1 In the third year of the reign of Yehoyakim king of Yehudah (Judah), Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) king of Bavel (Babylon) came to Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and besieged it. 2 The master[fn] gave Yehoyakim king of Yehudah into his hand, with part of the vessels of God’s house;[fn] and he carried them into the land of Shin’ar to his god’s house. He brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

3 The king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in some of the Israeli people (Israel), even some of the royal descendants[fn] and the leading citizens—4 youths in whom was no defect, but well-favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and endowed with knowledge, and understanding science, and who had the ability to serve in the king’s palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the language of the Kasdim (Chaldeans). 5 The king appointed for them a daily portion of the king’s delicacies, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at its end they should serve the king.

6 Now among these were of the children of Yehudah: Daniyel, Hananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah. 7 The prince of the eunuchs gave names to them: to Daniyel he gave the name Belteshatsar (Belteshazzar); to Hananyah, Shadrak; to Mishael, Meyshak; and to Azaryah, Aved-Nego.

8 But Daniyel purposed in his heart that he wouldn’t defile himself with the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God made Daniyel find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. 10 The prince of the eunuchs said to Daniyel, “I fear my lord the king, who’s appointed your food and your drink. Because why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths who are of your own age? Then you’d endanger my head with the king.”

11 Then Daniyel said to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniyel, Hananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah: 12 “Test your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our faces be examined before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king’s delicacies; and as you see, deal with your servants.” 14 So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of ten days, their faces appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths who ate of the king’s delicacies. 16 So the steward took away their delicacies, and the wine that they’d drink, and gave them vegetables.

17 Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniyel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

18 At the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar). 19 The king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniyel, Hananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah. Therefore they served the king. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.

21 Daniyel continued serving even to the first year of King Koresh (Cyrus).

2 In the second year of Nevukadnetsar’s reign, Nevukadnetsar dreamt dreams; and his spirit was troubled, and his sleep went from him. 2 Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Kasdim be called to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 The king said to them, “I have dreamt a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.”

4 Then the Kasdim (Chaldeans) spoke to the king in the Arami (Syrian) language, “Oh king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we’ll show the interpretation.”

5 The king answered the Kasdim, “The thing has gone from me. If you don’t make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you’ll be cut in pieces, and your houses will be made a dunghill. 6 But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you’ll receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honour. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.”

7 They answered the second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we’ll show the interpretation.”

8 The king answered, “I know of a certainty that you’re trying to gain time, because you see the thing has gone from me. 9 But if you don’t make known to me the dream, there’s but one law for you; for you’ve prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, until the situation changes. Therefore tell me the dream, and I’ll know that you can show me its interpretation.”

10 The Kasdim answered before the king, and said, “There isn’t a man on the earth who can show the king’s matter, because no king, lord, or ruler, has asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or Chaldean. 11 It’s a rare thing that the king requires, and there’s no one else who can show it before the king, except the gods and they don’t live here with people.”

12 Because of this, the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Bavel (Babylon) be destroyed. 13 So the decree went out, and the wise men were to be slain. They searched for Daniyel and his companions to be slain.

14 Then Daniyel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Areyok the captain of the king’s guard, who’d gone out to kill the wise men of Bavel. 15 He answered Areyok the king’s captain, “Why is the decree so urgent from the king?” Then Areyok made the thing known to Daniyel. 16 Daniyel went in, and desired of the king that he’d appoint him a time, and he’d show the king the interpretation.

17 Then Daniyel went to his house and made the thing known to Hananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah, his companions, 18 that they’d desire mercies of the god of heaven about this secret, and that Daniyel and his companions wouldn’t perish with the rest of the wise men of Bavel. 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniyel in a vision of the night. Then Daniyel blessed the god of heaven. 20 Daniyel answered,

“Blessed be God’s name forever and ever;

for wisdom and might are his.

21 He changes the times and the seasons.

He removes kings and sets up kings.

He gives wisdom to the wise,

and knowledge to those who have understanding.

22 He reveals the deep and secret things.

He knows what’s in the darkness,

and the light lives with him.

23 I thank you and praise you,

Oh God of my fathers,

who’ve given me wisdom and might,

and have now made known to me what we desired of you;

for you’ve made known to us the king’s matter.”

24 Therefore Daniyel went in to Areyok, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Bavel (Babylon). He went and said this to him: “Don’t destroy the wise men of Bavel. Bring me in before the king, and I’ll show to the king the interpretation.”

25 Then Areyok brought in Daniyel before the king in haste, and said this to him: “I’ve found a man of the children of the captivity of Yehudah (Judah) who’ll make known to the king the interpretation.”

26 The king answered Daniyel, whose name was Belteshatsar (Belteshazzar), “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I’ve seen, and its interpretation?”

27 Daniyel answered before the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded can’t be shown to the king by wise men, enchanters, magicians, or soothsayers; 28 but there’s a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he’s made known to King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) what’ll be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head on your bed, are these:

29 “As for you, Oh king, your thoughts came on your bed, what should happen in the future; and he who reveals secrets has made known to you what’ll happen. 30 But as for me, this secret isn’t revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.

31 “You, Oh king, saw, and[fn] a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood before you; and its appearance was terrifying. 32 As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its chest and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet part of iron, and part of clay. 34 You saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors. The wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them. The stone that struck the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

36 “This is the dream; and we’ll tell its interpretation before the king. 37 You, Oh king, are king of kings, to whom the god of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the glory. 38 Wherever the children of men live, he’s given the animals of the field and the birds of the sky into your hand, and has made you rule over them all. You’re the head of gold.

39 “After you, another kingdom will arise that’s inferior to you; and a third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over all the earth. 40 The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, it’ll break in pieces and crush. 41 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, it’ll be a divided kingdom; but there’ll be in it of the strength of the iron, because you saw the iron mixed with miry clay. 42 As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong, and partly brittle. 43 Whereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they’ll mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they won’t cling to one another, even as iron doesn’t mix with clay.

44 “In the days of those kings the god of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereignty be left to another people; but it’ll break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it’ll stand forever. 45 Because you saw that a 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’ll happen in the future. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

46 Then King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) fell on his face, worshipped Daniyel, and commanded that they should offer an offering and sweet odours to him. 47 The king answered to Daniyel, and said, “Of a truth your god is the god of gods, and the master of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you’ve been able to reveal this secret.”

