Daniel 2:3–9

³The king said to them, “I had a dream, and I’m troubled by it. I want to know what the dream was.” 

⁴The astrologers spoke to the king in Aramaic, “Your Majesty, may you live forever! Tell us the dream, and we’ll interpret it for you.” 

⁵The king answered the astrologers, “I meant what I said! If you don’t tell me the dream and its meaning, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into piles of rubble. ⁶But if you tell me the dream and its meaning, I will give you gifts, awards, and high honors. Now tell me the dream and its meaning.” 

⁷Once more they said, “Your Majesty, tell us the dream, and we’ll tell you its meaning.” 

⁸The king replied, “I’m sure you’re trying to buy some time because you know that I meant what I said. ⁹If you don’t tell me the dream, you’ll all receive the same punishment. You have agreed among yourselves to make up a phony explanation to give me, hoping that things will change. So tell me the dream. Then I’ll know that you can explain its meaning to me.”