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17 The sentence is rendered by decree of the watchers,
    the decision is given by order of the holy ones,
in order that all who live may know
    that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of mortals;
he gives it to whom he will
    and sets over it the lowliest of human beings.”

18 ‘This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are unable to tell me the interpretation. You are able, however, for you are endowed with a spirit of the holy gods.’[a]

Daniel Interprets the Second Dream

19 Then Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar, was severely distressed for a while. His thoughts terrified him. The king said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or the interpretation terrify you.’ Belteshazzar answered, ‘My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation for your enemies!

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:18 Or a holy, divine spirit

17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(A) is sovereign(B) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(C) of people.’

18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me.(D) But you can,(E) because the spirit of the holy gods(F) is in you.”(G)

Daniel Interprets the Dream

19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified(H) him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”(I)

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries!

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