48 Then the king made Daniyel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him rule over the whole province of Bavel (Babylon), and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Bavel. 49 Daniyel requested of the king, and he appointed Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego over the affairs of the province of Bavel; but Daniyel was in the king’s gate.

3 Nevukadnetsar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits,[fn] and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Bavel. 2 Then Nevukadnetsar the king sent to gather together the local governors, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nevukadnetsar the king had set up. 3 Then the local governors, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together to the dedication of the image that Nevukadnetsar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nevukadnetsar had set up.

4 Then the herald cried aloud, “To you it’s commanded, peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nevukadnetsar the king has set up. 6 Anyone who doesn’t fall down and worship will be thrown into the middle of a burning fiery furnace the same hour.”

7 Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nevukadnetsar the king had set up.

8 Therefore at that time certain Kasdim (Chaldeans) came near, and brought accusation against the Yehudim (Jews). 9 They answered Nevukadnetsar the king, “Oh king, live forever! 10 You, Oh king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden image; 11 and anyone who doesn’t fall down and worship will be thrown into the middle of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Yehudim whom you’ve appointed over the affairs of the province of Bavel (Babylon): Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego. These men, Oh king, haven’t respected you. They don’t serve your gods, and don’t worship the golden image which you’ve set up.”

13 Then Nevukadnetsar in rage and fury commanded that Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego be brought. Then these men were brought before the king. 14 Nevukadnetsar answered them, “Is it on purpose, Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego, that you don’t serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I’ve set up? 15 Now if you’re ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I’ve made, good; but if you don’t worship, you’ll be thrown the same hour into the middle of a burning fiery furnace. Who’s that god who’ll deliver you out of my hands?”

16 Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego answered the king, “Nevukadnetsar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If it happens, our god whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he’ll deliver us out of your hand, Oh king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, Oh king, that we won’t serve your gods or worship the golden image which you’ve set up.”

19 Then Nevukadnetsar was full of fury, and the form of his appearance was changed against Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego. He spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego, and to throw them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, their mantles, and their other clothes, and were thrown into the middle of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace extremely hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego. 23 These three men, Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego, fell down bound into the middle of the burning fiery furnace.

24 They walked in the middle of the fire, praising God, and blessing the master. 25 Then Azaryah stood, and prayed like this. Opening his mouth in the middle of the fire he said, 26 “Blessed are you, Oh master, you God of our fathers! Your name is worthy to be praised and glorified forever; 27 for you’re righteous in all the things that you’ve done. Yes, all your works are true. Your ways are right, and all your judgements are truth. 28 In all the things that you’ve brought onto us, and onto the holy city of our fathers, Yerushalem (Jerusalem), you’ve executed true judgements. Because according to truth and justice you’ve brought all these things onto us because of our sins. 29 Because we’ve sinned and committed iniquity in departing from you. 30 In all things we’ve trespassed, and not obeyed your commandments or kept them. We haven’t done as you’ve commanded us, that it might go well with us. 31 Therefore all that you’ve brought onto us, and everything that you’ve done to us, you’ve done in true judgement. 32 You delivered us into the hands of lawless enemies, most hateful rebels, and to an unjust king who’s the most wicked in all the world. 33 And now we can’t open our mouth. Shame and reproach have come on your servants and those who worship you. 34 Don’t utterly deliver us up, for your name’s sake. Don’t annul your covenant. 35 Don’t cause your mercy to depart from us, for the sake of Avraham who’s loved by you, and for the sake of Yitshak (Isaac) your servant, and Yisrael (Israel) your holy one, 36 to whom you promised that you’d multiply their descendants as the stars of the sky, and as the sand that’s on the sea shore. 37 Because we, Oh master, have become less than any nation, and are brought low this day in all the world because of our sins. 38 There isn’t at this time prince, or prophet, or leader, or burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place to offer before you, and to find mercy. 39 Nevertheless in a contrite heart and a humble spirit let us be accepted, 40 like the burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and like ten thousands of fat lambs. So let our sacrifice be in your sight this day, that we may wholly go after you, for they won’t be ashamed who put their trust in you. 41 And now we follow you with all our heart. We fear you, and seek your face. 42 Put us not to shame; but deal with us after your kindness, and according to the multitude of your mercy. 43 Deliver us also according to your marvellous works, and give glory to your name, Oh master. Let all those who harm your servants be confounded. 44 Let them be ashamed of all their power and might, and let their strength be broken. 45 Let them know that you’re the master, the only God, and glorious over the whole world.”

46 The king’s servants who put them in didn’t stop making the furnace hot with naphtha, pitch, tinder, and small wood, 47 so that the flame streamed out forty nine cubits above the furnace. 48 It spread and burnt those Kasdim (Chaldeans) whom it found around the furnace. 49 But the angel of the master came down into the furnace together with Azaryah and his fellows, and he struck the flame of the fire out of the furnace, 50 and made the middle of the furnace as it’d been a moist whistling wind, so that the fire didn’t touch them at all. It neither hurt nor troubled them.

51 Then the three, as out of one mouth, praised, glorified, and blessed God in the furnace, saying, 52 “Blessed are you, Oh master, you God of our fathers, to be praised and exalted above all forever! 53 Blessed is your glorious and holy name, to be praised and exalted above all forever! 54 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, to be praised and glorified above all forever! 55 Blessed are you who see the depths and sit on the cherubim, to be praised and exalted above all forever. 56 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, to be praised and extolled above all forever! 57 Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, to be praised and glorified forever!

