Daniel Chapter 1
Daniel and his companions in Babylon
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
2 The Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the articles in the treasury of his god.
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the chief of his eunuchs, to bring some of the Israelites, from the royal family and the nobility,
4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
5 The king assigned them a daily portion from the king’s food and from the wine he drank, and instructed them to train for three years, so that at the end of that time they might stand before the king.
6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, of the sons of Judah.
7 The chief of the eunuchs gave them names: to Daniel, he gave Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine that he drank; and he asked the chief of the eunuchs for permission not to defile himself in this way.
9 Now God had caused Daniel to find favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs.
10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and your drink, for when he sees you looking paler than the young men of your age, you will bring charges against me before the king.”
11 Then Daniel said to Melzar, whom the chief of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 “ Please test your servants for ten days. Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.
13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the king’s food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.”
14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared better and stronger than those of the other boys who ate the king’s portion of food.
16 So Melsar took away their portion of food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. Daniel had understanding of all visions and dreams.
18 So when the time had run out for which the king had specified that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 The king spoke with them, and among them all there was none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they stood before the king.
20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in all his kingdom.
21 Daniel continued serving until the first year of King Cyrus.
Daniel Chapter 2
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream
1 In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and he could not sleep.
2 So the king summoned the magicians, astrologers, enchanters, and Chaldeans to tell him his dreams. They came and stood before the king.
3 The king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know its meaning.”
4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show you its interpretation.”
5 The king replied to the Chaldeans, “I have forgotten the matter. If you do not tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn to pieces, and your houses will be made of rubbish.
6 But if you tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Now tell me the dream and its interpretation.”
7 They answered a second time, saying, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show him its interpretation.”
8 The king answered and said, “I know for certain that you are stalling, because you see that the matter has escaped me.
9 If you do not show me the dream, there is only one sentence for you. You are certainly preparing a false and wicked answer to give me, while the time passes. Tell me, therefore, the dream, so that I may know that you can give me its interpretation.”
10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, “There is no one on earth who can reveal the king’s matter. Moreover, no king, prince, or lord has ever asked such a thing of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean.
11 For the matter that the king demands is difficult, and there is no one who can reveal it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
12 Therefore the king, in anger and great wrath, commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be killed.
13 And the decree went out that the wise men should be put to death; and they sought Daniel and his companions to kill them.
14 Then Daniel spoke wisely and prudently to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon.
15 He spoke and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why has the king issued this decree so hastily?” Then Arioch told Daniel what had happened.
16 And Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, and he would show the king the interpretation.
17 Then Daniel went to his house and told Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, what had happened.
18so that they might ask for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions would not perish with the other wise men of Babylon.
19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20 And Daniel spoke and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.
21 He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.
23 I give thanks and praise to You, O God of my fathers, for You have given me wisdom and strength, and now You have revealed to me what we asked of You; You have made known to us the king’s matter.”
24 After this, Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to kill the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not kill the wise men of Babylon; take me to the king, and I will show him the interpretation.”
25 Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king and said to him, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can give the king the interpretation.”
26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to tell me the dream I had and its interpretation?”
27 Daniel answered the king, saying, “The mystery that the king demands, neither wise men, nor astrologers, nor magicians, nor soothsayers can reveal to the king.
28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Here is your dream, and the visions you saw while lying on your bed:
29 As you lay on your bed, Your Majesty, your thoughts turned to you about things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is to come.”
30 And this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your heart.
31 You, O king, were looking, and behold, a great image. This image, which was very large and whose splendor was exceedingly great, stood before you, and its form was awesome.
32 The head of this image was of fine gold; its chest and arms of silver; its belly and thighs of bronze;
33 its legs of iron; its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.
34 You were watching until a stone was cut out, but not by human hands, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and smashed them.
35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer; the wind swept them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
36 This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation.
37 You, O king, are the king of kings, for the God of heaven has given you dominion, power, strength, and glory.
38 Wherever the sons of men dwell, or the beasts of the field, or the birds of the air, he has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.
39 After you another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours; then a third kingdom, one of bronze, which will rule over the whole earth.
40 And a fourth kingdom will be as strong as iron; And as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything, so it will break in pieces and shatter all these things.
41 And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with the clay.
42 And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.
43 Just as you saw the iron mixed with clay, so they will mingle with one another through human alliances; but they will not unite with one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.
