
The Book of Daniel (Translated from the Greek Septuagint)

    {1:1} In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah,
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. {1:2}
The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the
vessels of God's house; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to
the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure
house of his god.

   {1:3} The king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he
should bring in certain of the children of Israel, even of the royal
line and of the nobles, {1:4} youths in whom there was no blemish, but
who were well-favored and skillful in all wisdom, and endowed with
knowledge and understanding science, and such as had the ability to
stand in the king's palace; and that he should teach them the learning
and the language of the Chaldeans. {1:5} The king appointed for them a
daily portion of the king's delicacies and of the wine which he drank,
so that they would be nourished for three years and at its end they
would stand before the king. {1:6} Now among these were, of the
children of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. {1:7} The
prince of the eunuchs gave names to them: to Daniel, he gave the name
of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of
Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. {1:8} But Daniel decided in his
heart that he would not 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.

   {1:9} Now God caused Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the
sight of the prince of the eunuchs. {1:10} The prince of the eunuchs
said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food
and your drink, for why should he see your faces looking worse than the
youths who are of your own age? So would you endanger my head with the
king." {1:11} Then Daniel said to the steward, whom the prince of the
eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
{1:12} "Test your servants, I beg you, for ten days; and let them give
us roots to eat and water to drink. {1:13} 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." {1:14} So he
listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. {1:15} 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. {1:16} So
the steward took away their delicacies and the wine that they should
drink, and gave them roots.

   {1:17} Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and
skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all
visions and dreams. {1:18} At the end of the days which the king had
appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them
in before Nebuchadnezzar. {1:19} The king talked with them; and among
them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah;
therefore they stood before the king. {1:20} In every matter of wisdom
and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found
them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in
all his realm. {1:21} Daniel continued even to the first year of king
Cyrus.

   {2:1} In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar,
Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams; and his spirit was troubled and his
sleep went from him. {2:2} Then the king commanded to call the
magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, to tell
the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king.

   {2:3} The king said to them, "I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit
is troubled to know the dream." {2:4} Then the Chaldeans spoke to the
king in the Syrian language, "O king, live forever! Tell your servants
the dream and we will show the interpretation." {2:5} The king answered
the Chaldeans, "The thing is forgotten by me; if you don't make it
known to me, the dream and its interpretation, you shall be cut in
pieces and your houses shall be made a dunghill. {2:6} But if you show
the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and
rewards and great honor; therefore show me the dream and its
interpretation." {2:7} They answered the second time and said, "Let the
king tell his servants the dream and we will show the interpretation."
{2:8} The king answered, "I know with certainty that you are stalling
for time, because you see the thing is forgotten by me. {2:9} But if
you don't make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you: for
you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, until the
time be changed; therefore tell me the dream and I shall know that you
can show me its interpretation." {2:10} The Chaldeans answered before
the king and said, "There is not a man on earth who can reveal the
king's mind, because no king, lord, or ruler has asked such a thing of
any magician, or enchanter, or Chaldean. {2:11} It is an unusual thing
that the king requires, and there is no one who can reveal it to the
king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh."

   {2:12} For this reason, the king was angry and very furious, and he
commanded the destruction of all the wise men of Babylon. {2:13} So the
decree went forth and the wise men were to be slain; and they sought
Daniel and his companions to be slain. {2:14} Then Daniel returned
answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king's
guard, who had gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon; {2:15} he
answered Arioch the king's captain, "Why is the decree so urgent from
the king?" Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. {2:16} Daniel
went in and requested of the king, that if he would appoint him a time,
he would show the king the interpretation.

   {2:17} Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, {2:18} so that they
would ask for mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret; so
that Daniel and his companions would not perish with the rest of the
wise men of Babylon. {2:19} Then was the secret revealed to Daniel in a
vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. {2:20}
Daniel answered,
"Blessed be the name of God
   forever and ever;
   for wisdom and might are his.
{2:21} 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;
{2:22} he reveals the deep and secret things;
   he knows what is in the darkness,
   and the light dwells with him.
{2:23} I thank you and praise you, the God of my fathers,
   who has given me wisdom and might,
   and has now made known to me what we desired of you;
   for you have made known to us the king's mind."

   {2:24} Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had
appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said this to
him: "Don't destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the
king and I will reveal the interpretation to the king." {2:25} Then
Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said this to him,
"I have found a man of the children of the captivity of Judah, who will
make known to the king the interpretation."

   {2:26} The king answered Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are
you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its
interpretation?"

   {2:27} Daniel answered before the king and said, "The secret which
the king has demanded neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor
soothsayers, can reveal to the king; {2:28} but there is a God in
heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to the king
Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in latter days; your dream and the visions
of your head on your bed are such as these.

   {2:29} "As for you, O king, your thoughts came into your mind on
your bed, what should happen hereafter; and he who reveals secrets has
made known to you what shall happen. {2:30} But as for me, this secret
is not 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.

   {2:31} "You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image. This image,
which was mighty and whose brightness was excellent, stood before you;
and its aspect was awesome. {2:32} As for this image, its head was of
fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs
of brass, {2:33} its legs of iron, its feet part of iron and part of
clay. {2:34} You looked on until a stone was cut out without hands; it
struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay and broke them
in pieces. {2:35} Then the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and
the gold, was broken in pieces together and became like the chaff of
the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that no
place was found for them; and the stone that struck the image became a
great mountain and filled the whole earth. {2:36} This is the dream and
we will tell its interpretation before the king.

   {2:37} "You, O king, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven
has given the kingdom, the power, and the strength and the glory;
{2:38} and wherever the children of men dwell, he has given the animals
of the field and the birds of the sky into your hand and has made you
to rule over them all; you are the head of gold. {2:39} After you
another kingdom shall arise inferior to you; and another third kingdom
of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. {2:40} The fourth
kingdom shall be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and
subdues all things; and as iron crushes all these, so shall it break in
pieces and crush. {2:41} Whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of
potters' clay and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but
there shall be in it the strength of iron, because you saw the iron
mixed with miry clay. {2:42} As the toes of the feet were part of iron
and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly
broken. {2:43} Whereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they
shall mingle themselves with the offspring of men; but they shall not
cling to one another, even as iron does not mingle with clay.

   {2:44} "In the days of those kings, the God of heaven shall set up a
kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be
left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all
these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. {2:45} Because you saw that
a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in
pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the
great God has made known to the king what shall happen hereafter; and
the dream is certain and its interpretation sure."

   {2:46} Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and worshiped
Daniel, and he commanded that they should offer an oblation and
fragrant incense to him. {2:47} The king answered Daniel and said,
"Truly, your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a
revealer of secrets, since you have been able to reveal this secret."
{2:48} Then the king made Daniel great and gave him many great gifts,
and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and the chief
governor over all the wise men of Babylon. {2:49} Daniel requested of
the king, and so he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the
affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel was in the gate of the
king.

