Daniel 2:17-23

2:17 Then Daniel went to his home and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the matter. 2:18 He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he ¹  and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 2:19 Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised ²  the God of heaven, 2:20 saying, ³ 

“Let the name of God ⁴  be praised ⁵  forever and ever,

for wisdom and power belong to him.

2:21 He changes times and seasons,

deposing some kings

and establishing others. ⁶ 

He gives wisdom to the wise;

he imparts knowledge to those with understanding; ⁷ 

2:22 he reveals deep and hidden things.

He knows what is in the darkness,

and light resides with him.

2:23 O God of my fathers, I acknowledge and glorify you,

for you have bestowed wisdom and power on me.

Now you have enabled me to understand what I ⁸  requested from you.

For you have enabled me to understand the king’s dilemma.” ⁹ 

[2:18]  ¹ tn Aram “Daniel.” The proper name is redundant here in English, and has not been included in the translation.

[2:19]  ² tn Or “blessed.”

[2:20]  ³ tn Aram “Daniel answered and said.”

[2:20]  ⁴ sn As is often the case in the Bible, here the name represents the person.

[2:20]  ⁵ tn Or “blessed.”

[2:21]  ⁶ tn Aram “kings.”

[2:21]  ⁷ tn Aram “the knowers of understanding.”

[2:23]  ⁸ tn Aram “we.” Various explanations have been offered for the plural, but it is probably best understood as the editorial plural; so also with “me” later in this verse.

[2:23]  ⁹ tn Aram “the word of the king.”