Daniel

Daniel Finds Favor in Babylon

1:1 In the third1 year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah that King Nebuchadnezzar2 of Babylon advanced against Jerusalem and laid it under siege.3 1:2 Now the Lord4 delivered5 King Jehoiakim of Judah into his power,6 along with some of the vessels7 of God's temple.8 He brought them to the land of Babylonia9 to the temple of his gods10 and put11 the vessels in the treasury of his gods.

1:3 The king commanded12 Ashpenaz,13 who was in charge of his court officials,14 to bring some of the Israelites who were of royal and noble descent-- 1:4 young men in whom there was no physical defect and who were attractive, learned in all kinds of wisdom, well-educated and having keen insight, and who had the potential of entering the king's royal service15--and to teach them the literature and language16 of the Chaldeans.17 1:5 So the king assigned them a daily ration from his royal delicacies and from the wine he himself drank as their allotment for the next three years. At the end of that time they were to enter the king's service. 1:6 As it turned out, among these young men18 were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.19 1:7 But the overseer of the court officials renamed them. He gave20 Daniel the name Belteshazzar, Hannaniah he named Shadrach, Mishael he named Meshach, and Azariah he named Abednego.21

1:8 But Daniel made up his mind22 that he would not defile23 himself with the royal delicacies or the royal wine. He therefore requested the one who was in charge of the court officials for permission not to defile himself. 1:9 Then God granted Daniel compassionate favor24 with the one who was in charge of the court officials. 1:10 He25 responded to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king. He is the one who has decided your food and drink. Why should he later find your appearance more haggard than that of the other young men your age? If that happened, you would endanger my life26 with the king!" 1:11 Daniel replied to the warden whom the chief of the court officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 1:12 "Please test us27 for ten days and provide us with some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 1:13 When we appear before you along with the young men who are eating the royal delicacies, deal with us in light of what you see." 1:14 So the warden28 listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days.

1:15 At the end of the ten days their appearance was better and their bodies healthier than all the young men who had been eating the royal delicacies. 1:16 So the warden removed their delicacies and the wine from their diet and gave them a diet of vegetables instead. 1:17 Now as for these four young men, God endowed them with knowledge and skill in all sorts of literature and wisdom--and Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

1:18 At the end of the time that the king had specified for them to reappear,29 the chief of the court officials brought them into Nebuchadnezzar's presence. 1:19 When the king spoke with them, he did not find among the entire group anyone like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, or Azariah. So they entered the king's service. 1:20 And in every matter of wisdom and30 insight the king asked them about, he found them to be ten times31 better than any of the magicians and astrologers that were in his entire empire. 1:21 Now Daniel lived on until the first32 year of Cyrus the king.

Nebuchadnezzar Has a Disturbing Dream

2:1 In the second year of his1 reign Nebuchadnezzar was in a dream state.2 His mind3 was disturbed and he suffered from insomnia.4 2:2 The king issued an order5 to summon the magicians, conjurers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans6 in order to explain his dreams to him.7 So they came and awaited the king's instructions.8

2:3 The king told them, "I have had a dream,9 and I10 am anxious to understand the dream." 2:4 The Chaldeans replied to the king, [in Aramaic11] "O king, live forever! Tell us12 the dream, and we will disclose its interpretation." 2:5 The king replied13 to the Chaldeans, "My decision is firm.14 If you do not inform me of the dream and its interpretation as well, you will be dismembered and your homes reduced to rubble! 2:6 But if you declare the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts, a reward, and considerable honor. So declare to me the dream and its interpretation!" 2:7 They again replied, "Let the king inform us of the dream; then we will disclose its interpretation." 2:8 The king answered, "I know for sure that you are attempting to gain time, because you see that my decision is firm. 2:9 If you don't inform me of the dream, there is only one thing that is going to happen to you.15 For you have agreed among yourselves to report to me something false and deceitful until such time as things might change. So tell me the dream, and I will have confidence16 that you can declare its interpretation."

2:10 The Chaldeans answered the king, "There is no man on earth who is able to declare the king's matter, for no king, regardless of his position and power, has ever requested something like this from any magician, conjurer, or Chaldean. 2:11 What the king is asking is difficult, and no one exists who can declare it to the king, except for the gods--but they don't live among mortals!"17

2:12 Because of this the king got furiously angry18 and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 2:13 So a decree went out, and the wise men were about19 to be executed. And Daniel and his friends were sought20 so that they could be executed.

2:14 Then Daniel spoke with prudent counsel21 to Arioch, who was in charge of the king's executioners and who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. 2:15 He inquired of the king's deputy,22 "Why is the decree from the king so urgent?"23 Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter. 2:16 So Daniel went in and24 requested the king to grant him time, that he might declare the interpretation to the king. 2:17 Then Daniel went to his home and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the matter, 2:18 and asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he25 and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 2:19 Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven, saying,

2:24 Then Daniel went in to see28 to Arioch (whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon). He came29 and said to him, "Don't destroy the wise men of Babylon! Escort me to the king, and I will declare the interpretation to him!"30

2:25 So Arioch quickly ushered Daniel in before the king and said to him, "I31 have found a man from the captives of Judah who can disclose the interpretation to the king." 2:26 The king then asked Daniel (whose name was also Belteshazzar), "Are you able to disclose the dream that I saw, as well as its interpretation?" 2:27 Daniel replied to the king, "The mystery that the king is asking about is such that no wise men, conjurers, magicians, or astrologers are able to declare it to the king. 2:28 However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has informed king Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter times.32 The dream and the visions of your mind while you lay on your bed are as follows.

