¹⁷ Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else.^(A) Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

¹⁸ “Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar^(B) sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor.^{(C) 19} Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death;^(D) those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled.^(E)