)Daniel [bk]had a dream and (GL)visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling [bl]the main facts.
2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. 3 And four great beasts (GM)came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 The first was (GN)like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a (GO)man’s heart was given to it.
5 (GP)“And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’
6 “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had (GQ)four heads, and dominion was given to it.
7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, (GR)a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, (GS)and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and (GT)there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes (GU)of a man, (GV)and a mouth speaking [bm]pompous words.
Vision of the Ancient of Days
9 “I(GW) watched till thrones were [bn]put in place,
And (GX)the Ancient of Days was seated;
(GY)His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
(GZ)Its wheels a burning fire;
10 (HA)A fiery stream issued
And came forth from before Him.
(HB)A thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
(HC)The [bo]court was seated,
And the books were opened.
11 “I watched then because of the sound of the [bp]pompous words which the horn was speaking; (HD)I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13 “I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, (HE)One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
14 (HF)Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all (HG)peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is (HH)an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel’s Visions Interpreted
15 “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit [bq]within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four [br]kings which arise out of the earth. 18 But (HI)the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
19 “Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; 20 and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke [bs]pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.
21 “I was watching; (HJ)and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, (HK)and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
23 “Thus he said:
‘The fourth beast shall be
(HL)A fourth kingdom on earth,
Which shall be different from all other kingdoms,
And shall devour the whole earth,
Trample it and break it in pieces.
24 (HM)The ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom.
And another shall rise after them;
He shall be different from the first ones,
And shall subdue three kings.
25 (HN)He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall (HO)persecute[bt] the saints of the Most High,
And shall (HP)intend to change times and law.
Then (HQ)the saints shall be given into his hand
(HR)For a time and times and half a time.
26 ‘But(HS) the court shall be seated,
And they shall (HT)take away his dominion,
To consume and destroy it forever.
27 Then the (HU)kingdom and dominion,
And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,
Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.
(HV)His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
(HW)And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’
28 “This is the end of the [bu]account. As for me, Daniel, (HX)my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I (HY)kept the matter in my heart.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 2:4 The original language of Daniel 2:4b through 7:28 is Aramaic.
- Daniel 2:5 The command
- Daniel 2:9 Situation
- Daniel 2:9 Or declare to me
- Daniel 2:11 Or rare
- Daniel 2:15 Or harsh
- Daniel 2:23 Lit. word
- Daniel 2:25 Lit. sons of the captivity
- Daniel 2:30 Understand
- Daniel 2:32 Or sides
- Daniel 2:33 Or baked clay, also vv. 34, 35, 42
- Daniel 2:42 Or brittle
- Daniel 2:44 Or crush
- Daniel 2:44 Lit. put an end to
- Daniel 2:49 The king’s court
- Daniel 3:1 About 90 feet
- Daniel 3:4 Lit. with strength
- Daniel 3:22 Or harsh
- Daniel 3:24 High officials
- Daniel 3:25 Or a son of the gods
- Daniel 3:26 Lit. door
- Daniel 3:28 Or angel
- Daniel 3:30 Lit. caused to prosper
- Daniel 4:14 Lit. with strength
- Daniel 4:16 Possibly years
- Daniel 4:19 be for
- Daniel 4:19 for
- Daniel 4:23 Possibly years
- Daniel 4:25 Possibly years
- Daniel 4:26 God
- Daniel 4:27 prolonging
- Daniel 4:29 Or upon
- Daniel 4:32 Possibly years
- Daniel 4:34 Lit. days
- Daniel 5:2 Or ancestor
- Daniel 5:7 Lit. with strength
- Daniel 5:9 perplexed
- Daniel 5:11 Or ancestor
- Daniel 5:11 Or ancestor
- Daniel 5:12 Lit. untying knots
- Daniel 5:13 Lit. who is of the sons of the captivity
- Daniel 5:13 Or ancestor
- Daniel 5:14 Or spirit of the gods
- Daniel 5:16 Lit. untie knots
- Daniel 5:18 Or ancestor
- Daniel 5:21 Recognized
- Daniel 5:23 Exalted
- Daniel 5:23 The temple
- Daniel 5:24 Lit. palm
- Daniel 5:25 Lit. a mina (50 shekels) from the verb “to number”
- Daniel 5:25 Lit. a shekel from the verb “to weigh”
- Daniel 5:25 Lit. and half-shekels from the verb “to divide”; pl. of Peres, v. 28
- Daniel 5:28 Aram. Paras, consonant with Peres
- Daniel 6:8 Lit. does not pass away
- Daniel 6:12 Lit. does not pass away
- Daniel 6:13 Lit. of the sons of the captivity
- Daniel 6:14 strove
- Daniel 6:15 Lit. thronged before
- Daniel 6:18 Exact meaning unknown
- Daniel 6:18 Or fled
- Daniel 6:20 Or grieved
- Daniel 6:27 Lit. hand
- Daniel 7:1 Lit. saw
- Daniel 7:1 Lit. the head or chief of the words
- Daniel 7:8 Lit. great things
- Daniel 7:9 Or set up
- Daniel 7:10 Or judgment
- Daniel 7:11 Lit. great
- Daniel 7:15 Lit. in the midst of its sheath
- Daniel 7:17 Representing their kingdoms, v. 23
- Daniel 7:20 Lit. great things
- Daniel 7:25 Lit. wear out
- Daniel 7:28 Lit. word
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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