   {3:1} Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height
was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits; he set it up in the plain
of Dura, in the province of Babylon. {3:2} Then Nebuchadnezzar the king
sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, and the governors,
the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the
rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image, which
Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. {3:3} Then the satraps, the
deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the
counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces were
gathered together for the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar
the king had set up; and they stood before the image that
Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

   {3:4} Then the herald cried aloud, "To you it is commanded, peoples,
nations, and languages, {3:5} 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 Nebuchadnezzar the king has set
up; {3:6} and whoever doesn't fall down and worship shall the same hour
be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." {3:7} 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 worshiped the golden image
that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

   {3:8} Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near and brought
accusation against the Jews. {3:9} They spoke and said to
Nebuchadnezzar the king, "O king, live for ever. {3:10} You, O 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, shall fall
down and worship the golden image; {3:11} and whoever doesn't fall down
and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
{3:12} There are certain Jews, whom you have appointed over the affairs
of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men,
O king, have disregarded you; they don't serve your gods, nor worship
the golden image which you have set up."

   {3:13} Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the
king. {3:14} Nebuchadnezzar answered them, "Is it on purpose, Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't serve my god, nor worship the
golden image which I have set up? {3:15} If you are now 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 have
made, it is well. But if you don't worship, you shall be cast the same
hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god who
shall deliver you out of my hands?" {3:16} Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego answered the king, "Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer
you in this matter. {3:17} If it be so, our God whom we serve is able
to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us
out of your hand, O king. {3:18} But if not, be it known to you, O
king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image
which you have set up."

   {3:19} Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the form of his
appearance was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Therefore he spoke and commanded that they should heat the furnace
seven times more than it was usually heated. {3:20} He commanded
certain mighty men, who were in his army, to bind Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. {3:21}
Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their
mantles, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the
burning fiery furnace. {3:22} Therefore because the king's commandment
was urgent and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire killed
those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. {3:23} These
three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the
midst of the burning fiery furnace.

   {3:24} And they walked in the midst of the fire, praising God and
blessing the Lord. {3:25} Then Azariah stood up and prayed in this way;
and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said, {3:26}
"Blessed are you, O Lord God of our fathers; your name is worthy to be
praised and glorified for evermore: {3:27} For you are righteous in all
the things which you have done to us; yes, true are all your works,
your ways are right, and all your judgments are truth. {3:28} In all
the things which you have brought upon us and upon the holy city of our
fathers, even Jerusalem, you have executed true judgment; for according
to truth and judgment you brought all these things upon us because of
our sins. {3:29} For we have sinned and committed iniquity, departing
from you. {3:30} In all things have we trespassed and not obeyed your
commandments, nor kept them, neither have we done as you have commanded
us, so that it might go well with us. {3:31} Therefore all that you
have brought upon us and everything which you have done to us, you have
done in true judgment. {3:32} And you delivered us into the hands of
lawless enemies, most hateful forsakers of God, and to an unjust king,
the most wicked in all the world. {3:33} And now we cannot open our
mouths; we have become a shame and a reproach to your servants and to
those who worship you. {3:34} Yet do not deliver us up completely, for
your name's sake, nor completely annul your covenant. {3:35} And do not
cause your mercy to depart from us, for your beloved Abraham's sake,
for your servant Isaac's sake, and for your holy Israel's sake, {3:36}
to whom you have spoken and promised that you would multiply their seed
as the stars of heaven and as the sand which lies upon the seashore.
{3:37} For we, O Lord, have become less than any nation and are
oppressed this day in all the world because of our sins. {3:38} Neither
is there at this time any prince, or prophet, or leader, or burnt
offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place, to sacrifice
before you in order to find mercy. {3:39} Nevertheless, with a contrite
heart and a humble spirit, let us be accepted. {3:40} Just as in the
burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and just as in ten thousands of
fat lambs, so let it be with our sacrifice in your sight on this day;
and grant that we may completely follow you, for those who put their
trust in you shall not be confounded. {3:41} And now we follow you with
all our heart; we fear you and seek your face. {3:42} Do not put us to
shame, but deal with us according to your loving kindness and according
to the multitude of your mercies. {3:43} Deliver us also according to
your marvelous works and give glory to your name, O Lord; and let all
those who do harm to your servants be ashamed; {3:44} and let them be
confounded in all their power and might, and let their strength be
broken; {3:45} and let them know that you are God, the only God, and
glorious over the whole world."

   {3:46} And the king's servants, who put them in, continued to make
the oven hot with resin, pitch, tow, and small wood, {3:47} so that the
flame streamed forth above the furnace for forty nine cubits. {3:48}
And it passed through and burned those Chaldeans it found around the
furnace. {3:49} But the angel of the Lord came down into the oven,
together with Azariah and his peers, and drove the flame of the fire
out of the oven, {3:50} and made the middle of the furnace like a moist
whistling wind, so that the fire didn't touch them at all and neither
hurt nor troubled them. {3:51} Then the three, as out of one mouth,
praised, glorified, and blessed God in the furnace, saying:
{3:52} "Blessed are you, O Lord God of our fathers;
   and praised and exalted above all for ever.
And blessed is your glorious and holy name;
   and praised and exalted above all for ever.
{3:53} Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory;
   and praised and glorified above all for ever.
{3:54} Blessed are you on the glorious throne of your kingdom;
   and praised and glorified above all for ever.
{3:55} Blessed are you, who beholds the abyss while sitting upon the
      cherubims;
   and praised and exalted above all for ever.
{3:56} Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven;
   and above all praised and glorified for ever.
{3:57} All works of the Lord, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:58} Heavens, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:59} Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:60} All waters above the sky, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:61} All powers of the Lord, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:62} Sun and moon, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:63} Stars of heaven, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:64} Every shower and dew, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:65} All winds, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:66} Fire and heat, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:67} Winter and summer, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:68} Dews and storms of snow, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:69} Ice and cold, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:70} Frost and snow, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:71} Nights and days, bless the Lord;
   bless and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:72} Light and darkness, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever. {3:73} Lightnings and
      clouds, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:74} Let the earth bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:75} Mountains and little hills, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:76} All things which grow upon the earth, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever. {3:77} Seas and rivers,
      bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever. {3:78} Fountains, bless the
      Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever. {3:79} Whales and all that
      moves in the waters, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:80} All fowls of the air, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:81} All beasts and cattle, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:82} Children of men, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:83} Israel, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:84} Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:85} Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:86} Spirits and souls of the righteous, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:87} Holy and humble men of heart, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
{3:88} Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, bless the Lord;
   praise and exalt him above all for ever.
He has delivered us far from hell,
   and saved us from the hand of death,
   and delivered us out of the midst of the furnace and burning flame;
   even out of the midst of the fire he has delivered us. {3:89} Give
      thanks to the Lord, for he is gracious,
   for his mercy endures for ever.
{3:90} All you who worship the Lord, bless the God of gods,
   praise him and give him thanks,
   for his mercy endures for ever."