2:29 "As for you, O king, while you were lying on your bed your thoughts turned to future things. The revealer of mysteries has disclosed to you what will take place. 2:30 But for my part, this mystery was revealed to me not because I possess more wisdom33 than in any other living person, but so that the king may understand the interpretation and comprehend the thoughts of your mind.34

2:31 "You, O king, were watching as a great statue--one35 of impressive size and appearance--was standing before you. Its brightness caused alarm. 2:32 As for that statue, its head was of fine gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs were of bronze. 2:33 Its legs were of iron; its feet were partly of iron and partly of clay.36 2:34 You were watching as a stone was cut out37 without human hands. It struck the statue on its iron and clay feet, breaking them in pieces. 2:35 Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were broken in pieces and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors that the wind carries away. Not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a large mountain that filled the entire earth. 2:36 This was the dream. Now we38 will set forth before the king its interpretation.

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

2:37 "You, O king, are a king of kings. The God of heaven has granted to you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor. 2:38 Wherever human beings,39 wild animals,40 and birds of the sky live--he has given them into your power.41 He has given you authority over them all. You are the head of gold. 2:39 Now after you there will arise another kingdom,42 one inferior to yours. Then a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule in all the earth. 2:40 Then there will be a fourth kingdom, one like iron. Just like iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything, and as iron breaks in pieces43 all of these metals, so it will break in pieces and crush the others.44 2:41 In that you were seeing feet and toes45 partly of wet46 clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom. Some of the strength of iron will be in it, for you saw iron mixed with wet clay.47 2:42 In that the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, the latter stages of this kingdom will be partly strong and partly fragile. 2:43 And48 in that you saw iron mixed with wet clay, so people will be mixed49 with one another50 without adhering to one another, just as51 iron does not mix with clay. 2:44 In the days of those kings the God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will not be destroyed and a kingdom that will not be left to another people. It will break in pieces and bring about the demise of all these kingdoms. But it will stand forever. 2:45 In that you saw that a stone was cut without human hands from a mountain and smashed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold into pieces, the great God has disclosed to the king what will occur after the present time.52 The dream is certain, and its interpretation is reliable."

2:46 Then king Nebuchadnezzar bowed down with his face to the ground53 and worshiped Daniel. He gave orders to offer sacrifice and incense to him. 2:47 The king replied to Daniel, "Certainly your God is a God of gods and Lord of kings and revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery!" 2:48 Then the king elevated Daniel to high position and bestowed on him many marvelous gifts. He granted him authority over the entire province of Babylon and made him the main prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 2:49 And at Daniel's request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the administration of the province of Babylon. Daniel himself served in the king's court.54

Daniel's Friends Are Tested

3:11 King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden2 statue made.3 It was ninety feet4 tall and nine feet5 wide. He erected it on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 3:2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent out a summons to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates,6 and all the other authorities of the province to attend the dedication of the statue that he7 had erected. 3:3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other provincial authorities assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had erected. They were standing in front of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had erected.8

3:4 Then the herald9 made a loud10 proclamation: "To you, O peoples, nations, and language groups, the following command is given: 3:5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither,11 trigon, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must12 bow down to the ground and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has erected. 3:6 Whoever does not bow down and worship will immediately be thrown right into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire!" 3:7 Therefore when they all13 heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, trigon, harp, pipes, 14 and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations, and language-groups began bowing down to the ground and worshiping the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had erected.

3:8 In light of this,15 at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought malicious accusations against16 the Jews. 3:9 They said17 to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!18 3:10 You have issued an edict, O king, that everyone must bow down to the ground and worship the golden statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, trigon, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music . 3:11 And whoever does not bow down and worship, must be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire. 3:12 But there are Jewish men whom you appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego--and these men19 have not shown proper respect to you, O king. They don't serve your gods and they don't worship the golden statue that you have erected."

3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in a fit of rage20 demanded that they bring21 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before him. So they brought them before the king. 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't serve my gods and that you don't worship the golden statue that I erected?" 3:15 Now if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, trigon, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must bow down and worship the statue that I had made. If you don't worship it, you will immediately be thrown into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire. Now, who is that god who can rescue you from my power?"22 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar,23 "We do not need to give you a reply24 concerning this. 3:17 If25 our God whom we are serving exists,26 he is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he will deliver us, O king, from your power as well. 3:18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we don't serve your gods, and we will not worship the golden statue that you have erected."

3:19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and his disposition changed27 toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than it was normally heated. 3:20 He ordered strong28 soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. 3:21 Then those men were bound, while still wearing their mantles, trousers, turbans, and other clothes,29 and were thrown into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire. 3:22 But since the king's command was so urgent, and the furnace was so excessively hot, the men who escorted30 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were killed31 by the fiery flame. 3:23 But those three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell right into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire while securely bound.32

God Delivers His Servants

3:24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was startled and quickly got up. He said to his ministers, "Wasn't it three men that we tied up and threw into33 the fire?" They replied to the king, "For sure, O king." 3:25 He answered, "But I see four men, untied and walking around in the middle of the fire! No harm has come to them! And the appearance of the fourth is like that of a god!"34 3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire. He called out, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the most high God, come out! Come here!"

Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. 3:27 Once the satraps, prefects, governors, and counselors of the king had gathered around, they saw that those men were physically35 unharmed by the fire. The hair of their heads was not singed, nor were their trousers damaged. Not even the smell of fire was to be found on them!

3:28 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed,36 "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent forth his angel and has delivered his servants who trusted in him, ignoring the edict of the king and giving up their bodies rather than37 serve or worship any god other than their God! 3:29 I hereby decree38 that any people, nation, or language group that utters calumny against the god of Shadrach, Meshach, or Abednego will be dismembered and his home reduced to rubble. For there exists no other god who can deliver in this way." 3:30 Then Nebuchadnezzar39 promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

4:1(3:31)1 "King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations, and language groups that live in all the land: Best wishes!2 4:2 I am delighted to tell you about the signs and wonders that the most high God has done for me.

Nebuchadnezzar Dreams of a Tree Chopped Down

4:4 (4:1)3 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my home,4 living luxuriously in my palace. 4:5 I saw a dream that scared me. The things I imagined while lying on my bed--these visions of my mind--were terrifying me. 4:6 So I issued an order5 for all the wise men of Babylon to be brought6 before me so that they could disclose to me the interpretation of the dream. 4:7 When the magicians, conjurers, Chaldeans, and astrologers entered, I recounted the dream for them. But they were unable to disclose its interpretation to me. 4:8 Later Daniel entered (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god,7 and in whom there is a spirit of the holy gods). I recounted the dream for him as well, 4:9 saying, "Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, in whom I know there to be a spirit of the holy gods and whom no mystery baffles, consider8 my dream that I saw and set forth its interpretation! 4:10 Here are the visions of my mind9 while I was on my bed. While I was watching,

4:18 "This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its23 interpretation, for none of the wise men in my kingdom are able to declare to me the interpretation. But you can do so, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you."

4:19 Then Daniel (whose name is also Belteshazzar) was briefly24 appalled; his thoughts were alarming him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, don't let the dream and its interpretation alarm you." But Belteshazzar replied, "Sir,25 if only the dream were for your enemies and its interpretation applied to your adversaries! 4:20 The tree that you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached to the sky, and which could be seen in all the land, 4:21 whose foliage was attractive and its fruit plentiful, and from which there was food available for all, under whose branches wild animals26 used to live, and in whose branches birds of the sky used to nest-- 4:22 it is you,27 O king! For you have become great and strong. Your greatness is such that it reaches to heaven, your authority to the ends of the earth. 4:23 As for the king seeing a holy watcher28 coming down from heaven and saying, `Chop down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and its taproot in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it, surrounded by the grass of the field. Let him become damp with the dew of the sky, and let his lot be with the wild animals, until seven times go by for him'--

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

4:24 "This is the interpretation, O king. It is the decision of the Most High that this has happened to my lord the king. 4:25 You will be driven29 from human society,30 and you will live with the wild animals. You will be fed31 grass like oxen,32 and you will become damp with the dew of the sky. Seven times will pass by for you, before33 you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes. 4:26 Now in that they said to leave a taproot of the tree, your kingdom will be restored to you when you come to understand that heaven34 rules. 4:27 Therefore, O king, may my advice35 be pleasing to you. Break away from your sins by doing acts of righteousness, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be prolonged."

4:28 Now all of this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 4:29 After twelve months, he happened to be walking around on top of the walls36 of the royal palace of Babylon. 4:30 The king uttered these words: "Is this not the great Babylon that I have built for a royal residence37 by my own mighty strength38 and for my majestic honor?" 4:31 While these words were still on the king's lips,39 a voice came down from heaven: "It is hereby announced to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that your kingdom has been removed from you! 4:32 You will be driven from human society, and you will live with the wild animals. You will be fed grass like oxen, and seven times will pass by for you before40 you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes."

4:33 Now in that very moment41 this pronouncement came true42 with Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from human society, he ate grass like oxen, and his body became damp with the dew of the sky, until his hair became long like an eagle's feathers, and his nails like a bird's claws.

4:34 But at the end of the appointed time43 I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up44 toward heaven, and my sanity returned to me.

4:36 At that time my sanity returned to me. I was restored47 to the honor of my kingdom, and my splendor returned to me. My ministers and my magistrates were seeking me out, and I was reinstated48 over my kingdom. Tremendous greatness was restored to me, greater than before. 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all his deeds are right and his ways are just. He is able to bring low those who live49 in pride.