58 Oh all you works of the master, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 59 Oh you heavens, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 60 Oh you angels of the master, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 61 Oh all you waters that are above the sky, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 62 Oh all you powers of the master, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 63 Oh you sun and moon, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 64 Oh you stars of heaven, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 65 Oh every shower and dew, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 66 Oh all you winds, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 67 Oh you fire and heat, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 68 Oh you dews and storms of snow, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 69 Oh you nights and days, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 70 Oh you light and darkness, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 71 Oh you cold and heat, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 72 Oh you frost and snow, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 73 Oh you lightnings and clouds, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 74 Oh let the earth bless the master! Let it praise and exalt him above all forever! 75 Oh you mountains and hills, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 76 Oh all you things that grow on the earth, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 77 Oh[fn] sea and rivers, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 78 Oh you springs, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 79 Oh you whales and all that move in the waters, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 80 Oh all you birds of the air, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 81 Oh all you wild animals and cattle, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 82 Oh you children of men, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 83 Oh let Yisrael (Israel) bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever. 84 Oh you priests of the master, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 85 Oh you servants of the master, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 86 Oh you spirits and souls of the righteous, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 87 Oh you who are holy and humble of heart, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 88 Oh Hananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah, bless the master! Praise and exalt him above all forever; for he’s rescued us from Haidais, and saved us from the hand of death! He’s delivered us out of the middle of the furnace and burning flame. He’s delivered us out of the middle of the fire. 89 Oh give thanks to the master, for he’s good; for his mercy is forever. 90 Oh all you who worship the master, bless the god of gods, praise him, and give him thanks; for his mercy is forever!”

91 Then Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) the king was astonished and rose up in haste. He spoke and said to his counsellors, “Didn’t we throw three men bound into the middle of the fire?”[fn]

They answered the king, “True, Oh king.”

92 He answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they’re unharmed. The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

93 Then Nevukadnetsar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego, you servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!”

Then Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego came out of the middle of the fire. 94 The local governors, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies. The hair of their head wasn’t singed. Their pants weren’t changed. The smell of fire wasn’t even on them.

95 Nevukadnetsar spoke and said, “Blessed be the god of Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego, who’s sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 96 Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, who speak anything evil against the god of Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego, will be cut in pieces, and their houses will be made a dunghill, because there’s no other god who’s able to deliver like this.”

97 Then the king promoted Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego in the province of Bavel (Babylon).[fn]

4 Nevukadnetsar the king,

to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who live in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

2 It’s seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked towards me.

3 How great are his signs!

How mighty are his wonders!

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom.

His dominion lasts throughout the generations.

4 I, Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar), was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Bavel (Babylon) before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Kasdim (Chaldeans), and the soothsayers came in; and I told the dream before them; but they didn’t make known to me its interpretation. 8 But at the last Daniyel came in before me, whose name was Belteshatsar (Belteshazzar), according to my god’s name, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. I told the dream before him, saying,

9 “Belteshatsar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I’ve seen, and its interpretation. 10 These were the visions of my head on my bed: I saw a tree in the middle of the earth; and its height was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and its height reached to the sky, and its sight to the end of all the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, and it had much fruit, and in it was food for all. The animals of the field had shade under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.

13 “I saw in the visions of my head on my bed, and a watcher and a holy one came down from the sky. 14 He cried aloud, and said this, ‘Cut down the tree and cut off its branches! Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit! Let the animals get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches. 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth. 16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let an animal’s heart be given to him. Then let seven times pass over him.

17 “ ‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’

18 “This dream I, King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar), have seen; and you, Belteshatsar (Belteshazzar), declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom aren’t able to make known to me the interpretation; but you’re able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

19 Then Daniyel, whose name was Belteshatsar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, “Belteshatsar, don’t let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you.”

Belteshatsar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries. 20 The tree that you saw, which grew and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and its sight to all the earth; 21 whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit plentiful, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation—22 it’s you, Oh king, who’ve grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth.

23 “Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, ‘Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him.’

24 “This is the interpretation, Oh king, and it’s the Most High’s decree, which has come on my lord the king: 25 that you’ll be driven from men, and you’ll live among the animals out in the countryside. You’ll be made to eat grass as oxen, and will be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times will pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will. 26 Their command to leave the stump of the roots of the tree means your kingdom will be sure to you, after you’ll have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Therefore, Oh king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your tranquillity.”

28 All this came on the King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar). 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Bavel (Babylon). 30 The king spoke and said, “Isn’t this great Bavel, which I’ve built as the royal home by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “Oh King Nevukadnetsar, to you it’s spoken: ‘The kingdom has departed from you. 32 You’ll be driven from men, and you’ll live with the animals out in the countryside. You’ll be made to eat grass like cows. Seven times will pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.’ ”

33 This was fulfilled the same hour on Nevukadnetsar. He was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

34 At the end of the days I, Nevukadnetsar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him who lives forever.

Because his dominion is an eternal dominion,

and his kingdom lasts throughout the generations.

35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;

and he does according to his will in the army of heaven,

and among the inhabitants of the earth;

and no one can stop his hand,

or ask him, “What are you doing?”

36 At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counsellors and my lords looked for me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar), praise and extol and honour the King of heaven; for all his works are right and his ways just; and those who walk in pride he’s able to humble.

5 Belshatsar (Belshazzar) the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2 Belshatsar, while he tasted the wine, commanded that the golden and silver vessels which Nevukadnetsar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Yerushalem (Jerusalem) be brought to him, that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of God’s house which was at Yerushalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of bronze, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

5 In the same hour, the fingers of a man’s hand came out and wrote near the lamp stand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace. The king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and his knees struck one against another.

7 The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Kasdim (Chaldeans), and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Bavel (Babylon), “The one who reads this writing and shows me its interpretation will be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and will be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

8 Then all the king’s wise men came in; but they couldn’t read the writing and couldn’t make known to the king the interpretation. 9 Then King Belshatsar (Belshazzar) was greatly troubled. His face was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed.

10 The queen because of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house. The queen spoke and said, “Oh king, live forever; don’t let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face be changed. 11 There’s a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light, understanding, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. The king, Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar), your father—yes, the king, your father—made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Kasdim, and soothsayers 12 because an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts were found in the same Daniyel, whom the king named Belteshatsar (Belteshazzar). Now let Daniyel be called, and he’ll show the interpretation.”

13 Then Daniyel was brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniyel, “Are you that Daniyel of the children of the captivity of Yehudah (Judah), whom the king my father brought out of Yehudah? 14 I’ve heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light, understanding, and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they couldn’t show the interpretation of the thing. 16 But I’ve heard of you, that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts. Now if you can read the writing, and make known to me its interpretation, you’ll be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold around your neck, and will be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

17 Then Daniyel answered the king, “Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I’ll read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

18 “To you, king, the Most High God gave Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty. 19 Because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He killed whom he wanted to, and he kept alive whom he wanted to. He raised up whom he wanted to, and he put down whom he wanted to. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 He was driven from the sons of men and his heart was made like the animals’, and he lived alongside the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like a cow, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.