44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people; it will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
45Just as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain, but not by human hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has shown the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy.
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell facedown and paid homage to Daniel, and he commanded that an offering and incense be presented to him.
47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”
48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many honors and great gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
49 Daniel petitioned the king and obtained Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in charge of the affairs of the province of Babylon. And Daniel was in the king’s court.
Daniel Chapter 3
Rescued from the fiery furnace
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, the prefects, the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, judges, treasurers, counselors, magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
4 And the herald proclaimed in a loud voice, “This is what is commanded you, O peoples, nations, and languages:
5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6 And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
7 Therefore, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 At that time some Chaldean men came and maliciously accused the Jews.
9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever!
10 You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden image;
11 and whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.
12 Now there are some Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, have not respected you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in a rage, ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought in. At once these men were brought before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?”
15Now then, are you ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image I have made? But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.
18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with anger, and the expression of his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual.
20 Then he commanded some of the strongest men in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
21 So these men were bound in their cloaks, trousers, turbans, and other garments and thrown into the blazing furnace.
22 Because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace was very hot, the flames killed those who had lifted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego up.
23 These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste and said to his counselors, “Did we not throw three men bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O king.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed. And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the burning fiery furnace and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come here.” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.
27 The satraps, governors, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered around to see these men. The fire had no power over their bodies; not a hair of their heads was singed, their clothes were not singed, and there was no smell of fire on them.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”
29 Therefore I decree that any people, nation, or language that speaks blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn to pieces, and their houses turned into dunghills, for there is no other god who can deliver like this one.
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Daniel Chapter 4
The madness of Nebuchadnezzar
1 King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.
2 I must declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
3 How great are his signs, and how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house, flourishing in my palace.
5 I had a dream that frightened me, and lying on my bed, the images and visions of my head troubled me.
6 Therefore I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me, so that they might show me the interpretation of the dream.
7 And the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers came, and I told them the dream, but they could not show me its interpretation,
8 until Daniel came before me, whose name is Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and in whom dwells the spirit of the holy gods. I told him the dream, saying,
9 “ Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, since I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw, and their interpretation.”
10 These were the visions I saw while lying on my bed: I saw a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was great.
11 The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the ends of the earth.
12 Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit was abundant, providing food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the air nested in its branches, and all flesh was fed by it.
13 I saw in the visions I saw while lying on my bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, was coming down from heaven.
14 And he cried aloud and said thus: “Cut down the tree, and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit; let the beasts that are under it depart, and the birds from its branches.
15 But leave the stump of its roots in the ground, bound with iron and bronze, among the grass of the field; let it be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let its portion be with the beasts among the grass of the earth.
16 Let his human heart be changed, and let him be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over him.”
17 The sentence is by decree of the watchers, and the decision by the word of the holy ones, that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he wills, and sets over it the lowliest of men.
18I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen this dream. You, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, for all the wise men of my kingdom have not been able to show me its interpretation; but you can, because the spirit of the holy gods dwells in you.
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for about an hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, let the dream be for your enemies, and its interpretation for those who wish you harm.
20 The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, and whose top reached to heaven, and which was visible to all the ends of the earth,
21 whose foliage was beautiful, and its fruit abundant, and in which there was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested—
22 you yourself, O king, have grown and become strong; for your greatness has increased and reached to the heavens, and your dominion to the ends of the earth.
23 And as for what the king saw, a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, saying, “Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the ground, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, and let it be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let it share the portion of the beasts of the field, until seven times pass over it”
—24 this is the interpretation, O king, and the judgment of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:
25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.
26 The command to leave a stump of the tree’s roots in the ground means that your kingdom will be established when you acknowledge that heaven rules.
27 Therefore, O king, accept my advice: redeem your sins by righteousness and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps this will prolong your prosperity.
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.
29 After twelve months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,
30 the king spoke and said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built for the royal residence by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, “King Nebuchadnezzar, this is what is decreed for you: Your royal authority has been taken from you.
32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat food like the cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven from people and left the land. He ate grass like oxen, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ nails.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I blessed the Most High, and I praised and glorified him who lives forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and whose kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing, and he does as he pleases with the host of heaven and with the inhabitants of the earth. No one can stay his hand or say to him, “What are you doing?”