   {3:91} Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished and rose up in
haste. He spoke and said to his counselors, "Didn't we cast three men
bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered the king, "True, O
king." {3:92} He answered, "Look, I see four men loose, walking in the
midst of the fire, and they are unharmed; and the aspect of the fourth
is like a son of god!" {3:93} Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the
mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, "Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come forth
and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came forth out of
the midst of the fire."

   {3:94} The satraps, the deputies, and the governors, and the king's
counselors, who were gathered together, saw these men, that the fire
had no power on their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed,
neither were their pants changed, nor had the smell of fire passed onto
them. {3:95} Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, "Blessed is the God of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has 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. {3:96} Therefore I make a decree: that every
people, nation, and language, who speaks anything evil against the God
of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces and their
houses shall be made a dunghill, because there is no other god who is
able to deliver in this way." {3:97} Then the king promoted Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

   {4:1} [1]"Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and
languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.

   {4:2} "It has seemed good to me to reveal the signs and wonders
which the Most High God has worked toward me. {4:3} How great are his
signs and how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting
kingdom and his dominion is from generation to generation.

   {4:4} "I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at peace in my house and flourishing
in my palace. {4:5} I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the
thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. {4:6}
Therefore I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon
before me, so that they might make known to me the interpretation of
the dream. {4:7} Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and
the soothsayers came in; and I told the dream to them, but they didn't
make known to me its interpretation. {4:8} But at last Daniel came in
before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my
god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and I told the dream
to him, saying:
   {4:9} 'Belteshazzar, 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 which I have seen and its interpretation.
{4:10} Thus were the visions of my head on my bed: I saw, and behold, a
tree in the midst of the earth and its height was great. {4:11} The
tree grew and was strong and its height reached to the sky and its
sight to the end of all the earth. {4:12} The leaves of it were
beautiful and its fruit plentiful, and in it was food for all; the
animals of the field had shadow under it, and the birds of the sky
lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it. {4:13} I saw in
the visions of my head on my bed, and behold, a watcher and a holy one
came down from the sky.

   {4:14} "'He cried aloud, and said thus, "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 birds from its branches. {4:15}
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a
band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be
wet with the dew of the sky; and let his portion be with the animals in
the grass of the earth. {4:16} Let his heart be changed from man's, and
let an animal's heart be given to him; and let seven times pass over
him. {4:17} This sentence is by decree of the watchers, and this 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."

   {4:18} This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you,
Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of
my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you
are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.'"

   {4:19} Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute
for a while and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered,
"Belteshazzar, don't let the dream or the interpretation trouble you."

   Belteshazzar answered, "My lord, the dream is for those who hate you
and its interpretation is for your adversaries. {4:20} The tree that
you saw, which grew and was strong, whose height reached to the sky and
its sight to all the earth, {4:21} 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; {4:22} it is you, O king, who has grown and become strong;
for your greatness is grown and reaches to the sky, and your dominion
to the end of the earth. {4:23} 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 brass, in the tender grass of the field,
and let it be wet with the dew of the sky; and let his portion be with
the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him.'

   {4:24} "This is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of
the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, {4:25} that you
shall be driven from men and your dwelling shall be with the animals of
the field and you shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet
with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you
know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to
whomever he will. {4:26} Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of
the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be safeguarded for you, after
you have understood that the heavens rule. {4:27} Therefore, O king,
let my counsel be acceptable to you and break away from your sins by
means of righteousness, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to
the poor; so that there may be a lengthening of your tranquility."
{4:28} All this came on the king Nebuchadnezzar.

   {4:29} At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal
palace of Babylon. {4:30} The king spoke and said, "Is this not great
Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place by the might
of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" {4:31} While the word was
in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from the sky, saying, "O king
Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom is separated from you,
{4:32} and you shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be
with the animals of the field; you shall be made to eat grass as oxen;
and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High
rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he will." {4:33}
The same hour this was fulfilled for Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven
from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of
the sky, until his hair was grown like eagles' feathers and his nails
like birds' claws.

   {4:34} "At the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes
to heaven and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most
High and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion
is an everlasting dominion and his kingdom from generation to
generation. {4:35} All the inhabitants of the earth count as nothing;
and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the
inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him,
'What are you doing?' {4:36} At the same time my understanding returned
to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness
returned to me; and my counselors and my lords searched for me; and I
was established in my kingdom and excellent greatness was added to me.
{4:37} Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of
heaven; for all his works are Truth and his ways Justice; and those who
walk in pride, he is able to abase."

   {5:1} Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his
lords, and he drank wine before the thousand. {5:2} Belshazzar, while
he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels
which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the Temple which was
in Jerusalem; so that the king and his lords, his wives and his
concubines, might drink from them. {5:3} Then they brought the golden
vessels, which were taken out of the Temple of God's house which was at
Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines,
drank from them. {5:4} They drank wine and praised the gods of gold,
and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

   {5:5} In the same hour, the fingers of a man's hand came forth and
wrote, opposite the lamp stand, on the plaster of the wall of the
king's palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. {5:6}
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. {5:7} The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters,
the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise
men of Babylon, "Whoever shall read this writing and show me its
interpretation shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold
around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."

   {5:8} Then all the king's wise men came in; but they could not read
the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation. {5:9} Then
king Belshazzar was greatly troubled and his face was changed in him,
and his lords were perplexed. {5:10} Now the queen, because of the
words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house. The queen
spoke and said, "O king, live forever; don't let your thoughts trouble
you, nor let your face be changed. {5:11} There is a man in your
kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and, in the days of
your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the
gods, were found in him; and the king Nebuchadnezzar your father, the
king, I say, your father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters,
Chaldeans, and soothsayers, {5:12} because an excellent spirit and
knowledge and understanding, interpreting dreams and revealing dark
judgments and dissolving doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom
the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called and he will show
the interpretation."

   {5:13} Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke
and said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel, who is of the children of the
captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah?
{5:14} I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and
that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.
{5:15} Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before
me, so that they would read this writing and make known to me its
interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the
thing. {5:16} But I have 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 shall be clothed with
purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third
ruler in the kingdom."