22 “You, his son, Belshatsar (Belshazzar), haven’t humbled your heart, though you knew all this, 23 but have lifted up yourself against the master of heaven; and they’ve brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. You’ve praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, hear, or know; and you haven’t glorified the god in whose hand is your breath and whose are all your ways. 24 Then the part of the hand was sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed.

25 “This is the writing that was inscribed: ‘MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.’

26 “This is the interpretation of the thing:

MENE: God has counted your kingdom, and brought it to an end.

27 TEKEL: you’re weighed in the balances, and are found wanting.

28 PERES: your kingdom is divided, and given to the Madim (Medes) and Persians.”

29 Then Belshatsar (Belshazzar) commanded, and they clothed Daniyel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and declared that he should be the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

30 In that night Belshatsar the Chaldean King was slain. 31 Dareyavesh (Darius) the Madi (Mede) received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

6 It pleased Dareyavesh to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty local governors, who should be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniyel was one; that these local governors might give account to them, and that the king should suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniyel was distinguished above the presidents and the local governors, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

4 Then the presidents and the local governors tried to find occasion against Daniyel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion or fault, because he was faithful. There wasn’t any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We won’t find any occasion against this Daniyel, unless we find it against him about his god’s law.”

6 Then these presidents and local governors assembled together to the king, and said this to him, “King Dareyavesh, live forever! 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the local governors, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong decree, that anyone who asks a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, Oh king, he’ll be thrown into the den of lions. 8 Now, Oh king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not be changed, according to the law of the Madim (Medes) and Persians, which doesn’t alter.” 9 Therefore King Dareyavesh signed the writing and the decree.

10 When Daniyel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room towards Yerushalem (Jerusalem)) and he knelt on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his god, as he did before. 11 Then these men assembled together, and found Daniyel making petition and supplication before his god. 12 Then they came near, and spoke before the king about the king’s decree: “Haven’t you signed a decree that every man who makes a petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, Oh king, will be thrown into the den of lions?”

The king answered, “This thing is true, according to the law of the Madim and Persians, which doesn’t alter.”

13 Then they replied before the king, “That Daniyel, who’s of the children of the captivity of Yehudah (Judah), doesn’t respect you, Oh king, nor the decree that you’ve signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniyel to deliver him; and he laboured until the going down of the sun to rescue him.

15 Then these men assembled together to the king, and said to the king, “Know, Oh king, that it’s a law of the Madim and Persians, that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniyel, and threw him into the den of lions. The king spoke and said to Daniyel, “Your god whom you serve continually, he’ll deliver you.”

17 A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed about Daniyel. 18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting. No musical instruments were brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.

19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 When he came near to the den to Daniyel, he cried with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniyel, “Daniyel, servant of the living god, is your god, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?”

21 Then Daniyel said to the king, “Oh king, live forever! 22 My god has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they haven’t hurt me; because I’m innocent in his sight. Also before you, Oh king, I’ve done no harm.”

23 Then the king was extremely glad, and commanded that they should take Daniyel up out of the den. So Daniyel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he’d trusted in his god.

24 The king commanded, and they brought those men who’d accused Daniyel, and they threw them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions mauled them and broke all their bones in pieces before they came to the bottom of the den.

25 Then King Dareyavesh (Darius) wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who live in all the earth:

“Peace be multiplied to you.

26 “I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the god of Daniyel;

“for he’s the living god,

and steadfast forever.

His kingdom is that which won’t be destroyed.

His dominion will be even to the end.

27 He delivers and rescues.

He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth,

who’s delivered Daniyel from the power of the lions.”

28 So this Daniyel prospered in the reign of Dareyavesh (Darius), and in the reign of Koresh (Cyrus) the Persian.

7 In the first year of Belshatsar (Belshazzar) king of Bavel (Babylon), Daniyel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed. Then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.

2 Daniyel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night and the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea. 3 Four great animals came up from the sea, different from one another.

4 “The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man. A man’s heart was given to it.

5 “Listen, there was another animal, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said this to it: ‘Arise! Devour much flesh!’

6 “After this I saw another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The animal also had four heads; and dominion was given to it.

7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and there was a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and extremely strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different from all the animals that were before it. It had ten horns.

8 “I considered the horns, and another horn came up among them, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and in this horn were eyes like a man’s eyes, and a mouth speaking great things.

9 “I watched until thrones were placed,

and one who was Ancient of Days sat.

His clothing was white as snow,

and the hair of his head like pure wool.

His throne was fiery flames,

and its wheels burning fire.

10 A fiery stream issued and came out from before him.

Thousands of thousands ministered to him.

Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.

The judgement was set.

The books were opened.

11 “I watched at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke. I watched even until the animal was slain, its body destroyed, and it was given to be burnt with fire. 12 As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

13 “I saw in the night visions, and one like a son of man came with the clouds, and he came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him. 14 Dominion was given him, with glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an eternal dominion, which won’t pass away, and his kingdom won’t be destroyed.

15 “As for me, Daniyel, my spirit was grieved 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 about all this.

“So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. 17 ‘These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who’ll arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’

19 “Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth animal, which was different from all of them, extremely terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of bronze; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet; 20 and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows. 21 I saw, and the same horn made war with the saints and prevailed against them 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgement was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

23 “So he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 As for the ten horns, ten kings will arise out of this kingdom. Another will arise after them; and he’ll be different from the former, and he’ll put down three kings. 25 He’ll speak words against the Most High, and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He’ll plan to change the times and the law; and they’ll be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.

26 “ ‘But the judgement will be set, and they’ll take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. 27 The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and all dominions will serve and obey him.’

28 “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniyel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face was changed in me; but I kept the matter in my heart.”

8 In the third year of the reign of King Belshatsar (Belshazzar), a vision appeared to me, even to me, Daniyel, after that which appeared to me at the first. 2 I saw the vision. Now it was so, that when I saw, I was in the citadel of Shushan (Susa), which is in the province of Eylam. I saw in the vision, and I was by the river Ulay. 3 Then I lifted up my eyes, and saw a ram which had two horns stood before the river. The two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward. No animals could stand before him. There wasn’t anyone who could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and magnified himself.