Belshazzar Sees Mysterious Handwriting on a Wall

5:1 King Belshazzar1 prepared a great banquet2 for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking wine in front of3 them all.4 5:2 While under the influence5 of the wine, Belshazzar issued an order to bring in the gold and silver vessels--the ones that Nebuchadnezzar his father6 had confiscated from the temple in Jerusalem--so that the king and his nobles, together with his wives and his concubines, could drink from them.7 5:3 So they brought8 the gold and silver9 vessels that had been confiscated from the temple, the house of God10 in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, together with his wives and concubines, drank from them. 5:4 As they drank wine, they glorified the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

5:5 At that very moment the fingers of a human hand11 appeared and wrote on the plaster of the royal palace wall, opposite the lampstand.12 The king was watching the back of the hand that was writing. 5:6 Then all the color drained from the king's face13 and his thoughts were alarming him. The joints of his hips gave way,14 and his knees began knocking together. 5:7 The king called out loudly to summon the astrologers, Chaldeans, and sorcerers. The king proclaimed to the wise men of Babylon that anyone who could read this inscription and declare its interpretation would be clothed in purple15 and have a golden collar16 placed on his neck and be third ruler in the kingdom.

5:8 So all the king's wise men came in, but they were unable to read the writing or to declare its17 interpretation to the king. 5:9 Then King Belshazzar was very terrified, and he was visibly shaken.18 His nobles were completely dumbfounded.

5:10 Due to the noise caused by the king and his nobles, the queen mother19 then entered the banquet room. She20 said, "O king, live forever! Don't let your thoughts terrify you! Don't be shaken! 5:11 There is a man in your kingdom who has a spirit of the holy gods within him. In the days of Nebuchadnezzar your father, he was discovered to possess21 illumination, insight, and wisdom like that22 of the gods.23 King Nebuchadnezzar your father appointed him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and sorcerers.24 5:12 Thus there was found in this man Daniel, whom the king renamed Belteshazzar, an extraordinary spirit, knowledge, and skill to interpret25 dreams, solve riddles, and decipher knotty problems. Now summon26 Daniel, and he will declare the interpretation."

5:13 So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives of Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? 5:14 I have heard about you, how there is a spirit of the gods in you, and how illumination, insight, and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you. 5:15 Now the wise men and astrologers were brought before me to read this writing and declare to me its interpretation. But they were unable to declare the interpretation of the matter. 5:16 However, I have heard that you are able to provide interpretations and to solve knotty problems. Now if you are able to read this writing and declare to me its interpretation, you will wear purple and have a golden collar around your neck and be third27 ruler in the kingdom."

Daniel Interprets the Handwriting on the Wall

5:17 But Daniel replied to the king, "Keep your gifts and give your rewards to someone else. However, I will read the writing for the king and declare its interpretation. 5:18 As for you, O king, the most high God bestowed on Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom, greatness, honor, and majesty.28 5:19 Due to the greatness that he bestowed on him, all peoples, nations, and language groups were trembling with fear29 before him. He killed whom he wished, he let live30 whom he wished, he exalted whom he wished, and he brought low whom he wished. 5:20 And when his mind became arrogant31 and his spirit filled with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and his honor was removed from him. 5:21 He was driven from human society, his mind32 was changed to that of an animal, he lived with the wild donkeys, he was fed grass like oxen, and his body became damp with the dew of the sky, until he came to understand that the most high God rules over human kingdoms, and he appoints over them whomever he wishes.

5:22 "But you, his son33 Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself,34 although you knew all this. 5:23 Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. You had brought before you the vessels from his temple, and you and your nobles, together with your wives and concubines, were drinking wine from them. You glorified the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone--gods that cannot see or hear or comprehend! But you have not glorified the God who has in his control35 your very breath and all your ways! 5:24 Therefore the palm of a hand was sent from him, and this writing was inscribed.

5:25 "This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE', MENE',36 TEQEL, and PHARSIN.37 5:26 This is the interpretation of the words: As for mene'38--God has numbered your kingdom's days and brought it to an end. 5:27 As for teqel--you are weighed on the balances and found to be lacking. 5:28 As for peres39--your kingdom is divided and given over to the Medes and Persians."

5:29 Then, on Belshazzar's orders, Daniel was clothed in purple, a golden collar was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed third ruler in the kingdom. 5:30 And in that very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king,40 was killed.41 5:31 (6:1)42 So Darius the Mede took control of the kingdom at about sixty-two years of age.

Daniel is Cast into a Lions' Den

6:1 It seemed like a good idea to Darius to appoint over the kingdom one hundred twenty satraps who would be in charge of the whole kingdom. 6:2 Over them would be three supervisors, one of whom was Daniel. These satraps were to be accountable to them, so that the king's interests might not incur damage. 6:3 Now this Daniel was distinguishing himself above the other supervisors and the satraps, for he had an extraordinary spirit. In fact, the king intended to appoint him over the entire kingdom. 6:4 Consequently the supervisors and satraps were trying to find1 some pretext against Daniel in connection with administrative matters.2 But they were unable to find any such damaging pretext, because he was trustworthy and guilty of no negligence or corruption.3 6:5 So these men concluded,4 "We won't find any pretext against this man Daniel unless it is5 in connection with the law of his God."

6:6 So these supervisors and satraps came by collusion6 to the king and said7 to him, "O King Darius, live forever! 6:7 To all the supervisors of the kingdom, the prefects, satraps, counselors, and governors it seemed like a good idea for a royal edict to be issued and an interdict to be enforced that for the next thirty days anyone who prays8 to any god or human other than you, O king, should be thrown into a den of lions. 6:8 Now let the king establish a written interdict9 so that it cannot to be altered, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed. 6:9 So King Darius issued the written interdict.