36 At the same time, my sanity was restored to me, and the majesty of my kingdom, my splendor, and my greatness were returned to me. My counselors and my advisors sought me out, and I was reestablished in my kingdom, and even greater majesty was added to me.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and glorify the King of heaven, because all his works are true, and his ways are just; and he is able to humble those who walk in pride.
Daniel Chapter 5
The writing on the wall
1 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine in their presence.
2 As Belshazzar drank the wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them.
3 So the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of the house of God in Jerusalem were brought in, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them.
4 As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
5 At that very moment, the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace, and the king watched the hand as it wrote.
6 Then the king’s face turned pale, and his thoughts troubled him; his loins went weak, and his knees knocked together.
7 The king shouted for the magicians, the Chaldeans, and the enchanters. And the king said to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me its interpretation shall be clothed in purple, have a chain of gold around his neck, and be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
8 Then all the king’s wise men were brought in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king its interpretation.
9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, and his face turned pale, and his nobles were perplexed.
10 The queen, hearing the words of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall and said, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face grow pale.”
11 “ There is a man in your kingdom in whom the spirit of the holy gods dwells. In the days of your father, light, understanding, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, appointed him chief over all the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers,
12 because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding were found in him to interpret dreams, solve riddles, and solve problems. This man, Daniel, was called Belteshazzar by the king. Now let Daniel be summoned, and he will give you the interpretation.”
13 So Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father brought back from Judah?
14 I have heard from you that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and that light, understanding, and excellent wisdom were found in you.
” 15And now wise men and astrologers were brought before me to read this writing and give me its interpretation; but they could not show me the interpretation of the matter.
16 I have heard of you that you can give interpretations and solve difficult problems. If you can now read this writing and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple, and a chain of gold will be placed around your neck, and you will be the third ruler in the kingdom.
17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Keep your gifts for yourself, and give your rewards to others. I will read the writing to the king and give him the interpretation.”
18 The Most High God, O king, gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom, greatness, glory, and majesty.
19 Because of the greatness he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He killed whomever he wished, and he kept alive whomever he wished; he exalted whomever he wished, and he humbled whomever he wished.
20 But when his heart became proud, and his spirit hardened in his pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.
21 He was driven away from humankind, and his mind was made like that of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them whomever he wishes.
22 And you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this.
23 Instead, you have acted arrogantly against the Lord of heaven. You had vessels from his temple brought before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. Besides this, you praised gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which neither see nor hear nor know; and you did not honor the God in whose hand is your life, and to whom all your ways belong.
24 Then the hand was sent from his presence and wrote this inscription.
25 And the inscription that was written is: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPARSIN.
26 This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE: God has numbered your kingdom and brought it to an end.
27 TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.
28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.
29 Then Belshazzar commanded that Daniel be clothed in purple, and that a gold chain be placed around his neck, and that a proclamation be made concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
30 That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was killed.
31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being sixty-two years old.
Daniel Chapter 6
Daniel in the lions' den
1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom.
2 Over them were three governors, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps were to give account, so that the king would not be defrauded.
3 But Daniel was superior to these satraps and governors because he had an excellent spirit; and the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
4 Then the governors and satraps sought some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.
5 So these men said, “We will not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
6 Then these governors and satraps gathered before the king and said to him, “King Darius, live forever!”
7 All the governors of the kingdom, the prefects, the satraps, the princes, and the captains have agreed by counsel that you should issue a royal decree and confirm it, that whoever within thirty days makes a petition to any god or man except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.
8 Now, O king, confirm the decree and sign it, so that it cannot be revoked, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be abrogated.
9 So King Darius signed the decree and the prohibition.
10 When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed, he went home to his upstairs room, where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done previously.
11 Then these men gathered together and found Daniel praying and pleading before his God.
12 Then they went to the king and spoke to him about the royal edict: “Have you not issued a decree that anyone who within thirty days petitions any god or man other than you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “It is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed.”
13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, nor to the decree you issued, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed, and he resolved to rescue Daniel. He worked until sunset to rescue him.
15 But the men surrounded the king and said to him, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or decree that the king issues can be changed.”
16 Then the king gave the order, and Daniel was brought in and thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that the decision concerning Daniel would not be changed.
18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No musical instruments were brought before him, and he could not sleep.
19 So the king got up early in the morning and went quickly to the lions’ den.
20 When he came near the den, he called out to Daniel in a sorrowful voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Daniel answered the king, “O king, live forever!
22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not harmed me, for I was found innocent in his sight, and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.”
