Daniel 5:11–16

¹¹There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him.^a And in the days of your predecessor,^b enlightenment and insight and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods was found in him; and, O king, Nebuchadnezzar your predecessor^c appointed him as chief of the magicians,^d the conjurers,^e the astrologers,^f and the diviners. Your predecessor^g the king did this ¹²because^h there was found in him an excellent spirit and understanding and insight for interpreting dreams and explaining riddles and solving riddles; that is, in Daniel whom the king namedⁱ Belteshazzar. Now, let Daniel be called and he will tell the explanation.”^j

Daniel Deciphers and Interprets the Writing

¹³Then Daniel was brought in before the king, and the king spoke^k and said to Daniel, “You are Daniel who are one of the exiles^l of Judah^m whom my predecessor,ⁿ the king, brought from Judah.^{o 14}And I have heard that a spirit of the gods is in you and enlightenment and insight and excellent wisdom was found in you. ¹⁵And now the wise men and the conjurers^p were brought in before me so that they could read this writing in order to make its explanation^q known to me, but they were not able to disclose the explanation^r of the matter. ¹⁶But I have heard concerning you that you are able to produce interpretations^s and to solve riddles; now if you are able to read the writing and to make known its explanation^t to me, you will be clothed in purple and a necklace of gold will be placed around your neck and you will rule as third in command in the kingdom.”