and the LORD delivered Jehoiakim the king of Judah into his hand, with certain ornaments of the house of God, which he carried away into the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and there brought them into his god's treasury.

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the chief chamberlain, that he should bring him certain of the children of Israel, that were come of the king's seed and of princes,

young springaldes without any blemish, but fair and well favored, instructed in all wisdom, cunning and understanding: which were able to stand in the king's palace, to read and to learn for to speak Chaldeish.

Unto these, the king appointed a certain portion of his own meat, and of the wine which he drank himself, so to nourish them three years: that afterward they might stand before the king.

But Daniel was at a point with himself, that he would not be defiled through the king's meat, nor the wine which he drunk. And this he desired of the chief chamberlain, lest he should defile himself.

So God gave Daniel favour and grace before the chief chamberlain,

that he said unto him, "I am afraid of my lord the king, which hath appointed you your meat and drink: lest he spy your faces to be worse liking than the other springaldes of your age, and so ye shall make me lose my head unto the king."

Then look upon our faces, and theirs that eat of the king's meat. And as thou seest, so deal with thy servants."

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

And after the ten days, their faces were better liking and fatter, than all the young springaldes, which ate of the king's meat.

Then the king commanded to call together all the soothsayers, charmers, witches and Chaldeans, for to show the king his dream. So they came, and stood before the king.

And the king said unto them, "I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was so troubled therewith, that I have clean forgotten what I dreamed."

They answered again, and said, "The king must show his servants the dream, and so shall we declare what it meaneth."

Then the king answered, saying, "I perceive of a truth, that ye do but prolong the time: forsomuch as ye see, that the thing is gone from me.

Therefore, if ye will not tell me the dream, ye shall all have one judgment: But ye feign and dissemble with vain words which ye speak before me, to put off the time. Therefore tell me the dream, and so shall I know - if ye can show me - what it meaneth."

Then Daniel enquired Arioch the king's steward, of the judgment and sentence that was gone forth already to kill such as were wise at Babylon.

He answered, and said to Arioch, being then the king's deputy, "Why hath the king proclaimed so cruel a sentence?" So Arioch told Daniel the matter.

I thank thee, and pray thee, O thou God of my fathers, that thou hast lent me wisdom and strength, and hast showed me the thing that we desired of thee, for thou hast opened the king's matter unto me."

O king, thou didst cast in thy mind, what should come hereafter: So he that is the opener of mysteries, telleth thee what is for to come.

The fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron. For like as iron bruiseth and breaketh all things: Yea even as iron beateth everything down, so shall it beat down and destroy.

So the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many and great gifts. He made him ruler of all the countries of Babylon, and lord of all the nobles, that were at Babylon.

Now Daniel intreated the king for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, so that he made them rulers over all the offices in the land of Babylon: But Daniel himself remained still in the court by the king.

So the dukes, lords and nobles, the judges and officers, deputies and sheriffs, with all the rulers of the land gathered them together, and came unto the dedicating of the Image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Now when they stood before the Image, which Nebuchadnezzar had set up,

Then Nebuchadnezzar in a cruel wrath and displeasure, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego should be brought unto him. So these men were brought before the king.

Well, be ready hereafter, when ye hear the noise of the trumpets blow with the harps, shawmes psalteries, symphonies and all the other melodies: that ye fall down, and worship the Image which I have made. But if ye worship it not, ye shall be cast immediately in to a hot burning oven. Let's see what God is there, that may deliver you out of my hands!"

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of indignation, so that the countenance of his face changed upon Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Therefore he charged and commanded, that the oven should be made seven times hotter, than it was wont to be:

So these men were bound in their coats, hosen, shoes with their other garments, and cast into the hot burning oven.

For the king's commandment was so straight, and the oven was exceeding hot. As for the men that put in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the flame of the fire destroyed them.

He answered and said, "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt. And the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

Upon this went Nebuchadnezzar unto the mouth of the hot burning oven: he spake also, and said, "O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the high God: go forth, and come hither." And so Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went out of the fire.

Then the dukes, lords and nobles, and the king's counsel came together to see these men, upon whom the fire had no manner of power in their bodies: insomuch that the very hair of their head was not burnt, and their clothes unchanged: Yea, there was no smell of fire felt upon them.

Then spake Nebuchadnezzar, and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: which hath sent his angel, and defended his servants that put their trust in him: that have altered the king's commandment, and jeopardized their bodies thereupon, rather than they would serve or worship any other god except their own God only.

So the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the land of Babylon.

saw a dream, which made me afraid: and the thoughts that I had upon my bed, with the visions of mine head, troubled me.