   {5:17} Then Daniel answered before the king, "Let your gifts be for
yourself and give your rewards to another; nevertheless, I will read
the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.
{5:18} You, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the
kingdom and greatness and glory and majesty; {5:19} and because of the
greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages
trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he
would, he kept alive; and whom he would, he raised up, and whom he
would, he put down. {5:20} But when his heart was lifted up and his
spirit was hardened, so that he behaved proudly, he was deposed from
his kingly throne and they took his glory from him; {5:21} and he was
driven from the sons of men and his heart was made like the animals',
and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys; he was fed with grass like
oxen 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. {5:22} You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled
your heart, though you knew all this, {5:23} but have lifted up
yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels
of his House before you; and you and your lords, your wives and your
concubines, have drunk wine from them; and you have praised the gods of
silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see, nor
hear, nor know; yet the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are
all your ways, you have not glorified. {5:24} Then the part of the hand
was sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed. {5:25} This
is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. {5:26}
This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God has numbered your
kingdom and brought it to an end; {5:27} TEKEL; you are weighed in the
balances and are found wanting. {5:28} PERES; your kingdom is divided
and given to the Medes and Persians."

   {5:29} Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with
purple and put a chain of gold around his neck and made proclamation
concerning him, so that he would be the third ruler in the kingdom.
{5:30} In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain. {5:31}
Darius the Mede received the kingdom; he was about sixty-two years old.

   {6:1} It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty
satraps, who would be throughout the whole kingdom, {6:2} and over them
three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; so that these satraps might
give account to them, and so that the king would suffer no loss. {6:3}
Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps
because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him
over the whole realm.

   {6:4} Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find grounds
against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no grounds
nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or
fault found in him. {6:5} Then these men said, "We shall not find any
grounds against this Daniel, unless we find it against him concerning
the law of his God." {6:6} Then these presidents and satraps assembled
together before the king and said this to him, "King Darius, live
forever. {6:7} All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the
satraps, the counselors and the governors, have consulted together to
establish a royal statute and to make a strong prohibition, that
whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except
of you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. {6:8} Now, O
king, establish the prohibition and sign the writing, so that it cannot
be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians which
doesn't alter." {6:9} Therefore king Darius signed the writing and the
prohibition.

   {6:10} When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into
his house, (now his windows were open in his room facing Jerusalem,)
and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave
thanks before his God, as he did before. {6:11} Then these men
assembled together and found Daniel making petition and supplication
before his God. {6:12} Then they came near and spoke before the king
concerning the king's prohibition: "Haven't you signed a prohibition,
so that every man who shall make petition to any god or man within
thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of
lions?" The king answered, "The thing is true, according to the law of
the Medes and Persians which doesn't alter." {6:13} Then they answered
and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is of the children of the
captivity of Judah, disregards you, O king, and the prohibition which
you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."

   {6:14} Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased
and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the
going down of the sun to rescue him. {6:15} Then these men assembled
together before the king and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it
is a law of the Medes and Persians that no prohibition or statute which
the king establishes may be changed." {6:16} Then the king commanded,
and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. Now the
king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually,
he will deliver you." {6:17} 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 concerning Daniel.

   {6:18} Then the king went to his palace and passed the night
fasting; no instruments of music were brought before him; and his sleep
fled from him. {6:19} Then the king arose very early in the morning and
went in haste to the den of lions. {6:20} When he came near to the den,
he cried to Daniel with a lamentable voice. The king spoke and said to
Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve
continually, able to deliver you from the lions?" {6:21} Then Daniel
said to the king, "O king, live forever. {6:22} My God has sent his
angel and has shut the lions' mouths and they have not hurt me; because
innocence was found in me before him; and also before you, O king, have
I done no wrong." {6:23} Then was the king exceeding glad and commanded
that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up
out of the den, and no kind of harm was found in him because he had
trusted in his God. {6:24} The king commanded, and they brought those
men who had accused Daniel and they cast them into the den of lions,
them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overcame them and
broke all their bones in pieces, before they reached the bottom of the
den.

   {6:25} Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and
languages, who dwell in all the earth: "Peace be multiplied to you.
{6:26} I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men
shall tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living
God and steadfast forever, His kingdom is that which shall not be
destroyed; and his dominion shall be even to the end. {6:27} He
delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and in
earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." {6:28} So
this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus
the Persian.

   {7:1} In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a
dream and visions in his head on his bed; then he wrote the dream and
told the sum of the matter. {7:2} Daniel spoke and said, "I saw in my
vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the sky broke forth on
the great sea. {7:3} Four great animals came up from the sea, different
one from another. {7:4} The first was like a lion and had eagle's
wings; I watched as its wings were plucked and it was lifted up from
the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man; and a man's heart
was given to it. {7:5} Behold, another animal, a second, like a bear;
and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth
between its teeth; and they said this to it, 'Arise, devour much
flesh!' {7:6} After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard,
which had on its back four wings of a bird; the animal had also four
heads; and dominion was given to it. {7:7} After this I saw in the
night visions, and behold, a fourth animal, awesome and powerful and
exceedingly strong; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke
in pieces and stamped the residue with its feet; and it was different
from all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns. {7:8} I
considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another
horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked
up by the roots; and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a
man and a mouth speaking great things. {7:9} I watched as 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. {7:10} A fiery stream issued and
came forth from before him; thousands of thousands ministered to him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was
set and the books were opened. {7:11} I saw, at that time, what became
of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I watched even as
the animal was slain and its body destroyed and it was given to be
burned with fire. {7:12} As for the rest of the animals, their dominion
was taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

   {7:13} "I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the
clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the
ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. {7:14} He was
given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that all the peoples,
nations, and languages would serve him. His dominion is an everlasting
dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom is that which
shall not be destroyed. {7:15} As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved
in the midst of my body and the visions of my head troubled me. {7:16}
I came near to one of those who stood by and asked him the truth
concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the
interpretation of these things.

   {7:17} "'These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who
shall arise out of the earth. {7:18} But the saints of the Most High
shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever
and ever.' {7:19} Then I desired to know the truth concerning the
fourth animal, which was different from all of them and exceedingly
terrible, whose teeth were of iron and its nails of brass; which
devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet;
{7:20} and concerning the ten horns which were on its head, and the
other horn which came up, and before which three fell, and even that
horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke great things, whose
appearance was more powerful than its peers. {7:21} I watched as the
same horn made war with the saints and prevailed against them; {7:22}
until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of
the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
{7:23} Thus he said, 'The fourth animal shall be a fourth kingdom on
earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms and shall devour
the whole earth and shall tread it down and break it in pieces. {7:24}
As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise; and
another shall arise after them; and he shall be different from the
former, and he shall put down three kings. {7:25} He shall speak words
against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High;
and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be
given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. {7:26} But
the judgment shall be set; and they shall take away his dominion, to
consume and to destroy it to the end. {7:27} The kingdom and the
dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky shall be
given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey him.'

   {7:28} Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts
troubled me greatly and my face was changed in me; but I kept the
matter in my heart."