5 As I was considering, look, a male goat came from the west over the surface of the whole earth, and didn’t touch the ground. The goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 He came to the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing before the river, and ran on him in the fury of his power. 7 I saw him come close to the ram, and he was moved with anger against him, and struck the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to stand before him; but he threw him down to the ground, and trampled on him. There was no one who could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8 The male goat magnified himself greatly. When he was strong, the great horn was broken; and instead of it there came up four notable horns towards the four winds of the sky.

9 Out of one of them came out a little horn, which grew very great, towards the south, and towards the east, and towards the glorious land. 10 It grew great, even to the army of the sky; and it threw down some of the army and of the stars to the ground, and trampled on them. 11 Yes, it magnified itself, even to the prince of the army; and it took away from him the continual burnt offering, and the place of his sanctuary was thrown down. 12 The army was given over to it together with the continual burnt offering through disobedience. It threw down truth to the ground, and it did its pleasure and prospered.

13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who spoke, “How long will the vision about the continual burnt offering, and the disobedience that makes desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the army to be trodden under foot be?”

14 He said to me, “To two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary will be cleansed.”

15 When I, even I Daniyel, had seen the vision, I tried to understand it. Then someone who looked like a man stood in front of me. 16 I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulay, which called, and said, “Gavriel (Gabriel), make this man understand the vision.”

17 So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was frightened, and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man; for the vision belongs to the time of the end.”

18 Now as he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face towards the ground; but he touched me, and set me upright.

19 He said, “Listen, I’ll make you know what’ll be in the latter time of the indignation; for it belongs to the appointed time of the end. 20 The ram which you saw, that had the two horns, they’re the kings of Maday (Media) and Paras (Persia). 21 The rough male goat is the king of Yavan (Greece). The great horn that’s between his eyes is the first king. 22 As for that which was broken, in the place where four stood up, four kingdoms will stand up out of the nation, but not with his power.

23 “In the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have come to the full, a king of fierce face, and understanding dark sentences, will stand up. 24 His power will be mighty, but not by his own power. He’ll destroy awesomely, and will prosper in what he does. He’ll destroy the mighty ones and the holy people. 25 Through his policy he’ll cause deceit to prosper in his hand. He’ll magnify himself in his heart, and he’ll destroy many in their security. He’ll also stand up against the prince of princes; but he’ll be broken without human power.

26 “The vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true; but seal up the vision, for it belongs to many days to come.”

27 I, Daniyel, fainted, and was sick for some days. Then I rose up, and did the king’s business. I wondered at the vision, but no one understood it.

9 In the first year of Dareyavesh (Darius) the son of Ahashverosh (Ahasuerus), one of the descendants of the Madim (Medes), who was made king over the realm of the Kasdim (Chaldeans), 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniyel, understood by the books the number of the years about which Yahweh’s word came to Yirmiyah (Jeremiah) the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Yerushalem (Jerusalem), even seventy years. 3 I set my face to the master God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting in sackcloth and ashes.

4 I prayed to my god Yahweh, and made confession, and said,

“Oh, master, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we’ve sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your ordinances. 6 We haven’t listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7 “Master, righteousness belongs to you, but to us confusion of face, as it’s today—to the men of Yehudah (Judah), and to the inhabitants of Yerushalem, and to all Yisrael (Israel), who are near, and who are far off, through all the countries where you’ve driven them, because of their trespass that they’ve trespassed against you. 8 Master, to us belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we’ve sinned against you. 9 To the master our god belong mercies and forgiveness; for we’ve rebelled against him. 10 We haven’t obeyed our god Yahweh’s voice, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 Yes, all Yisrael have transgressed your law, turning aside, that they wouldn’t obey your voice.

“Therefore the curse and the oath written in the law of Mosheh (Moses) the servant of God has been poured out on us; for we’ve sinned against him. 12 He’s confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges who judged us, by bringing on us a great evil; for under the whole sky, such hasn’t been done as has been done to Yerushalem. 13 As it’s written in Mosheh’s law, all this evil has come on us. Yet we haven’t entreated the favour of our god Yahweh, that we should turn from our iniquities and have discernment in your truth. 14 Therefore Yahweh has watched over the evil, and brought it on us; for our god Yahweh is righteous in all his works which he does, and we haven’t obeyed his voice.

15 “Now, master our god, who’s brought your people out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt) with a mighty hand, and have gotten yourself renown, as it’s today, we’ve sinned. We’ve done wickedly. 16 Master, according to all your righteousness, please let your anger and your anger be turned away from your city Yerushalem, your holy mountain, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Yerushalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us.

17 “Now therefore, our god, listen to the prayer of your servant, and to his petitions, and cause your face to shine on your sanctuary that’s desolate, for the master’s sake. 18 My god, turn your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by your name; for we don’t present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies’ sake. 19 Master, hear. Master, forgive. Master, listen and do. Don’t defer, for your own sake, my god, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

20 While I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Yisrael (Israel), and presenting my supplication before my god Yahweh for the holy mountain of my god—21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gavriel (Gabriel), whom I’d seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering. 22 He instructed me and talked with me, and said, “Daniyel, I’ve now come to give you wisdom and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your petitions the commandment went out and I’ve come to tell you, for you’re greatly beloved. Therefore consider the matter and understand the vision.

24 “Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, to put an end to sin, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in eternal righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.

25 “Know therefore and discern that from the going out of the commandment to restore and to build Yerushalem (Jerusalem) to the Anointed One,[fn] the prince, will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It’ll be built again with street and moat, even in troubled times. 26 After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One[fn] will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the prince who come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end will be with a flood, and war will be even to the end. Desolations are determined. 27 He’ll make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he’ll cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate. Even to the full end that’s decreed, anger will be poured out on the desolate.”

10 In the third year of Koresh (Cyrus) king of Paras (Persia) a revelation was revealed to Daniyel, whose name was called Belteshatsar (Belteshazzar). The revelation was true, even a great warfare. He understood the revelation, and had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniyel, was mourning three whole weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread. No meat or wine came into my mouth. I didn’t anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled.

4 In the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hidekel, 5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and there was a man clothed in linen, whose thighs were adorned with pure gold of Ufaz. 6 His body also was like beryl, and his face like the appearance of lightning, and his eyes like flaming torches. His arms and his feet were like burnished bronze. The voice of his words was like the voice of a multitude.

7 I, Daniyel, alone saw the vision; for the men who were with me didn’t see the vision; but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone, and saw this great vision. No strength remained in me; for my face grew deathly pale, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet I heard the voice of his words. When I heard the voice of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face towards the ground.