23 Then the king was exceedingly glad for him and commanded that Daniel be lifted out of the den. So Daniel was lifted out of the den, and no injury was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24 Then the king gave orders, and the men who had accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the pit, the lions seized them and broke all their bones.
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you.
26 I hereby issue this decree: That throughout the dominion of my kingdom all must fear and reverence the God of Daniel, for he is the living God and endures forever; his kingdom will never be destroyed, and his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and delivers, and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. He has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
28 This Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and during the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel Chapter 7
Vision of the four beasts
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions as he lay on his bed. He wrote down his dream and told the main points of it.
2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I saw the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea.
3 Four great beasts, different from one another, came up out of the sea.
4 The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and it was given a human mind.
5 Then there was another beast, a second one, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side more than the other, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and devour much flesh.’
6 After that I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast also had four heads; and dominion was given to it.
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible and exceedingly strong. It had large iron teeth; it devoured and crushed, and trampled the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
8 While I was considering the horns, behold, another little horn came up among them, and three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots before it. And behold, this horn had eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.
9 I kept looking until thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow, and the hair of his head was white like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were burning fire.
10 A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judge sat, and the books were opened.
11 I kept watching because of the sound of the great words the horn was speaking; I kept watching until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.
12 The other beasts had also had their dominion taken away, but they were allowed to live for a time.
13 In my vision at night I saw one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
14 He was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
15My spirit, Daniel, was troubled within me, and the visions in my head astonished me.
16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the truth about all this. He told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.
17 These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth.
18 Then the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever and ever.
19 Then I wanted to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was so different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with iron teeth and bronze claws, which devoured and crushed, and trampled the residue with its feet;
20 also about the ten horns that were on its head, and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell; this horn had eyes and a mouth speaking pompous words, and it appeared greater than its companions.
21 And I saw that this horn made war with the saints and prevailed against them,
22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
23 He said: “The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it.
24 The ten horns are ten kings who will arise from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.
25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times, and half a time.
26 The court will sit, and his power will be taken away and destroyed to the end.
27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.”
28 This concludes what he said. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me and my face turned pale; but I kept the matter to myself.
Daniel Chapter 8
Vision of the ram and the male goat
1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the one that had appeared to me before.
2 I saw in the vision; and when I saw it, I was in Susa, the capital of the kingdom in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision, standing by the Ulai River.
3 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a ram standing before the river, and it had two horns; and although the horns were high, one was higher than the other; and the higher one came up last.
4 I saw the ram charging westward, northward, and southward, and no beast could stand before it, nor was there any that could escape its power; and it did according to its will, and became great.
5 While I was considering this, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the male goat had a prominent horn between its eyes.
6 Then he came to the two-horned ram, which I had seen standing by the river, and he rushed at him with all his fierce strength.
7 I saw him come to the ram, and he attacked him and broke his two horns. The ram was not strong enough to stand before him, so he threw him to the ground and trampled him, and there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power.
8 The goat became exceedingly great. But at the height of his power, the large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.
9 Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land.
10 It grew so great that it reached the host of heaven, and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground and trampled them underfoot.
11 He even exalted himself against the Prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
12 And because of transgression, the host was given over to him with the daily sacrifice; and he cast down truth to the ground, and did whatever he pleased, and prospered.
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one asked the one who was speaking, “How long will the vision about the daily sacrifice and the transgression that causes desolation, giving over the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot, last?”
14 And he said, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”
15 And it came to pass, as I, Daniel, was considering the vision and seeking to understand it, behold, one stood before me in the form of a man.
16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, calling out, “Gabriel, explain the vision to this man.”
17Then he came near where I was; and when he came I was amazed, and I fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, son of man, for the vision concerns the time of the end.”
18 While he was talking with me, I fell asleep on my face to the ground; but he touched me and made me stand up.
19 And he said, “Behold, I will show you what will happen in the latter part of the wrath, for it concerns the time of the end.
20 The ram that you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia.
21 The male goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king.
22 The horn that was broken off and in its place four others are four kingdoms that will arise from this nation, though not with his power.
23 At the end of their reign, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king will arise, insolent and skilled in intrigue.
24 His power will be great, but not by his own strength. He will cause great destruction and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people.
25 Through his cunning he will cause deceit to prosper in his hand; and he will exalt himself in his heart, and without warning he will destroy many; and he will rise up against the Prince of princes, but he will be broken, though not by human hands.