   {8:1} In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar, a vision
appeared to me, even to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at
first. {8:2} I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I
was in Susa the palatial city, which is in the province of Elam; and I
saw in a vision, and I was by the river Ulai.

   {8:3} Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, there stood
before the river a ram which had two horns; and the two horns were
high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up
last. {8:4} I saw the ram advancing westward, and northward, and
southward; and no animals could stand before him, neither was there any
who could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will and
magnified himself. {8:5} As I was considering, behold, a male goat came
from the west over the surface of the whole earth and didn't touch the
ground; and the goat had a prominent horn between his eyes. {8:6} He
came to the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing before the
river, and ran against him in the fury of his power. {8:7} 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; and there was no power in the
ram to stand before him; but he cast him down to the ground and
trampled on him; and there was none who could deliver the ram out of
his hand. {8:8} The male goat magnified himself exceedingly; and when
he was strong, the great horn was broken; and instead of it there came
up four prominent horns toward the four winds of the sky.

   {8:9} Out of one of them came forth a little horn, which grew
exceeding great, toward the south and toward the east and toward the
glorious land. {8:10} It grew great, even before the multitude of
heaven; and some of the multitude and of the stars it cast down to the
ground and trampled on them. {8:11} Yes, it magnified itself, even
before the prince of the multitude; and it took away from him the
continual burnt offering, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
{8:12} And a multitude was given over to it, together with the
continual burnt offering by reason of transgression; and it cast down
truth to the ground, and it did as it pleased and prospered. {8:13}
Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that
certain one who spoke, "How long shall be the vision concerning the
continual burnt offering, and the transgression of desolation, to give
both the sanctuary and the multitude to be trodden under foot?" {8:14}
He said to me, "To two thousand and three hundred evenings and
mornings; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed." {8:15} It happened
when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, that I sought to understand
it; and behold, there stood before me the appearance of a man. {8:16} I
heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, which called and
said, "Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision." {8:17}
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." {8:18} Now as he was speaking
with me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face toward the ground; but
he touched me and set me upright.

   {8:19} He said, "Behold, I will give you knowledge of what shall be
in the latter time of the indignation; for it belongs to the appointed
time of the end. {8:20} The ram, which you saw, had two horns; they are
the kings of Media and Persia. {8:21} The rough male goat is the
kingship of Greece; and the great horn which is between his eyes is the
first king. {8:22} As for that which was broken, in the place where
four stood up, four kingdoms shall rise up out of the nation, but not
with his power. {8:23} In the latter time of their kingdom, when the
transgressors have reached their fullness, a king of fierce
countenance, and understanding dark judgments, shall rise up. {8:24}
His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; and he shall
destroy astonishingly and shall prosper and do his pleasure; and he
shall destroy the mighty ones and the holy people. {8:25} Through his
tactics, he shall cause craftiness to prosper in his hand; and he shall
magnify himself in his heart, and in their security he shall destroy
many; he shall also rise up against the prince of princes; but he shall
be broken without hand. {8:26} 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."

   {8:27} I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for some days; then I rose up
and did the king's business; and I wondered at the vision, but none
understood it.

   {9:1} In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, offspring of
the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans, {9:2} in
the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books the
number of the years about which the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah the
prophet, to accomplish the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy
years. {9:3} I set my face towards the Lord God, to seek by prayer and
petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

   {9:4} I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession and said, "Oh,
Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving
kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, {9:5} we
have sinned and have dealt perversely and have done wickedly and have
rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your
ordinances; {9:6} neither have we 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. {9:7} Lord, righteousness
belongs to you, but confusion of face to us, and on this day, to the
men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to all Israel, who
are near and who are far off, through all the countries where you have
driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed
against you. {9:8} Lord, confusion of face belongs to us, to our kings,
to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.
{9:9} To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, for we have
rebelled against him; {9:10} neither have we obeyed the voice of Yahweh
our God to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the
prophets. {9:11} Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, even
turning aside so that they would not obey your voice: therefore has the
curse been poured out on us and the oath that is written in the law of
Moses the servant of God; for we have sinned against him. {9:12} He has
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
has not been done as has been done upon Jerusalem. {9:13} As it is
written in the law of Moses, so all this evil has come upon us; yet
have we not entreated the favor of Yahweh our God, so that we would
turn from our iniquities and have discernment in your truth. {9:14}
Therefore Yahweh has watched over the evil and brought it on us; for
Yahweh our God is righteous in all his works which he does and we have
not obeyed his voice. {9:15} Now, Lord our God, who brought your people
forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and made yourself
renowned as on this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. {9:16}
Lord, according to all your righteousness, let your anger and please
let your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy
mountain; because, for our sins and for the iniquities of our fathers,
Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around
us. {9:17} Now therefore, our God, listen to the prayer of your servant
and to his petitions and cause your face to shine on your sanctuary
which is desolate, for the Lord's sake. {9:18} 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 do not present our petitions before you for
our righteousness, but for your great mercies' sake. {9:19} Lord, hear;
Lord, forgive; Lord, listen and do; don't defer, for your own sake, my
God, because your city and your people are called by your name."

   {9:20} While I was speaking and praying and confessing my sin and
the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before
Yahweh my God for the holy mountain of my God, {9:21} yes, while I was
speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at
the beginning, who was made to fly swiftly, touched me about the time
of the evening offering.

   {9:22} He instructed me and talked with me and said, "Daniel, I have
now come forth to give you wisdom and understanding. {9:23} At the
beginning of your petitions, the commandment went forth and I have come
to tell you; for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter
and understand the vision. {9:24} Seventy weeks of years are decreed on
your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience and to make
an end of sins and to make reconciliation for iniquity and to bring in
everlasting righteousness and to seal up vision and prophecy and to
anoint the most holy. {9:25} Know therefore and discern that from the
going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, to the
arrival of the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and also
sixty-two weeks; and so it shall be built again, with street and moat,
even in troubled times. {9:26} After the sixty-two weeks, the anointed
one shall be cut off and shall have nothing; and the people of the
prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and its
end shall be with a flood, and even to the end shall be war;
desolations are determined. {9:27} He shall make a firm covenant with
many for one week; and in the midst of the week he shall cause the
sacrifice and the offering to cease; and on the wing of abominations
shall come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, what is
determined shall be poured out on the desolate."

