Daniel 5:13-31 - Daniel Deciphers And Interprets The Writing
13 Then was Daniel brought before the king. So the king spake unto Daniel, and said, "Art thou that Daniel, one of the prisoners of Judah whom my father the king brought out of Jewry? 14 I have heard speak of thee, that thou hast the spirit of the holy gods, experience and understanding, and that there hath been great wisdom found in thee. 15 Now have there been brought me, wise and conjuring charmers, to read this writing, and to show me the meaning thereof: but they could not tell me, what this matter signified. 16 Then heard I say, that thou can expound dark things, and declare hard doubts. Well then, if thou can read this writing, and show me the meaning thereof: thou shalt be clothed with purple, have a chain of gold about thy neck, and rule the third part of my kingdom."
17 Daniel answered, and said before the king, "As for thy rewards, keep them to thyself, or give thy rich gifts to another: yet not the less, I will read the writing unto the king, and show him the interpretation thereof. 18 O king, God the highest gave unto Nebuchadnezzar, thy father, the dignity of a king, with worship and honor: 19 So that all people, kindreds and tongues stood in awe and fear of him, by reason of the high estate that he had sent him. For why? He slew whom he would; he smote, whom it pleased him. Again: whom he would, he set up; and whom he list, he put down. 20 But because his heart was so proud, and his stomach set so fast unto wilfulness: he was deposed from his kingly throne, and his majesty was taken from him. 21 He was shot out from among men, his heart was like a beast's heart, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: he was fain to eat grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven: till he knew, that the highest had power upon the kingdoms of men, and setteth over them, whom he list.
22 And thou, his son, O Belshazzar, for all this, hast not submitted thine heart, though thou knewest all these things: 23 but hast magnified thyself above the LORD of heaven, so that the vessels of his house were brought before thee: that thou, and thy lords, with thy queen and concubines, might drink wine thereout: and hast praised the Idols of silver and gold, copper and iron, of wood and stone. As for the God in whose hand consisteth thy breath and all thy ways: thou hast not loved him. 24 Therefore is the palm of this hand sent hither from him, to token up this writing.
25 And this is the scripture that is written up, 'Mene, Tekel, Phares.'
26 Now the interpretation of the thing is this: Mene, God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end. 27 Tekel, thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting: 28 Phares, thy kingdom is dealt in parts, and given to the Medes and Persians."
29 Then commanded Belshazzar to clothe Daniel with purple, to hang a chain of gold about his neck, and to make a proclamation concerning him: that he should be the ruler of the third part of his kingdom.
30 The very same night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain, 31 and Darius out of Media took in the kingdom, being sixty two years of age.