For the which cause the king was wroth with great indignation, and commanded to destroy all the wise men at Babylon:

and the proclamation went forth that the wise men should be slain. They sought also to slay Daniel with his companions.

This is the dream, that I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Therefore O Balteshazzar, tell thou me what it signifieth: forsomuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to show me, what it meaneth. But thou canst do it, for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee."

Wherefore the king cried mightily, that they should bring him the charmers, Chaldeans, and the conjurers of devils. The king spake also to the wise men of Babylon, and said, "Whoso can read this writing, and show me the plain meaning thereof: shall be clothed with purple, have a chain of gold about his neck, and rule the third part of my kingdom."

Upon this, came all the king's wise men: but they could neither read the writing, nor show the king what it signified.