   {10:1} In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, something was
revealed to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar; and the thing was
true, even a great warfare; and he understood the thing and had
understanding of the vision. {10:2} In those days I, Daniel, was
mourning three whole weeks. {10:3} I ate no pleasant bread, neither
came meat nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all,
until three whole weeks were fulfilled. {10:4} In the twentieth-fourth
day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which
is Hiddekel, {10:5} I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man
clothed in linen, whose thighs were adorned with pure gold of Uphaz;
{10:6} his body also was like beryl, and his face like the appearance
of lightning and his eyes like flaming torches, and his arms and his
feet like burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of
a multitude. {10:7} I, Daniel, 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. {10:8} So, I was left alone and saw
this great vision and there remained no strength in me; for my
wholesomeness was turned in me into corruption and I retained no
strength. {10:9} Yet I heard the voice of his words; and when I heard
the voice of his words, I then fell into a deep sleep on my face, with
my face toward the ground. {10:10} Behold, a hand touched me, which set
me on my knees and on the palms of my hands. {10:11} He said to me,
"Daniel, you man greatly beloved, understand the words which I speak to
you and stand upright; for to you am I now sent." When he had spoken
this word to me, I stood trembling. {10:12} Then he said to me, "Don't
be afraid, Daniel; 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 for your words' sake. {10:13} But the prince of
the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold,
Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained
there with the kings of Persia. {10:14} Now I have come to make you
understand what shall happen to your people in the latter days; for the
vision is for yet many days." {10:15} And when he had spoken to me
according to these words, I set my face toward the ground and was mute.
{10:16} Behold, 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, by reason of the vision, my sorrows are turned on me and I
retain no strength. {10:17} For how can the servant of you my lord,
talk with you my lord? For, as for me, immediately there remained no
strength in me, neither was there breath left in me." {10:18} Then
there touched me again one like the appearance of a man and he
strengthened me. {10:19} 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 have
strengthened me." {10:20} Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to
you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I go
forth, behold, the prince of Greece shall come. {10:21} But I will tell
you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth; and there is none
who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince." {11:1} "As
for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I rose up to confirm and
strengthen him. {11:2} Now I will show you the truth. Behold, there
shall rise up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far
richer than them all; and when he has grown strong through his riches,
he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece. {11:3} A mighty king
shall rise up, who shall rule with great dominion and do according to
his will. {11:4} When he shall rise up, his kingdom shall be broken,
and shall be divided toward the four winds of the sky, but not to his
posterity, nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his
kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others besides these.

   {11:5} "The king of the south shall be strong, and one of his
princes; and he shall be strong above him and have dominion; his
dominion shall be a great dominion. {11:6} At the end of years, they
shall join themselves together; and the daughter of the king of the
south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement; but she
shall not retain the strength of her arm; neither shall he stand, nor
his arm; but she shall be given up, and those who brought her, and he
who became the father of her, and he who strengthened her in those
times.

   {11:7} "But out of a shoot from her roots shall rise up one in his
place, who shall come to the army, and shall enter into the fortress of
the king of the north, and shall deal against them and shall prevail.
{11:8} Also their gods, with their molten images and with their goodly
vessels of silver and of gold, he shall carry captive into Egypt; and
he shall refrain some years from the king of the north. {11:9} He shall
come into the realm of the king of the south, but he shall return into
his own land. {11:10} His sons shall war and shall assemble a multitude
of great forces, which shall advance and overflow and pass through; and
they shall return and war, even to his fortress. {11:11} The king of
the south shall be moved with anger and shall come forth and fight with
him, even with the king of the north; and he shall set forth a great
multitude, and the multitude shall be given into his hand. {11:12} The
multitude shall be lifted up, and his heart shall be exalted; and he
shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail. {11:13}
The king of the north shall return and shall set forth a multitude
greater than the former; and he shall advance at the end of the times,
even of years, with a great army and with much wealth.

   {11:14} "In those times, many shall rise up against the king of the
south; also the children of the violent among your people shall lift
themselves up to establish the vision; but they shall fall. {11:15} So
the king of the north shall come and cast up a mound and take a
well-fortified city; and the forces of the south shall not stand,
neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to
stand. {11:16} But he who comes against him shall do according to his
own will, and none shall stand before him; and he shall stand in the
glorious land and in his hand shall be destruction. {11:17} He shall
set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and
upright ones with him; thus shall he do; and he shall give him the
daughter of women, corrupting her; but she shall not stand, nor be for
him.

   {11:18} "After this he shall turn his face to the islands and shall
take many; but a prince shall cause the reproach offered by him to
cease; yes, moreover, he shall cause his reproach to turn on him.
{11:19} Then he shall turn his face toward the fortresses of his own
land; but he shall stumble and fall and shall not be found. {11:20}
Then one shall rise up in his place who will cause a tax collector to
pass through the kingdom to maintain its glory; but within a few days
he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

   {11:21} "In his place shall rise up a contemptible person, to whom
they had not given the honor of the kingdom; but he shall arrive in a
time of security and shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries. {11:22}
The overwhelming forces shall be overwhelmed from before him and shall
be broken; yes, also the prince of the covenant. {11:23} After the
treaty made with him, he shall work deceitfully; for he shall rise up
and shall become strong with a small people. {11:24} In a time of
security, he shall advance even on the richest places of the province;
and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his fathers'
fathers; he shall scatter among them prey and spoil and wealth; yes, he
shall devise his schemes against the strongholds, even for a time.

   {11:25} "He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king
of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall war in
battle with an exceeding great and mighty army; but he shall not stand,
for they shall devise schemes against him. {11:26} Yes, those who eat
of his delicacies shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow; and
many shall fall down slain. {11:27} As for both these kings, their
hearts shall be set to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one
table; but it shall not succeed; for the end shall yet be at the time
appointed. {11:28} Then he shall return into his land with great
wealth; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall
do as he pleases and return to his own land.

   {11:29} "At the time appointed, he shall return and advance into the
south; but it shall not be in the latter time as it was in the former.
{11:30} For ships of Kittim shall come against him; therefore he shall
be grieved, and shall return and have indignation against the holy
covenant, and shall do as he pleases; he shall even return and give
support to those who forsake the holy covenant. {11:31} Forces shall
rise on his behalf, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the
fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt offering, and they
shall set up the abomination which makes desolate. {11:32} Those who do
wickedly against the covenant, he shall pervert by flatteries; but the
people who know their God shall be strong and do exploits. {11:33}
Those who are wise among the people shall instruct many; yet they shall
fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by spoil, for many
days. {11:34} Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a
little help; but many shall join themselves to them with flatteries.
{11:35} Some of those who are wise shall fall, to refine them, and to
purify and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it
is yet for the time appointed.

   {11:36} "The king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt
himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak
astonishing things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper until
the indignation be completed; for that which is determined shall be
done. {11:37} Neither shall he regard the gods of his fathers, nor the
desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall magnify himself above
all. {11:38} But in his place, he shall honor the god of fortresses;
and a god whom his fathers didn't know he shall honor with gold and
silver and with precious stones and pleasant things. {11:39} He shall
deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god;
whoever acknowledges him he will increase with glory; and he shall
cause them to rule over many and shall divide the land for a price.