10 Listen, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 He said to me, “Daniyel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you. Stand upright, for I’ve been sent to you, now.” When he’d spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.

12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniyel; for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your god, your words were heard. I’ve come for your words’ sake. 13 But the prince of Paras’ (Persia’s) kingdom withstood me twenty-one days; but Mika’el (Michael), one of the chief princes, came to help me because I remained there with Paras’ kings. 14 Now I’ve come to make you understand what’ll happen to your people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for many days.”

15 When he’d spoken these words to me, I set my face towards the ground, and was mute. 16 Listen, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength. 17 Because how can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? Because as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me. There was no breath left in me.”

18 Then one like the appearance of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me. 19 He said, “Greatly beloved man, don’t be afraid. Peace be to you. Be strong. Yes, be strong.”

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak; for you’ve strengthened me.”

20 Then he said, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? Now I’ll return to fight with the prince of Paras (Persia). When I go out, look, the prince of Yavan (Greece) will come. 21 But I’ll tell you what’s inscribed in the writing of truth. There’s no one who supports me against these except Mika’el (Michael), your prince.

11 “As for me, in the first year of Dareyavesh (Darius) the Madi (Mede), I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.

2 “Now I’ll show you the truth. Listen, three more kings will stand up in Paras. The fourth will be far richer than all of them. When he’s grown strong through his riches, he’ll stir up all against the realm of Yavan. 3 A mighty king will stand up who’ll rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. 4 When he stands up, his kingdom will be broken, and will be divided towards the four winds of the sky, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom will be plucked up, even for others besides these.

5 “The king of the south will be strong. One of his princes will become stronger than him and have dominion. His dominion will be a great dominion. 6 At the end of years they’ll join themselves together. The daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement, but she won’t retain the strength of her arm. He’ll also not stand, nor will his arm; but she’ll be given up, with those who brought her and he who became her father, and he who strengthened her in those times.

7 “But out of a shoot from her roots one will stand up in his place who’ll come to the army and will enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and will deal against them and will prevail. 8 He’ll also carry their gods, with their molten images and their precious vessels of silver and of gold, captive into Mitsrayim (Egypt). He’ll refrain some years from the king of the north. 9 He’ll come into the realm of the king of the south, but he’ll return into his own land. 10 His sons will wage war and will assemble a multitude of great forces which will keep coming and overflow and pass through. They’ll return and wage war, even to his fortress.

11 “The king of the south will be moved with anger and will come out and fight with him, even with the king of the north. He’ll send out a great multitude, and the multitude will be given into his hand. 12 The multitude will be lifted up, and his heart will be exalted. He’ll throw down tens of thousands, but he won’t prevail. 13 The king of the north will return, and will send out a multitude greater than the former. He’ll come on at the end of the times, even of years, with a great army and with abundant supplies.

14 “In those times many will stand up against the king of the south. Also the children of the violent among your people will lift themselves up to establish the vision; but they’ll fall. 15 So the king of the north will come and build up a mound, and take a well-fortified city. The forces of the south won’t stand, neither will his chosen people, neither will there be any strength to stand. 16 But he who comes against him will do according to his own will, and no one will stand before him. He’ll stand in the glorious land, and destruction will be in his hand. 17 He’ll set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and with him equitable conditions. He’ll perform them. He’ll give him the daughter of women to corrupt her; but she won’t stand, and won’t be for him. 18 After this he’ll turn his face to the islands, and will take many; but a prince will cause the reproach offered by him to cease. Yes, moreover, he’ll cause his reproach to turn on him. 19 Then he’ll turn his face towards the fortresses of his own land; but he’ll stumble and fall, and won’t be found.

20 “Then one who’ll cause a tax collector to pass through the kingdom to maintain its glory will stand up in his place; but within few days he’ll be destroyed, not in anger, and not in battle.

21 “In his place, a contemptible person will stand up, to whom they hadn’t given the honour of the kingdom; but he’ll come in time of security, and will obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 22 The overwhelming forces will be overwhelmed from before him, and will be broken. Yes, also the prince of the covenant. 23 After the treaty is made with him, he’ll work deceitfully; for he’ll come up, and will become strong with a small people. 24 In time of security, he’ll come even on the fattest places of the province. He’ll do that which his fathers haven’t done, nor his fathers’ fathers. He’ll scatter among them prey, plunder, and substance. Yes, he’ll devise his plans against the fortresses, even for a time.

25 “He’ll stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south will wage war in battle with a very great and mighty army; but he won’t stand, for they’ll devise plans against him. 26 Yes, those who eat of his delicacies will destroy him, and his army will be swept away. Many will fall down slain. 27 As for both these kings, their hearts will be to do mischief, and they’ll speak lies at one table; but it won’t prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time. 28 Then he’ll return into his land with great wealth. His heart will be against the holy covenant. He’ll take action and return to his own land.

29 “He’ll return at the appointed time and come into the south; but it won’t be in the latter time as it was in the former. 30 Because ships of Kitim will come against him. Therefore he’ll be grieved, and will return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and will take action. He’ll even return, and have regard to those who forsake the holy covenant.

31 “Forces will stand on his part and they’ll profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and will take away the continual burnt offering. Then they’ll set up the abomination that makes desolate. 32 He’ll corrupt those who do wickedly against the covenant by flatteries; but the people who know their god will be strong and take action.

33 “Those who are wise among the people will instruct many; yet they’ll fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, many days. 34 Now when they fall, they’ll be helped with a little help; but many will join themselves to them with flatteries. 35 Some of those who are wise will fall, to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it’s yet for the appointed time.

36 “The king will do according to his will. He’ll exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and will speak marvellous things against the god of gods. He’ll prosper until the indignation is accomplished; for what’s determined will be done. 37 He won’t regard the gods of his fathers, or the desire of women, or regard any god; for he’ll magnify himself above all. 38 But in his place he’ll honour the god of fortresses. He’ll honour a god whom his fathers didn’t know with gold, silver, precious stones, and pleasant things. 39 He’ll deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god. He’ll increase with glory anyone who acknowledges him. He’ll cause them to rule over many, and will divide the land for a price.

