Nebuchadnezzar Has a Disturbing Dream

2:1 In the second year of his1 reign Nebuchadnezzar had many dreams.2 His mind3 was disturbed and he suffered from insomnia.4 2:2 The king issued an order5 to summon the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and wise men6 in order to explain his dreams to him.7 So they came and awaited the king’s instructions.8

2:3 The king told them, “I have had a dream,9 and I10 am anxious to understand the dream.” 2:4 The wise men replied to the king: [What follows is in Aramaic11] “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will disclose its12 interpretation.” 2:5 The king replied13 to the wise men, “My decision is firm.14 If you do not inform me of both the dream and its interpretation, you will be dismembered15 and your homes reduced to rubble! 2:6 But if you can disclose the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts, a reward, and considerable honor. So disclose to me the dream and its interpretation!” 2:7 They again replied, “Let the king inform us16 of the dream; then we will disclose its17 interpretation.” 2:8 The king replied, “I know for sure that you are attempting to gain time, because you see that my decision is firm. 2:9 If you don’t inform me of the dream, there is only one thing that is going to happen to you.18 For you have agreed among yourselves to report to me something false and deceitful19 until such time as things might change. So tell me the dream, and I will have confidence20 that you can disclose its interpretation.”

2:10 The wise men replied to the king, “There is no man on earth who is able to disclose the king’s secret,21 for no king, regardless of his position and power, has ever requested such a thing from any magician, astrologer, or wise man. 2:11 What the king is asking is too difficult, and no one exists who can disclose it to the king, except for the gods—but they don’t live among mortals!”22

2:12 Because of this the king got furiously angry23 and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 2:13 So a decree went out, and the wise men were about24 to be executed. They also sought25 Daniel and his friends so that they could be executed.

2:14 Then Daniel spoke with prudent counsel26 to Arioch, who was in charge of the king’s executioners and who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. 2:15 He inquired of Arioch the king’s deputy, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?”27 Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter. 2:16 So Daniel went in and28 requested the king to grant him time, that he might disclose the interpretation to the king. 2:17 Then Daniel went to his home and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the matter. 2:18 He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he29 and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 2:19 Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised30 the God of heaven, 2:20 saying,31

“Let the name of God32 be praised33 forever and ever,

for wisdom and power belong to him.

2:21 He changes times and seasons,

deposing some kings

and establishing others.34

He gives wisdom to the wise;

he imparts knowledge to those with understanding;35

2:22 he reveals deep and hidden things.

He knows what is in the darkness,

and light resides with him.

2:23 O God of my fathers, I acknowledge and glorify you,

for you have bestowed wisdom and power on me.

Now you have enabled me to understand what I36 requested from you.

For you have enabled me to understand the king’s dilemma.”37

2:24 Then Daniel went in to see38 Arioch (whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon). He came39 and said to him, “Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon! Escort me40 to the king, and I will disclose the interpretation to him!”41

2:25 So Arioch quickly ushered Daniel into the king’s presence, saying to him, “I42 have found a man from the captives of Judah who can make known the interpretation to the king.” 2:26 The king then asked Daniel (whose name was also Belteshazzar), “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I saw, as well as its interpretation?” 2:27 Daniel replied to the king, “The mystery that the king is asking about is such that no wise men, astrologers, magicians, or diviners can possibly disclose it to the king. 2:28 However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries,43 and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the times to come.44 The dream and the visions you had while lying on your bed45 are as follows.

2:29 “As for you, O king, while you were in your bed your thoughts turned to future things.46 The revealer of mysteries has made known to you what will take place. 2:30 As for me, this mystery was revealed to me not because I possess more wisdom47 than any other living person, but so that the king may understand48 the interpretation and comprehend the thoughts of your mind.49

2:31 “You, O king, were watching as a great statue—one50 of impressive size and extraordinary brightness—was standing before you. Its appearance caused alarm. 2:32 As for that statue, its head was of fine gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs were of bronze. 2:33 Its legs were of iron; its feet were partly of iron and partly of clay.51 2:34 You were watching as52 a stone was cut out,53 but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its iron and clay feet, breaking them in pieces. 2:35 Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were broken in pieces without distinction54 and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors that the wind carries away. Not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a large mountain that filled the entire earth. 2:36 This was the dream. Now we55 will set forth before the king its interpretation.