When Daniel realized that a written decree had been issued, he entered his home, where the windows in his upper room opened toward Jerusalem. Three times daily he was kneeling and offering prayers and thanks to his God just as he had been accustomed to do previously.

So Daniel went in and requested the king to grant him time, that he might disclose the interpretation to the king.

Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised the God of heaven,

Whoever does not bow down and pay homage will immediately be thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire!”

Now at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought malicious accusations against the Jews.

And whoever does not bow down and pay homage must be thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.

Now if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, trigon, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must bow down and pay homage to the statue that I had made. If you don’t pay homage to it, you will immediately be thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. Now, who is that god who can rescue you from my power?”

I am delighted to tell you about the signs and wonders that the most high God has done for me.

After twelve months, he happened to be walking around on the battlements of the royal palace of Babylon.

I have heard about you, how there is a spirit of the gods in you, and how you have insight, discernment, and extraordinary wisdom.

“But you, his son Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, although you knew all this.

Therefore the palm of a hand was sent from him, and this writing was inscribed.

In the morning, at the earliest sign of daylight, the king got up and rushed to the lions’ den.

‘These large beasts, which are four in number, represent four kings who will arise from the earth.

The wise men replied to the king, “There is no man on earth who is able to disclose the king’s secret, for no king, regardless of his position and power, has ever requested such a thing from any magician, astrologer, or wise man.

As for me, this mystery was revealed to me not because I possess more wisdom than any other living person, but so that the king may understand the interpretation and comprehend the thoughts of your mind.

Wherever human beings, wild animals, and birds of the sky live – he has given them into your power. He has given you authority over them all. You are the head of gold.

Then there will be a fourth kingdom, one strong like iron. Just like iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything, and as iron breaks in pieces all of these metals, so it will break in pieces and crush the others.

And in that you saw iron mixed with wet clay, so people will be mixed with one another without adhering to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.

In the days of those kings the God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will not be destroyed and a kingdom that will not be left to another people. It will break in pieces and bring about the demise of all these kingdoms. But it will stand forever.