6:10 When Daniel realized10 that a written decree had been issued, he entered his home, where the windows11 in his upper room opened toward Jerusalem.12 Three13 times daily he was14 kneeling15 and offering prayers and thanks to his God just as he had been accustomed to do previously. 6:11 Then those officials who had gone to the king16 came by collusion and found Daniel praying and asking for help before his God. 6:12 So they approached the king and said to him,17 "Did you not inscribe an edict to the effect that for the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human other than to you, O king, would be thrown into a den of lions?" The king replied, "That is correct,18 according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed." 6:13 Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the captives19 from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the edict you inscribed. Three times daily he offers his prayer."

6:14 When the king heard this, he was very displeased and began thinking about20 how he might rescue Daniel. Until late afternoon21 he was struggling to find a way to rescue him. 6:15 Then those men came by collusion to the king and22 said to him,23 "Recall,24 O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or decree that the king issues can be changed." 6:16 So the king gave the order,25 and Daniel was brought and thrown into a den26 of lions. The king consoled27 Daniel by saying, "Your God whom you continually serve will deliver you!" 6:17 Then a stone was brought and placed over the opening28 to the den. The king sealed29 it with his signet ring and with those30 of his nobles so that nothing could be changed with regard to Daniel. 6:18 Then the king departed to his palace. But he spent the night without eating, and no diversions31 were brought to him. He was unable to sleep.32

God Rescues Daniel from the Lions

6:19 In the morning, at the earliest sign of daylight, the king got up and rushed quickly to the lions' den. 6:20 As he approached the den, he called out to Daniel in a worried voice,33 "Daniel, servant of the living God, was your God whom you continually serve able to deliver you from the lions?"

6:21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever! 6:22 My God sent his angel and closed the lions' mouths so that they have not harmed me, because I was found to be innocent before him. Nor have I done any harm to you, O king."

6:23 Then the king was very pleased and gave an order to haul Daniel up from the den. So Daniel was hauled up out of the den, and no injury of any kind was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 6:24 The king gave another order, and those men who had maliciously accused34 Daniel were brought and thrown35 into the lions' den--they, their children, and their wives.36 They did not even reach the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

6:25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and language groups who were living in all the land: "Best wishes! 6:26 I have issued an edict that throughout all the dominion of my kingdom people reverence and fear the God of Daniel.

6:28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and39 the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel has a Vision of Four Animals Coming up from the Sea

7:1 In the first1 year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream with mental visions2 while he was lying on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream in summary fashion.3 7:2 Daniel explained:4 "I was watching in my vision during the night as the four winds of the sky5 were stirring up the great sea.6 7:3 Then four large beasts came up from the sea; they were different from one another.

7:4 "The first one was like a lion with eagles' wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off and it was lifted up from the ground. It was made to stand on two feet like a human being and a human mind7 was given to it.8

7:5 Then a second beast appeared, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and there were three ribs9 in its mouth between its teeth.10 It was told, `Get up and devour much flesh!'

7:6 After these things, as I was watching, another beast like a leopard appeared, with four bird-like wings on its back.11 This beast had four heads,12 and ruling authority was given to it.

7:7 After these things, as I was watching in the night visions a fourth beast appeared--one dreadful, terrible, and very strong.13 It had two large rows14 of iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and anything that was left it trampled with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns.

7:8 "As I was contemplating the horns, another horn--a small one--came up between them, and three of the former horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it.15 This horn had eyes resembling human eyes and a mouth speaking arrogant things.

7:9 "While I was watching,

7:11 "Then I kept on watching because of the arrogant words of the horn that was speaking. I was watching18 until the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to flaming fire. 7:12 As for the rest of the beasts, their ruling authority had already been removed, though they were permitted to go on living19 for a time and a season. 7:13 I was watching in the night visions,

An Angel Interprets Daniel's Vision

7:15 "As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed,24 and the visions of my mind were troubling me. 7:16 I approached one of those standing nearby and asked him about the meaning of all this. So he spoke with me and enabled me to understand the interpretation of the vision:25 7:17 `These large beasts, which are four in number, represent four kings who will arise from the earth. 7:18 The holy ones26 of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will take possession of the kingdom forever and ever.'

7:19 "Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different form all the others--very dreadful, with two rows of iron teeth and bronze claws, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled anything that was left with its feet--7:20 and the meaning of the ten horns on its head, and that other horn which came up and before which three others fell. This was the horn that had eyes27 and a mouth speaking arrogant things, whose appearance was more formidable than the others.28 7:21 While I was watching, that horn began to wage war against the holy ones and was defeating them, 7:22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was rendered29 in favor of the holy ones of the Most High. Then the time arrived for the holy ones to take possession of the kingdom.

7:28 "This is the conclusion of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and the color drained from my face.34 But I kept the matter to myself."