40 “At the time of the end, the king of the south will contend with him; and the king of the north will come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, with horsemen, and with many ships. He’ll enter into the countries, and will overflow and pass through. 41 He’ll enter also into the glorious land, and many countries will be overthrown; but these will be delivered out of his hand: Edom, Moav (Moab), and the chief of the children of Amon. 42 He’ll also stretch out his hand against the countries. The land of Mitsrayim (Egypt) won’t escape. 43 But he’ll have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Mitsrayim. The Luvim (Libyans) and the Kushim (Ethiopians) will be at his steps. 44 But news out of the east and out of the north will trouble him; and he’ll go out with great fury to destroy and utterly to sweep away many. 45 He’ll plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he’ll come to his end, and no one will help him.

12 “At that time Mika’el (Michael) will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people. There’ll be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. At that time, your people will be delivered—everyone who’s found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniyel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased.”

5 Then I, Daniyel, looked, and two others stood, one on the river bank on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side. 6 One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be to the end of these wonders?”

7 I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever that it’ll be for a time, times, and a half; and when they’ve finished breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished.

8 I heard, but I didn’t understand. Then I said, “My lord, what’ll be the outcome of these things?”

9 He said, “Go your way, Daniyel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will purify themselves, make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked will do wickedly. None of the wicked will understand; but those who are wise will understand.

11 “From the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there’ll be one thousand and two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and comes to the one thousand and three hundred and thirty-five days.

13 “But go your way until the end; for you’ll rest and will stand in your inheritance at the end of the days.”

13 A[fn] man lived in Bavel (Babylon), and his name was Yehoyakim. 2 He took a wife, whose name was Shoshanah (Susanna), the daughter of Hilkiyah, a very fair woman, and one who feared the master. 3 Her parents were also righteous, and taught their daughter according to Mosheh’s (Moses’) law. 4 Now Yehoyakim was a great rich man, and had a beautiful garden next to his house. The Yehudim (Jews) used to come to him, because he was more honourable than all others. 5 The same year, two of the people’s elders were appointed to be judges, such as the master spoke of, that wickedness came from Bavel from elders who were judges, who were supposed to govern the people. 6 These were often at Yehoyakim’s house. All that had any lawsuits came to them.

7 When the people departed away at noon, Shoshanah went into her husband’s garden to walk. 8 The two elders saw her going in every day and walking; and they were inflamed with lust for her. 9 They perverted their own mind and turned away their eyes, that they might not look to heaven, nor remember just judgements. 10 And although they both were wounded with lust for her, yet dared not show the other his grief. 11 Because they were ashamed to declare their lust, what they desired to do with her. 12 Yet they watched eagerly from day to day to see her. 13 The one said to the other, “Let’s go home, now; for it’s dinner time.” 14 So when they’d gone out, they parted company, and turning back again, they came to the same place. After they’d asked one another the cause, they acknowledged their lust. Then they appointed a time both together, when they might find her alone.

15 It happened, as they watched on an opportune day, she went in as before with only two maids, and she desired to wash herself in the garden; for it was hot. 16 There was nobody there except the two elders who had hid themselves and watched her. 17 Then she said to her maids, “Bring me olive oil and ointment, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash myself.” 18 They did as she asked them and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at the side doors to fetch the things that she’d commanded them. They didn’t see the elders, because they were hidden.

19 Now when the maids had gone out, the two elders rose up and ran to her, saying, 20 “Listen, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we’re in love with you. Therefore consent to us, and lie with us. 21 If you won’t, we’ll testify against you, that a young man was with you; therefore you sent your maids away from you.”

22 Then Shoshanah (Susanna) sighed, and said, “I’m trapped; for if I do this thing, it’s death to me. If I don’t do it, I can’t escape your hands. 23 It’s better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the master.” 24 With that Shoshanah cried with a loud voice; and the two elders cried out against her. 25 Then one of them ran and opened the garden doors.

26 So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the side door to see what had happened to her. 27 But when the elders had told their tale, the servants were greatly ashamed; for there was never such a report made of Shoshanah.

28 The next day, when the people assembled to her husband Yehoyakim, the two elders came full of their wicked intent against Shoshanah to put her to death, 29 and said before the people, “Send for Shoshanah, the daughter of Hilkiyah, Yehoyakim’s wife.” So they sent; 30 and she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred. 31 Now Shoshanah was a very delicate woman, and beautiful to look at. 32 These wicked men commanded her to be unveiled, for she was veiled, that they might be filled with her beauty. 33 Therefore her friends and all who saw her wept. 34 Then the two elders stood up in the middle of the people and laid their hands on her head. 35 She, weeping, looked up towards heaven; for her heart trusted in the master.

36 The elders said, “As we walked in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away. 37 Then a young man who was hidden there came to her and lay with her. 38 And we, being in a corner of the garden, saw this wickedness and ran to them. 39 And when we saw them together, we couldn’t hold the man; for he was stronger than we, and opened the doors, and leapt out. 40 But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she wouldn’t tell us. We testify these things.

41 Then the assembly believed them, as those who were elders of the people and judges; so they condemned her to death.

42 Then Shoshanah (Susanna) cried out with a loud voice, and said, “Oh eternal God, you know the secrets, and know all things before they happen. 43 You know that they’ve testified falsely against me. Listen, I must die, even though I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.”

44 The master heard her voice. 45 Therefore when she was led away to be put to death, God raised up the holy spirit of a young youth, whose name was Daniyel. 46 He cried with a loud voice, “I’m clear from the blood of this woman!”

47 Then all the people turned them towards him, and said, “What do these words that you’ve spoken mean?”

48 So he, standing in the middle of them, said, “Are you all such fools, you Israeli men, that without examination or knowledge of the truth you’ve condemned a daughter of Yisrael (Israel)? 49 Return again to the place of judgement; for these have testified falsely against her.”

50 Therefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said to him, “Come, sit down among us, and show it to us, seeing God has given you the honour of an elder.”

51 Then Daniyel said to them, “Put them far apart from each another, and I’ll examine them.” 52 So when they were put apart one from another, he called one of them, and said to him, “Oh you who’ve become old in wickedness, now your sins have returned which you’ve committed before, 53 in pronouncing unjust judgement, condemning the innocent, and letting the guilty go free; although the master says, ‘You mustn’t kill the innocent and righteous.’ 54 Now then, if you saw her, tell me, under which tree did you see them companying together?”