26 The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been told is true; and you, keep the vision in mind, for it concerns many days.
27 And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay ill for some days, and when I was well again, I attended to the king’s business; but I was dismayed by the vision, and I did not understand it.
Daniel Chapter 9
Daniel's prayer for his people
1 In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, of the Medes, who became king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans,
2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.
3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and supplication, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
5 we have sinned and have done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and decrees.
6 We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our ancestors, and all the people of the land.
7 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us shame, as to this day all the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, those near and those far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them because of their rebellion against you.
8 O Lord, to us belongs shame, to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you.
9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against him,
10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws that he set before us through his servants the prophets.
11 All Israel transgressed your law, turning aside to not obey your voice; Therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have fallen on us, because we sinned against him.
12 He has fulfilled the word he spoke against us and against our rulers who governed us, bringing such great disaster on us. Nothing like what has been done to Jerusalem has ever been done under heaven.
13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster came upon us, and we did not seek the favor of the Lord our God, to turn from our wickedness and understand your truth.
14 Therefore the Lord kept watch over the disaster and brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works that he has done, because we did not obey his voice.
15 Now therefore, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and made yourself a name as you have this day, we have sinned; we have acted wickedly.
16O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your fury from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquity of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all around us.
17 Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of your servant and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake, cause your face to shine upon your desolate sanctuary.
18 O my God, incline your ear and hear; open your eyes and see our desolation and the city that bears your name; for we do not present our supplications before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.
19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act; do not delay, for your own sake, O my God, for your city and your people bear your name.
Prophecy of the seventy weeks
20 While I was still speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God—
21 while I was still speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.
22 He instructed me and spoke to me, saying, “Daniel, I have now come to give you wisdom and understanding.
23 At the beginning of your supplications a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore, understand the word and understand the vision.
24 Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.”
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.
26 And after the sixty-two weeks, Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself; and the people of the ruler who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end shall come with a flood, and until the end of the war, desolations are decreed.
27 And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.
Daniel Chapter 10
Daniel's vision by the river
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, and it concerned a great conflict. Daniel understood the message and had insight into the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks.
3 I ate no choice food, no meat or wine touched my lips, and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris.
5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist.
6 His body was like beryl, his face like lightning, his eyes like blazing torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.
7 And I, Daniel, alone saw that vision, and the men who were with me did not see it, but great fear seized them, and they fled and hid themselves.
8 So I was left alone, and I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me, but my strength was turned to faintness, and I had no power at all.
9 Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.
10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11 And he said to me, “Daniel, man greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this to me, I stood trembling.
12 Then he said to me, “Daniel, do not be afraid; For from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14 I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.
15 While he was speaking these words to me, I kept my eyes on the ground and was speechless.
16 But behold, one who looked like a son of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision, pain has come upon me, and I have no strength left.
17 How then can my lord’s servant speak with my lord? For at once my strength left me, and I had no breath left.”
18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again and strengthened me.
19 He said to me, “O man greatly beloved, do not fear; peace be with you; be strong and courageous.” And while he was speaking to me, I regained my strength and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
20 He said to me, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I must return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I have finished with him, the prince of Greece will come.
21 But I will tell you what is written in the book of truth: And no one helps me against them except Michael, your prince.
Daniel Chapter 11
1 And I myself, in the first year of Darius the Mede, was there to encourage and strengthen him.
The kings of the north and the south
2 And now I will show you the truth. Behold, there will still be three kings in Persia, and the fourth will become richer than all of them. When he has become strong through his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.
3 Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.
4 But when he has risen, his kingdom will be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it be given according to the dominion with which he ruled, for his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others besides them.
5 The king of the South will become strong, but one of his princes will be stronger than he and will become powerful; his dominion will be great.
6 After some years they will make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to make peace. But she will not be able to retain the strength of her arm, nor will he or his arm remain, for she and those who brought her, her son, and those who supported her at that time will be betrayed.
7 But a branch from his roots will arise on his throne, and he will come with an army against the king of the north, and he will enter the stronghold and do as he pleases, and he will prevail.
8 He will also carry off their gods, their molten images, and their precious articles of silver and gold into Egypt as captives. For years he will persist against the king of the north.