Daniel Has a Vision of a Goat and a Ram

8:11 In the third year2 of King Belshazzar's reign, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the one that had appeared to me previously.3 8:2 In this vision I saw myself in Susa4 the citadel,5 which is located in the province of Elam. In the vision I saw myself at the Ulai Canal.6 8:3 I looked up and saw that a7 ram with two horns was standing at the canal. Its two horns were both long,8 but one was longer than the other. The longer one was coming up after the shorter one. 8:4 I saw that the ram was butting westward, northward, and southward. No animal9 was able to stand before it, and there was none who could deliver from its power. It acted as it wished and assumed great airs.10

8:5 While I was contemplating all this, a male goat11 was coming from the west over the surface of all the land12 without touching the ground. This goat had a conspicuous horn13 between its eyes. 8:6 It came to the two-horned ram that I had seen standing beside the canal and rushed against it with raging strength. 8:7 I saw it approaching the ram. It went into a fit of rage against the ram and struck it and broke off its two horns. The ram had no ability to resist it. The goat hurled the ram14 to the ground and trampled it. No one could deliver the ram from its power.15 8:8 The male goat assumed even greater airs. But no sooner had the large horn become strong than it was broken, and there arose four conspicuous horns16 in its place,17 extending toward the four winds of the sky.18

8:9 From one of them came a small horn.19 But it grew to be very big, toward the south and the east and the land of beauty.20 8:10 It grew so big it reached the host of heaven, and it brought about the fall of some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, where it trampled them. 8:11 It also assumed great airs even against the Prince of the host,21 from whom22 the daily sacrifice was removed and whose sanctuary23 was thrown down. 8:12 The host was given over,24 along with the daily sacrifice, in the course of transgression.25 It hurled26 truth27 to the ground and proceeded with success.

8:13 Then I heard a holy one28 speaking. Another holy one said to the one who was speaking, "To what period of time does the vision pertain, concerning the daily sacrifice and the desolating transgression and the giving over of both the sanctuary and host to be trampled?" 8:14 He said to me, "To 2,300 evenings and mornings;29 then the sanctuary will be vindicated."

An Angel Interprets Daniel's Vision

8:15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision, I sought to understand it. Now one who appeared to be a man was standing before me. 8:16 Then I heard a human voice coming from between the banks of the Ulai. It called out, "Gabriel,30 enable this person to understand the vision." 8:17 So he approached where I was standing. As he came, I felt terrified and fell flat on the ground. Then he said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision pertains to the time of the end." 8:18 As he spoke with me, I fell into a trance with my face to the ground. But he touched me and stood me upright.

8:19 Then he said, "I am going to inform you about what will be in the latter time of wrath, for the vision31 pertains to the appointed time of the end. 8:20 The ram that you saw with the two horns stands for the kings of Media and Persia. 8:21 The male goat32 is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king. 8:22 The horn that was broken33 and in whose place there arose four others stands for four kingdoms that will arise from his nation, though they will not have his strength. 8:23 Toward the end of their rule, when transgressions34 are complete, a rash and duplicitous king will arise. 8:24 His power will be great, but it will not be by his strength alone. He will be destructive to an extraordinary degree. He will destroy powerful people and the people of the holy ones. 8:25 By his skill he will make deceit successful through his influence. In his own mind he will assume great airs, and he will destroy many who are unaware of his schemes. He will rise up against the Prince of princes, but he will be broken apart from human agency. 8:26 The vision of the evenings and mornings that was told to you is correct. But you should seal up the vision, for it refers to a time many days from now."

8:27 I, Daniel, was exhausted35 and sick for days. Then I got up and again carried out the king's business. But I was astonished at the vision, and there was no one to explain it.

Daniel Prays for His People

9:1 In the first1 year of Darius son of Ahasuerus,2 who was of Median descent and who had been3 appointed king over the Babylonian4 empire--9:2 in the first year of his reign5 I, Daniel, came to understand from the sacred books that, according to the word of the LORD6 disclosed to the prophet Jeremiah, the years for the fulfilling of the reproach of Jerusalem were seventy in number. 9:3 So I turned my attention to the Lord God7 to implore him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. 9:4 I prayed to the LORD my God, confessing in this way:

"O Lord,8 great and wondrous God who keeps covenant fidelity9 with those who love him and keep his commandments, 9:5 we have sinned, behaving with iniquity and wickedness, and we have rebelled by turning away from your commandments and judgments. 9:6 We have not paid attention to your servants the prophets, who spoke as your representatives to our kings, our leaders, and our ancestors,10 and to all the inhabitants of the land as well.

9:7 "Righteousness belongs to you, O Lord, but great shame belongs to us this day--to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far away in all the countries in which you have scattered them, because they have behaved unfaithfully toward you. 9:8 O LORD, great shame belongs to us, our kings, our leaders, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. 9:9 Yet to the Lord our God is compassionate and forgiving,11 even though we have sinned against him. 9:10 We have not paid attention to the voice of the LORD our God by living in the light of his laws12 he set before us through his servants the prophets.

9:11 "All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away by not paying attention to your voice. Therefore you have poured out on us this curse and the oath written in the law of Moses the servant of God, for we have sinned against you.13 9:12 He has fulfilled his words which he spoke against us and our rulers14 who were over us by bringing tremendous calamity on us--what was done with Jerusalem has never been equaled under all heaven! 9:13 Just as it is written in the law of Moses, so all this calamity has come on us. Still we have not tried to appease the LORD our God by turning away from our iniquity and by gaining insight from his truth. 9:14 The LORD was mindful of the calamity, and he brought it on us. For the LORD our God is righteous in all his deeds that he has done, and we have not paid attention to his voice.