   {11:40} "At the time of the end, the king of the south shall contend
with him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a
whirlwind, with chariots and with horsemen and with many ships; and he
shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through.
{11:41} He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries
shall be overthrown; but these shall be delivered out of his hand:
Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. {11:42} He
shall stretch forth his hand also on the countries; and the land of
Egypt shall not escape. {11:43} But he shall have power over the
treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of
Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
{11:44} But news out of the east and out of the north shall trouble
him; and he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to
sweep away many. {11:45} He shall plant the tents of his palace between
the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end
and none shall help him."

   {12:1} "At that time Michael shall rise up, the great prince who
stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of
trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same
time; and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who
shall be found written in the book. {12:2} Many of those who sleep in
the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to
shame and everlasting contempt. {12:3} Those who are wise shall shine
as the brightness of the heavens; and those who turn many to
righteousness as the stars forever and ever. {12:4} But you, Daniel,
shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many
shall run back and forth, and knowledge shall be increased."

   {12:5} Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, there stood another two,
the one on the brink of the river on this side, and the other on the
brink of the river on that side. {12:6} One said to the man clothed in
linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long shall it be to
the end of these wonders?" {12:7} 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, say that it
shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end
of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things
shall be finished. {12:8} I heard, but I didn't understand; then I
said, "My lord, what shall be the result of these things?" {12:9} He
said, "Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until
the time of the end. {12:10} Many shall purify themselves and make
themselves white and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and
none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shall
understand. {12:11} From the time that the continual burnt offering
shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up,
there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days. {12:12} Blessed is
he who waits and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five
days. {12:13} But you, go your way until the end; for you shall rest
and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of days."

   {13:1} There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joakim. {13:2} And he
took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, a very
fair woman and one who feared the Lord. {13:3} Her parents also were
righteous and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.
{13:4} Now Joakim was a great rich man and had a beautiful garden next
to his house; and the Jews turned to him for help, because he was more
honorable than all others.

   {13:5} The same year, two of the elders of the people were appointed
to be judges, such ones as the Lord spoke of, "Wickedness came from
Babylon, from ancient judges, who seemed to govern the people." {13:6}
These spent much time at Joakim's house, and all those who had any
lawsuits came to them. {13:7} Now when the people departed away at
noon, Susanna went into her husband's garden to walk. {13:8} And the
two elders saw her going in every day and walking, so that their lust
was inflamed toward her. {13:9} And they perverted their own mind and
turned away their eyes, so that they would not look to heaven, nor
remember just judgments. {13:10} And although they both were wounded
with her love, yet each dared not show the other his grief. {13:11} For
they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to
do with her. {13:12} Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see
her. {13:13} And the one said to the other, "Let us go home now, for it
is dinner time." {13:14} So when they had gone out, they each parted
from the other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and
after they had asked each another the reason, they acknowledged their
lust, then they both appointed themselves a time when they might find
her alone.

   {13:15} And it happened, as they watched for a fitting time, that
she went in as before with two maids only, and she intended to wash
herself in the garden, for it was hot. {13:16} And there was no one
there except the two elders, who had hidden themselves and watched her.
{13:17} Then she said to her maids, "Bring me oil and washing balls and
shut the garden doors, so that I may wash myself." {13:18} And they did
as she asked them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves
through private doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them;
but they didn't see the elders, because they were hidden. {13:19} Now
when the maids were gone, the two elders rose up and ran to her,
saying, {13:20} "Behold, the garden doors are shut, so that no man can
see us, and we are in love with you; therefore consent to us and lie
with us. {13:21} If you will not, we will bear witness against you that
a young man was with you, and therefore you sent your maids away from
you." {13:22} Then Susanna sighed and said, "I am hemmed in on every
side; for if I do this thing, it is death to me; and if I do not do it,
I cannot escape your hands. {13:23} It is better for me to fall into
your hands and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord."
{13:24} With that, Susanna cried with a loud voice, and the two elders
cried out against her. {13:25} Then the one ran and opened the garden
door. {13:26} So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the
garden, they rushed in through the private door to see what had
happened to her. {13:27} But, when the elders had declared their story,
the servants were greatly ashamed, for there was never such a report
made of Susanna.

   {13:28} And it came to pass the next day, when the people were
assembled before her husband Joakim, that the two elders also came,
full of mischievous imagination against Susanna to put her to death;
{13:29} And they said before the people, "Send for Susanna, the
daughter of Hilkiah, Joakim's wife." And so they sent for her. {13:30}
So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her
kindred. {13:31} Now, Susanna was a very delicate woman and beautiful
to behold. {13:32} And these wicked men commanded her to uncover her
face, (for she was covered,) that they might be filled with her beauty.
{13:33} Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept. {13:34} Then
the two elders stood up in the midst of the people and laid their hands
upon her head. {13:35} And she looked up toward heaven weeping, for her
heart trusted in the Lord. {13:36} And the elders said, "As we walked
in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids and shut the
garden doors and sent the maids away. {13:37} Then a young man, who was
hidden there, came to her and lay with her. {13:38} Then, standing in a
corner of the garden, we saw this wickedness and ran towards them.
{13:39} And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold, for
he was stronger than us, and he opened the door and leaped out. {13:40}
But having taken this woman, we asked her who the young man was, but
she would not tell us; to these things we testify." {13:41} Then the
assembly believed them because they were the elders and judges of the
people; so they condemned her to death.

   {13:42} Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice and said, "O
everlasting God, who knows the secrets and knows all things before they
be: {13:43} You know that they have borne false witness against me, and
behold I must die; though I never did such things as these men have
maliciously invented against me." {13:44} And the Lord heard her voice.
{13:45} Therefore when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised
up the holy spirit of a young youth whose name was Daniel, {13:46} who
cried with a loud voice, "I am free of the blood of this woman."
{13:47} Then all the people turned toward him and said, "What do these
words you have spoken mean?" {13:48} So, standing in their midst, he
said, "Are you such fools, you sons of Israel, that you have condemned
a daughter of Israel without examination or knowledge of the truth?
{13:49} Return again to the place of judgment, for they have borne
false witness against her."