He answered, “Under a mastick tree.”

55 And Daniyel said, “You’ve certainly lied against your own head; for even now the angel of God has received the sentence of God and will cut you in two.” 56 So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said to him, “Oh you seed of Kena’an (Canaan), and not of Yehudah (Judah), beauty has deceived you, and lust has perverted your heart. 57 Thus you have dealt with the daughters of Yisrael (Israel), and they for fear were intimate with you; but the daughter of Yehudah wouldn’t tolerate your wickedness. 58 Now therefore tell me, under which tree did you take them being intimate together?”

He answered, “Under an evergreen oak tree.”

59 Then Daniyel said to him, “You’ve also certainly lied against your own head; for the angel of God waits with the sword to cut you in two, that he may destroy you.”

60 With that, all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and blessed God, who saves those who hope in him. 61 Then they arose against the two elders, for Daniyel had convicted them of false testimony out of their own mouth. 62 According to Mosheh’s (Moses’) law they did to them what they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour. They put them to death, and the innocent blood was saved the same day. 63 Therefore Hilkiyah and his wife praised God for their daughter Shoshanah (Susanna), with Yehoyakim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her. 64 And from that day forth, Daniyel had a great reputation in the sight of the people.

14 King[fn] Astuages was gathered to his fathers, and Koresh (Cyrus) the Persian received his kingdom. 2 Daniyel lived with the king, and was honoured above all his friends.

3 Now the Babylonians had an idol called Bel, and every day twelve great measures of fine flour, forty sheep, and 250 litres of wine were spent on it. 4 The king honoured it and went daily to worship it; but Daniyel worshipped his own God. The king said to him, “Why don’t you worship Bel?”

5 He said, “Because I may not honour idols made with hands, but only the living god, who’s created the sky and the earth, and has sovereignty over all flesh.”

6 Then the king said to him, “Don’t you think that Bel is a living god? Don’t you see how much he eats and drinks every day?”

7 Then Daniyel laughed, and said, “Oh king, don’t be deceived; for this is just clay inside, and brass outside, and never ate or drank anything.”

8 So the king was angry, and called for his priests, and said to them, “If you don’t tell me who this is who devours these expenses, you’ll die. 9 But if you can show me that Bel devours them, then Daniyel will die; for he’s spoken blasphemy against Bel.”

Daniyel said to the king, “Let it be according to your word.”

10 Now there were seventy priests of Bel, besides their wives and children. The king went with Daniyel into Bel’s temple. 11 So Bel’s priests said, “Listen, we’ll leave; but you, Oh king, set out the food, and mix the wine and set it out, shut the door securely, and seal it with your own signet. 12 When you come in the morning, if you don’t find that Bel has eaten everything, we’ll suffer death, or else Daniyel, who speaks falsely against us.”

13 They weren’t concerned, for under the table they’d made a secret entrance, by which they entered in continually, and consumed those things. 14 It happened, when they’d gone out, the king set the food before Bel. Now Daniyel had commanded his servants to bring ashes, and they scattered them all over the temple in the presence of the king alone. Then they went out, shut the door, sealed it with the king’s signet, and so departed.

15 Now in the night, the priests came with their wives and children, as they usually did, and ate and drank it all. 16 In the morning, the king arose, and Daniyel with him. 17 The king said, “Daniyel, are the seals whole?”

He said, “Yes, Oh king, they’re whole.”

18 And as soon as he’d opened the door, the king looked at the table, and cried with a loud voice, “You’re great, Oh Bel, and with you is no deceit at all!”

19 Then Daniyel laughed, and held the king that he shouldn’t go in, and said, “Listen now the pavement, and mark well whose footsteps these are.”

20 The king said, “I see the footsteps of men, women, and children.” Then the king was angry, 21 and took the priests with their wives and children, who showed him the secret doors, where they came in and consumed the things that were on the table. 22 Therefore the king killed them, and delivered Bel into Daniyel’s power, who overthrew it and its temple.

23 In that same place there was a great dragon which Bavel’s (Babylon’s) people worshipped. 24 The king said to Daniyel, “Will you also say that this is of brass? Listen, he lives, eats and drinks. You can’t say that he’s no living god. Therefore worship him.”

25 Then Daniyel said, “I’ll worship the master my god; for he’s a living god. 26 But allow me, Oh king, and I’ll kill this dragon without sword or staff.”

The king said, “I allow you.”

27 Then Daniyel took pitch, fat, and hair, and melted them together, and made lumps of them. He put these in the dragon’s mouth, so the dragon ate and burst apart. Daniyel said, “Listen, these are the gods you all worship.”

28 When Bavel’s people heard that, they took great indignation, and conspired against the king, saying, “The king has become a Yehudi (Jew). He’s pulled down Bel, slain the dragon, and put the priests to the sword.” 29 So they came to the king, and said, “Deliver Daniyel to us, or else we’ll destroy you and your house.”

30 Now when the king saw that they trapped him, being constrained, the king delivered Daniyel to them. 31 They threw him into the lion’s den, where he was six days. 32 There were seven lions in the den, and they’d been giving them two carcasses and two sheep every day, which then weren’t given to them, intending that they’d devour Daniyel.

33 Now there was in Yehudah (Judea) the prophet Havakuk (Habakkuk),[fn] who’d made stew, and had broken bread into a bowl. He was going into the field to bring it to the harvesters. 34 But the angel of the master said to Havakuk, “Go carry the dinner that you have into Bavel to Daniyel, in the lions’ den.”

35 Havakuk said, “master, I never saw Bavel. I don’t know where the den is.”

36 Then the angel of the master took him by the crown, and lifted him up by the hair of his head, and with the blast of his breath set him in Bavel over the den.

37 Havakuk cried, saying, “Oh Daniyel, Daniyel, take the dinner which God has sent you.”

38 Daniyel said, “You’ve remembered me, Oh God! You haven’t forsaken those who love you!” 39 So Daniyel arose and ate; and the angel of God set Havakuk in his own place again immediately. 40 On the seventh day, the king came to mourn for Daniyel. When he came to the den, he looked in, and Daniyel was sitting. 41 Then the king cried with a loud voice, saying, “Great are you, Oh master, you God of Daniyel, and there’s none other beside you!” 42 So he drew him out, and threw those that were the cause of his destruction into the den; and they were devoured in a moment before his face.