16. Daniel rushed off and said to the king, “If you will just give me some time, I'll explain your dream.”
17. Daniel returned home and told his three friends.
18. Then he said, “Pray that the God who rules from heaven will be merciful and explain this mystery, so that we and the others won't be put to death.”
19. In a vision one night, Daniel was shown the dream and its meaning. Then he praised the God who rules from heaven:
20. “Our God, your namewill be praisedfor ever and for ever.You are all-powerful,and you know everything.
21. You control human events—you give rulers their powerand take it away,and you are the sourceof wisdom and knowledge.
22. “You explain deep mysteries,because even the darkis light to you.
23. You are the Godwho was worshippedby my ancestors.Now I thank you and praise youfor making me wiseand telling me the king's dream,together with its meaning.”
24. Daniel went back to Arioch, the official in charge of executing the wise men. Daniel said, “Don't kill those men! Take me to the king, and I will explain the meaning of his dream.”
25. Arioch rushed Daniel to the king and announced, “Your Majesty, I have found out that one of the men brought here from Judah can explain your dream.”
26. The king asked Daniel, “Can you tell me my dream and what it means?”
27. Daniel answered:Your Majesty, not even the cleverest person in all the world can do what you are demanding.
28-29. But the God who rules from heaven can explain mysteries. And while you were sleeping, he showed you what will happen in the future.
30. However, you must realize that these mysteries weren't explained to me because I am cleverer than everyone else. Instead, it was done so that you would understand what you have seen.