9 Then the king of the south will enter the kingdom and return to his own land.
10 But his sons will be angry, and they will gather a great army; and he will come swiftly and sweep through, and then he will return and wage war against his stronghold.
11 Therefore the king of the south will be enraged, and he will go out and fight against the king of the north; and he will raise a great army, and all that army will be given into his hand.
12 And when he has taken the army, his heart will be lifted up, and he will strike down many thousands; but he will not prevail.
13 The king of the north will again raise a larger army than the first, and after some years he will come swiftly with a great army and great wealth.
14 At that time many will rise up against the king of the south; and troublesome men from your people will rise up to fulfill the vision, but they will fall.
15 The king of the north will come and build siege works and capture the strong city; the forces of the south will not be able to stand, nor will their chosen troops, for there will be no strength to resist.
16 The one who comes against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to stand against him; he will be in the glorious land, which will be consumed by his power.
17He will then set his face to come with the power of his whole kingdom; and he will make covenants with him and give him a daughter of women to destroy him; but she will not stand, nor will she succeed.
18 Afterward he will turn his face to the coastlands and seize many; but a prince will put an end to his disgrace and even turn his reproach back upon him.
19 Then he will turn his face to the strongholds of his own land; but he will stumble and fall, and will not be found.
20 And one will arise in his place who will send a tax collector through as the glory of the kingdom; but in a few days he will be destroyed, though not in anger, nor in battle.
21 And a despicable man will succeed him in his place, to whom no honor of the kingdom will be given; but he will come unexpectedly and seize the kingdom by flattery.
22 The enemy forces will be swept away before him like a flood; they will be utterly destroyed, along with the prince of the covenant.
23 And after making a covenant with him, he will deceive and advance, and prevail with a small force.
24 When the province is at peace and prosperous, he will enter and do what neither his ancestors nor their ancestors did: he will distribute plunder, spoil, and riches to his soldiers, and he will launch an attack against the strongholds—but only for a time.
25 He will stir up his strength and his fire against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south will wage war with a great and very strong army; but he will not prevail, because he will be betrayed.
26 Even those who eat his delicacies will break him; his army will be destroyed, and many will fall slain.
27 The hearts of these two kings will be set on evil, and at the same table they will speak lies; but it will not prosper, for the appointed time has not yet come.
28 He will return to his own land with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant; he will do as he pleases and return to his own land.
29 At the appointed time he will return to the south; but this last coming will not be like the first.
30 For ships from Kittim will come against him, and he will be grieved and return. He will be enraged against the holy covenant and do as he pleases; he will return and make peace with those who forsake the holy covenant.
31 Forces will arise from him and desecrate the sanctuary and the fortress, and they will take away the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination that causes desolation.
32 With flattery he will seduce those who violate the covenant; But the people who know their God will be strong and take action.
33 And the wise among the people will instruct many; and for a time they will fall by the sword and by fire, into captivity and plunder.
34 And in their fall they will be helped by a little aid; and many will gather around them with flattery.
35 Some of the wise will also fall, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless, until the appointed time; for even for this there is a appointed time.
36 And the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god; and he will speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and he will prosper, until the wrath is completed, for what has been determined will be accomplished.
37 He will show no regard for the God of his fathers, nor for the love of women; he will not respect any god, for he will exalt himself above them all.
38 But in his place he will honor the god of fortresses, a god his fathers did not know; He will honor him with gold and silver, with precious stones and priceless things.
39 He will take possession of the strongest fortresses for a foreign god, and he will lavish honors on those who acknowledge him, and he will divide the land for a price.
40 But in the course of time the king of the south will contend with him, and the king of the north will rise against him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and many ships; and he will invade the lands, sweep through, and pass through.
41 He will enter the glorious land, and many provinces will fall; but these will escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the majority of the Ammonites.
42 He will stretch out his hand against the lands, and the land of Egypt will not escape.
43 He will seize the treasures of gold and silver and all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians will follow him.
44But news from the east and the north will terrify him, and he will go out in great fury to destroy and kill many.
45 He will pitch his palace tents between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; but he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
Daniel Chapter 12
The end times
1 At that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
4 But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end; many will run to and fro, and knowledge will increase.
5 I, Daniel, looked, and there before me were two others standing, one on this side of the river and the other on the other side.
6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?”
7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever, that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things will be fulfilled.
8 So I heard, but I did not understand. And I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?”
9 He answered, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.
10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.”
11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
13 As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.