7. Again the wise men said to the king, “Please, tell us the dream. And we will tell you what it means.”
8. King Nebuchadnezzar answered, “Now I know that you are trying to get more time. You know that I meant what I said.
9. If you don’t tell me my dream, you will be punished. You have all agreed to tell me lies and wicked things. You are hoping things will change. Now, tell me the dream. Then I will know you can tell me what it really means!”
10. The wise men answered the king. They said, “No one on earth can do what the king asks! Not even a great and powerful king has ever asked the fortune-tellers, magicians or wise men to do this.
11. The king is asking something that is too hard. Only the gods could tell the king this. But the gods do not live among people.”
12. When the king heard that, he became very angry. He gave an order for all the wise men of Babylon to be killed.
13. So King Nebuchadnezzar’s order was announced. All the wise men were to be put to death. Men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to kill them.
14. Arioch was the commander of the king’s guards. He was going to put to death the wise men of Babylon. But Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and skill.
15. Daniel asked, “Why did the king order such a terrible punishment?” Then Arioch explained everything to Daniel.
16. When Daniel heard the story, he went to King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel asked him to give him some more time. Then he would tell the king what he had dreamed and what it meant.
17. So Daniel went to his house. He explained the whole story to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
18. Daniel asked his friends to pray to the God of heaven. Daniel asked them to pray that God would show them mercy and help them understand this secret. Then Daniel and his friends would not be put to death with the other wise men of Babylon.
19. During the night God explained the secret to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.
20. Daniel said:“Praise God forever and ever.He has wisdom and power.
21. He changes the times and seasons of the year.He takes away the power of kings.And he gives their power to new kings.He gives wisdom to people so they become wise.And he helps people learn and know things.
22. He makes known secrets that are deep and hidden.He knows what is hidden in darkness,and light lives with him.