   {13:50} Therefore all the people returned again in haste, and the
elders said to him, "Come, sit down among us and teach us, since that
God has given you the honor of an elder." {13:51} Then Daniel said to
them, "Put these two aside, one far from another, and I will examine
them." {13:52} So, when they were put apart one from another, he called
one of them and said to him, "O you who has grown old in wickedness,
now your sins, which you have committed before this time, have come to
light. {13:53} For you have pronounced false judgment and have
condemned the innocent and have let the guilty go free; even though the
Lord says, 'The innocent and righteous you shall not slay.' {13:54} Now
then, if you saw her, tell me, under what tree did you see them
consorting together?" He answered, "Under a mastick tree." {13:55} And
Daniel said, "Very well; you have lied against your own head; for even
now the angel of God has received the sentence of God to cut you in
two." {13:56} So he put him aside and commanded them to bring the
other, and he said to him, "O you, offspring of Canaan and not of
Judah, beauty has deceived you and lust has perverted your heart.
{13:57} Thus have you dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they out
of fear consorted with you; but the daughter of Judah would not
tolerate your wickedness. {13:58} Now therefore, tell me, under what
tree did you find them consorting together?" He answered, "Under an
holm tree." {13:59} Then Daniel said to him, "Well, you also have lied
against your own head; for the angel of God waits with the sword to cut
you in two, that he may destroy you."

   {13:60} With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice and
praised God, who saves those who trust in him. {13:61} And they arose
against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness
by their own mouth. {13:62} And, according to the law of Moses, they
did to them in the same way as they maliciously intended to do to their
neighbor; and they put them to death. Thus, innocent blood was saved
that same day. {13:63} Therefore Hilkiah and his wife praised God for
their daughter Susanna, with Joakim her husband and all their kindred,
because there was no dishonesty found in her. {13:64} From that day
forth, Daniel had a great reputation in the sight of the people.

   {14:1} And king Astyages was gathered to his fathers, and Cyrus of
Persia received his kingdom. {14:2} And Daniel conversed with the king
and was honored above all his friends. {14:3} Now the Babylons had an
idol, called Bel, and every day twelve great measures of fine flour and
forty sheep and six vessels of wine were spent upon him. {14:4} And the
king worshipped it and went daily to adore it; but Daniel worshipped
his own God. And the king said to him, "Why do you not worship Bel?"
{14:5} He answered and said, "Because I may not worship idols made with
hands, but only the living God, who has created the heaven and the
earth and has sovereignty over all flesh." {14:6} Then the king said to
him, "Do you not think that Bel is a living God? Do you not see how
much he eats and drinks every day?" {14:7} Then Daniel smiled and said,
"O king, be not deceived; for this is only clay within and brass
without, and never ate or drank anything." {14:8} So the king was angry
and called for his priests, and said to them, "If you do not tell me
who it is that devours these expenses, you shall die! {14:9} But, if
you can prove to me that Bel devours them, then Daniel shall die, for
he has spoken blasphemy against Bel." And Daniel said to the king, "Let
it be according to your word."

   {14:10} Now the priests of Bel were seventy, besides their wives and
children. And the king went with Daniel into the temple of Bel. {14:11}
So Bel's priests said, "Lo, we go out; but you, O king, set out the
meat and prepare the wine, and shut the door fast and seal it with your
own signet; {14:12} And tomorrow when you come in, if you do not find
that Bel has eaten all, we will suffer death, or else Daniel, who
speaks falsely against us." {14:13} And they had little concern about
it because under the table they had made a private entrance, whereby
they entered in continually and consumed those things. {14:14} So when
they had gone, the king set out the meats before Bel. Now Daniel had
commanded his servants to bring ashes, and those they strewed
throughout the entire temple in the presence of the king alone; then
they went out and shut the door, and sealed it with the king's signet,
and so departed. {14:15} Now in the night the priests with their wives
and children came, as they were accustomed to do, and they ate and
drank it all.

   {14:16} In the early morning the king arose, and Daniel with him.
{14:17} And the king said, "Daniel, are the seals whole?" And he said,
"Yes, O king, they are whole." {14:18} And as soon as he had opened the
door, the king looked upon the table and cried with a loud voice,
"Great you are, O Bel, and with you is no deceit at all!" {14:19} Then
Daniel laughed, and held the king back so that he would not go in, and
he said, "Behold now the pavement, and mark well whose footsteps these
are." {14:20} And the king said, "I see the footsteps of men, women,
and children." And then the king was angry, {14:21} and he took the
priests with their wives and children, who showed him the private doors
where they came in and consumed such things as were on the table.
{14:22} Therefore the king slew them, and delivered Bel into Daniel's
power, who destroyed him and his temple.

   {14:23} And in that same place there was a great dragon, which they
of Babylon worshipped. {14:24} And the king said to Daniel, "Will you
also say that this is of brass? Lo, he lives, he eats and drinks; you
cannot say that he is no living god; therefore, worship him." {14:25}
Then Daniel said to the king, "I will worship the Lord my God; for he
is the living God. {14:26} But give me permission, O king, and I shall
slay this dragon without sword or staff." The king said, "I give you
permission." {14:27} Then Daniel took pitch and fat and hair, and
boiled them together, and made lumps thereof; this he put in the
dragon's mouth, and so the dragon burst apart; and Daniel said, "Lo,
these are the gods you worship."

   {14:28} When they of Babylon heard this, they took great indignation
and conspired against the king, saying, "The king has become a Jew and
he has destroyed Bel; he has slain the dragon and put the priests to
death." {14:29} So they came to the king and said, "Deliver Daniel to
us or else we will destroy you and your house." {14:30} Now when the
king saw that they pressed him severely, being constrained, he
delivered Daniel to them; {14:31} they cast him into the lions' den,
where he was for six days. {14:32} And in the den there were seven
lions, and they had given them every day two carcasses and two sheep,
which then were not given to them, to the intent that they might devour
Daniel.

   {14:33} Now there was among the Jews a prophet, called Habbakuk, who
had made pottage and had broken bread in a bowl, and was going into the
field, to bring it to the reapers. {14:34} But the angel of the Lord
said to Habbakuk, "Go, carry the dinner that you have into Babylon to
Daniel, who is in the lions' den." {14:35} And Habbakuk said, "Lord, I
never saw Babylon; neither do I know where the den is." {14:36} Then
the angel of the Lord took him by the crown, and carried him by the
hair of his head, and through the vehemence of his spirit set him in
Babylon over the den. {14:37} And Habbakuk cried, saying, "O Daniel,
Daniel, take the dinner which God has sent you." {14:38} And Daniel
said, "You have remembered me, O God; neither have you forsaken those
who seek you and love you." {14:39} So Daniel arose and ate; and the
angel of the Lord set Habbakuk in his own place again immediately.

   {14:40} Upon the seventh day the king went to bewail Daniel; and
when he came to the den, he looked in, and behold, Daniel was sitting.
{14:41} Then the king cried with a loud voice, saying, "Great are you,
Lord God of Daniel, and there is no other beside you!" {14:42} And he
drew him out, and cast those who were the cause of his destruction into
the den; and they were devoured in a moment before his face.



________________________________________________________________________

Footnotes:
[1] {4:1} The Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate number chapter 4,
verses 1-3 as chapter 3, verses 98-100. Consequently chapter 4, verses
4 to the end of the chapter are numbered 3 less in those editions.

