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 other who can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling isn’t with flesh.”

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.