9:15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with great power15 and made a name for yourself that is remembered to this day--we have sinned and behaved wickedly. 9:16 O Lord, according to all your righteousness, please turn your anger and wrath away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. For due to our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people are mocked by all our neighbors.

9:17 "So hear favorably now, our God, the prayer and supplications of your servant, and let your face shine on your devastated sanctuary for your own sake.16 9:18 Listen attentively,17 my God, and hear! Open your eyes and look on our desolations and the city which is identified with you.18 For it is not because of our own righteous deeds that we are praying,19 but because your compassion is abundant. 9:19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, pay attention, and act! Don't delay, for your own sake, O my God! For you are identified with your city and with your people."

Gabriel Gives to Daniel a Prophecy of Seventy Weeks

9:20 While I was still speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my request before the LORD my God concerning his holy mountain20-- 9:21 yes, while I was still praying,21 the man Gabriel whom I had seen previously in a vision was approaching me in my state of extreme weariness,22 around the time of the evening offering. 9:22 He spoke with me, instructing me as follows: "Daniel, I have now come to impart understanding to you. 9:23 At the beginning of your requests a message went out, and I have come to convey it to you, for you are a precious treasure. Therefore consider the message and understand the vision:23

An Angel Appears to Daniel

10:11 In the third2 year of King Cyrus of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel (who was also called Belteshazzar). This message was true and concerned a great war.3 He understood the message and gained insight by the vision.

10:2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.4 10:3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine came to my lips,5 nor did I anoint myself with oil6 until the end of those three weeks.

10:4 On the twenty-fourth day7 of the first month8 I was beside the great river, the Tigris.9 10:5 I looked up10 and saw a11 man12 clothed in linen;13 around his waist was a belt made of gold from Upaz.14 10:6 His body resembled yellow jasper,15 and his face was like lightning. His eyes were like blazing torches; his arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze. His voice16 thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd.

10:7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it.17 On the contrary, they were overcome with fright and ran away to hide. 10:8 I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from me, and my vigor dissipated; I was without energy. 10:9 I listened to his voice,18 and as I did so19 I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground. 10:10 Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees.20 10:11 He said to me, "Daniel, you are a treasured person. Understand the words that I am about to21 speak to you. So stand up,22 for I have now been sent to you." When he said this23 to me, I stood up shaking. 10:12 Then he said to me, "Don't be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind24 to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. 10:13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there25 with the kings of Persia. 10:14 Now I have come to enable you to understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days."

10:15 While he was saying this to me,1 I was flat on the ground and unable to speak. 10:16 Then one who appeared to be a human being2 was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, "Sir,3 due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I am utterly without strength. 10:17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you?4 My strength is gone, and I am breathless." 10:18 Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again5 and energized me. 10:19 He said to me, "Don't be afraid, treasured person. Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!" When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, "Sir, you may speak now, for you have given me strength." 10:20 He said, "Do you know why I have come to you?6 Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming. 10:21 However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book.7 (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes,8 except Michael your prince. 11:1 And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I9 stood to strengthen him and to provide protection for him.) 11:2 Now I will tell you the truth.

The Angel Gives a Message to Daniel

"Three10 more kings will arise for Persia. Then a fourth11 king will be unusually rich, more so than all who preceded him. When he has amassed power through his riches, he will stir up everyone against12 the kingdom of Greece. 11:3 Then a powerful king13 will arise, exercising great authority and doing as he pleases. 11:4 Shortly after his rise to power, his kingdom will be broken up and distributed toward the four winds of the sky14--but not to his posterity or with the authority he exercised, for his kingdom will be uprooted and distributed to others besides these.

11:5 "Then the king of the south15 and one of his subordinates16 will grow strong. His subordinate17 will grow strong against him and will rule a kingdom greater than his. 11:6 After some years have passed, they18 will form an alliance. Then the daughter19 of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement, but she will not retain her power,20 nor will he continue in his strength.21 She, together with the one who brought her, her child,22 and her benefactor, will all be delivered over at that time.23

11:7 "There will arise in her place one from her family line24 who will come against their army and will enter the stronghold of the king of the north and will move against them successfully. 11:8 He will also take their gods into captivity to Egypt, along with their cast images and prized utensils of silver and gold. Then he will withdraw for some years from25 the king of the north. 11:9 Then the king of the north26 will advance against the empire of the king of the south, but will withdraw to his own land. 11:10 His sons27 will wage war, mustering a large army which will advance like an overflowing river and carrying the battle all the way to the enemy's28 fortress.

11:11 "Then the king of the south29 will be enraged and will march out to fight against the king of the north, who will also muster a large army, but that army will be delivered into his hand. 11:12 When the army is taken away, the king of the south will become arrogant.30 He will be responsible for the death of thousands and thousands of people,31 but he will not continue to prevail. 11:13 For the king of the north will again muster an army, one larger than before. At the end of some years he will advance with a huge army and enormous supplies.

