Daniel:2:1-23

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* Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar 's reign , Nebuchadnezzar had dreams ; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him . * Then the king gave the command to call the magicians , the astrologers , the sorcerers , and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams . So they came and stood before the king . * And the king said to them , "I have had a dream , and my spirit is anxious to know the dream ." * Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic , "O king , live forever ! Tell your servants the dream , and we will give the interpretation ." * The king answered and said to the Chaldeans , "My decision is firm : if you do not make known the dream to me , and its interpretation , you shall be cut in pieces , and your houses shall be made an ash heap . * However , if you tell the dream and its interpretation , you shall receive from me gifts , rewards , and great honor . Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation ." * They answered again and said , "Let the king tell his servants the dream , and we will give its interpretation ." * The king answered and said , "I know for certain that you would gain time , because you see that my decision is firm : * if you do not make known the dream to me , there is only one decree for you ! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed . Therefore tell me the dream , and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation ." * The Chaldeans answered the king , and said , "There is not a man on earth who can tell the king 's matter ; therefore no king , lord , or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician , astrologer , or Chaldean . * It is a difficult thing that the king requests , and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods , whose dwelling is not with flesh ." * For this reason the king was angry and very furious , and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon . * So the decree went out , and they began killing the wise men ; and they sought Daniel and his companions , to kill them . * Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch , the captain of the king 's guard , who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon ; * he answered and said to Arioch the king 's captain , "Why is the decree from the king so urgent ?" Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel . * So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time , that he might tell the king the interpretation . * Then Daniel went to his house , and made the decision known to Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah , his companions , * that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret , so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon . * Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision . So Daniel blessed the God of heaven . * Daniel answered and said : "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever , For wisdom and might are His . * And He changes the times and the seasons ; He removes kings and raises up kings ; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding . * He reveals deep and secret things ; He knows what is in the darkness , And light dwells with Him . * "I thank You and praise You , O God of my fathers ; You have given me wisdom and might , And have now made known to me what we asked of You , For You have made known to us the king 's demand ."

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