11 There is a man in your kingdom who has a spirit of the holy gods in him.(A) In the days of your predecessor he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods. Your predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners. Your own predecessor, the king, 12 did this because Daniel, the one the king named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and intelligence, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems.[a](B) Therefore, summon Daniel, and he will give the interpretation.”

Daniel before the King

13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the Judean exiles that my predecessor the king brought from Judah?(C) 14 I’ve heard that you have a spirit of the gods in you, and that insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men and mediums were brought before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not give its interpretation. 16 However, I have heard about you that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around your neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom.”(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 5:12 Lit and untie knots; also in v. 16

11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods(A) in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom(B) like that of the gods.(C) Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.(D) 12 He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar,(E) was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles(F) and solve difficult problems.(G) Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.(H)

13 So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?(I) 14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods(J) is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.(K) 15 The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it.(L) 16 Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems.(M) If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck,(N) and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”(O)

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