11:14 "In those times many will oppose the king of the south.32 Those characterized by violence among your own people will rise up in confirmation of the vision, but they will falter. 11:15 Then the king of the north will advance and will build siege mounds and capture a well-fortified city.33 The forces of the south will not prevail, not even his finest contingents. They will have no strength to prevail. 11:16 The one advancing against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to stand before him. He will prevail in the land of beauty, and its annihilation will be within his power. 11:17 His intention will be to come with the strength of his entire kingdom, but he will bring with him alliances which he will enact.34 And he will give the king of the south35 a daughter36 in marriage in order to destroy the kingdom, but it will not turn out to his advantage. 11:18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastal regions and will capture many of them. But a commander37 will bring his shameful conduct to a halt; in addition,38 he will turn his shameful conduct back on him. 11:19 He will then turn his attention to the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall, not to be found again. 11:20 There will arise after him one39 who will send out an exactor40 of tribute to enhance the splendor of the kingdom, but after a few years he will be destroyed,41 though not in anger or battle.

11:21 "Then there will arise in his place a despicable person42 to whom the royal honor has not been rightfully conferred. He will come on the scene in a time of prosperity and will seize the kingdom through duplicity. 11:22 Armies will be suddenly43 swept away in defeat before him; both they and a covenant leader44 will be destroyed.45 11:23 After46 entering into an alliance with him, he will behave treacherously; he will ascend to power with only a small force. 11:24 In a time of prosperity for the most productive areas of the province he will enter and accomplish what neither his fathers nor their fathers were able to do.47 He will distribute loot, spoils, and property to his followers, and he will devise plans against fortified cities, but not for long. 11:25 He will rouse his strength and enthusiasm against the king of the south48 with a large army. The king of the south will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to prevail because of the plans devised against him. 11:26 Those who share in the king's fine food will attempt to destroy him, and his army will be swept away;49 many will be killed in battle. 11:27 These two kings, their minds filled with evil intentions, will trade lies with one another at the same table. But it will not succeed, for there is still an end at the appointed time. Then he will return to his land with a great deal of property, yet with his mind opposing a holy covenant. He will initiate action and then return to his land. 11:28 Then the king of the north50 will return to his own land with much property. His mind will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action, and then return to his own land. 11:29 At an appointed time he will again enter the south, but this latter visit will not turn out the way the former one did. 11:30 The ships of Kittim51 will go against him, leaving him disheartened.52 He will turn back and direct his indignation against the holy covenant. He will return and honor53 those who forsake the holy covenant. 11:31 His forces54 will rise up and profane the fortified sanctuary,55 stopping the daily sacrifice. In its place they will set up56 the abomination that makes for desolation. 11:32 Then he will defile57 those who have acted wickedly toward the covenant. But the people who know their God will act valiantly.58 11:33 These who are wise among the people will teach the masses.59 However, they will fall60 by the sword, and by burning, and be imprisoned and plundered for some time.61 11:34 When they stumble, they will be granted some help. But many will unite with them duplicitously. 11:35 Even some of the wise will stumble, resulting in their refinement, purification, and cleansing until the time of the end, for it is still for the appointed time.

11:36 "Then the king62 will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every deity and he will utter presumptuous things against the God of gods. He will succeed until the wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must occur.63 11:37 He will not even consider the gods of his fathers--not even the god64 regarded by women. He will not consider any god; he will elevate himself above them all. 11:38 What he will honor is a god of fortresses--a god his fathers did not acknowledge he will honor with gold, silver, valuable stones, and treasured commodities. 11:39 He will take action against mighty fortresses, aided by a foreign deity. Those who recognize him he will grant considerable honor. He will place them in authority over many people, and he will parcel out land for a price.65

11:40 "At the time of the end the king of the south will attack66 him. Then the king of the north will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and a large armada.67 He will invade lands, passing through them like an overflowing river. 11:41 Then he will enter the land of beauty. Many68 will fall, but these will escape: Edom, Moab, and the Ammonite leadership. 11:42 He will extend his power against other lands; the land of Egypt will not escape. 11:43 He will have sovereign control over the hidden stores of gold, silver, and all the treasures of Egypt. Libyans and Ethiopians69 will also follow in submission after him.70 11:44 But reports will trouble him from the east and north, and he will set out in a tremendous rage to destroy and wipe out many. 11:45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas71 toward the beautiful holy mountain. But he will come to his end, with no one to assist him.

12:4 "But you, Daniel close up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will dart to and fro,4 and knowledge will increase."

12:5 I, Daniel, watched as two others stood there, one on each side of the river.5 12:6 One said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river, "When will the end of these wondrous events occur?" 12:7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen who was over the waters of the river as he raised both his right and left hands to the sky6 and swore by the one who lives forever: "It is for a time, times, and half a time. Then when the power of the one who shatters7 the holy people has been exhausted, all these things will be finished."

12:8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, "Sir,8 what will happen after all these things?" He said, "Go, Daniel. For these matters are closed and sealed until the time of the end. 12:10 Many will be purified, made clean, and refined, but the wicked will go on being wicked. None of the wicked will understand, though the wise will understand. 12:11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is removed and the abomination that causes desolation is set in place,9 there are 1,290 days. 12:12 Blessed is the one who waits and attains to the 1,335 days. 12:13 But you should go your way10 until the end.11 You will rest and then at the end of the days you will arise to what you have been allotted."12