So there came the soothsayers, charmers, Chaldeans and conjurers of devils: to whom I told the dream. But what it betokened, they could not show me:

I saw a vision in my head upon my bed: and behold, there stood a tree upon the ground,

his leaves were fair, he had very much fruit, so that every man had enough to eat therein. The beasts of the field had shadows under it, and the fowls of the air dwelt in the boughs thereof. Shortly, all creatures fed of it.

I saw in my head a vision upon my bed: and behold, a watcher, and a holy one, came down from heaven

That man's heart of his shall be taken from him, and a beast's heart shall be given him, till seven years be come and gone upon him.

Then Daniel, whose name was Balteshazzar, held his peace by the space of a hour and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spake, and said, "O Balteshazzar, let neither the dream nor the interpretation thereof fear thee." Balteshazzar answered saying, "O my lord, this dream happen to thine enemies, and the interpretation to thine adversaries!

As for the tree that thou sawest which was so great and mighty, whose height reached unto the heaven, and his breadth into all the world;

Even thou, O king, art the tree: great and strong. Thy greatness increaseth, and reacheth unto the heaven, so doth thy power to the ends of the earth.

But whereas the king saw a watcher, even a holy angel, that came down from heaven, and said, 'Hew down the tree, and destroy it: yet leave the ground of the root in the earth, and bind him upon the plain field with chains of iron and steel: He shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and his part shall be with the beasts of the field, till seven years be come and gone upon him.'

So after twelve months, the king walked up and down in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon,

and said, "This is the great city of Babylon, which I myself, with my power and strength, have made a king's court, for the honour of my majesty."

While these words were yet in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, "O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee be it spoken, 'Thy kingdom is departed from thee.

Thou shalt be cast out of men's company: thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, so that thou shalt eat grass like as an ox, till seven years be come and gone over thee: even until thou knowest, that the highest hath power upon the kingdoms of men, and that he may give them, unto whom it pleaseth him.'"

The very same hour was this matter fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: so that he was cast out of men's company, and ate grass like an ox; His body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were as great as Eagle's feathers, and his nails like bird's claws.

in comparison of whom, all they that dwell upon the earth are to be reputed as nothing. He handleth according to his will, among the powers of heaven and among the inhabiters of the earth - and there is none that may resist his hand, or say, 'What doest thou?'

At the same time was mine understanding given me again, and I was restored to the honour of my kingdom, to my dignity, and to my own shape again. My great estates and princes sought unto me, and I was set in my kingdom again, so that I had yet greater worship.

So they brought the golden vessel, that was taken out of the temple of the LORD's house at Jerusalem. Then the king and his lords with his queen and concubines drunk out of them.

In the very same hour there appeared fingers, as it had been of a man's hand writing, right over against the candlestick upon the plain wall in the king's palace: and the king saw the palm of the hand that wrote.

Then changed the king his countenance, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his body shook, and his knees smote one against another.

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

Then was the king sore afraid in so much, that his color changed, and his lords were sore vexed.

So by reason of this matter, that had happened to the king and his lords, the queen went up herself into the banquet house, and spake unto the king, saying, "O king, God save thy life forever: Let not the thoughts trouble thee, and let not thy countenance be changed.

For why? There is a man in thy kingdom, that hath the spirit of the holy gods within him, as it was seen in thy father's days. He hath understanding and wisdom like the gods; Yea, the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father made this man chief of the soothsayers, charmers, Chaldeans and devil conjurers:

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?

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

But Daniel exceeded all these princes and lords, for the spirit of God was plenteous in him: so that the king was minded to set him over the whole realm.

Wherefore the princes and lords sought to pick out in Daniel some quarrel against the kingdom: yet could they find none occasion nor fault upon him. For why? He was so faithful, that there was no blame nor dishonesty found in him.

So Darius made the writing, and confirmed it.

So they came to the king, and spake before him concerning his commandment, saying, "O king, hast thou not subscribed the statute, that within thirty days whoso requireth his petition of any god or man, but only of thyself, O king, he shall be cast into the den of the lions?" The king answered, and said, "It is true. It must be as a law of the Medes and Persians, that may not be broken."

These men, perceiving the king's mind, said unto him, "Know this, O king: that the law of the Medes and Persians is, that the commandment and statute which the king maketh, may not be altered."

And there was brought a stone, and laid upon the hole of the den: this the king sealed with his own ring, and with the signet of his princes: that the king's commandment concerning Daniel, should not be broken.

So the king went in to his palace, and kept him sober all night, so that there was no table spread before him, neither could he take any sleep.

My God hath sent his angel, which hath shut the lions' mouths, so that they might not hurt me. For why? Mine unguiltiness is found out before him. And as for thee, O king, I never offended thee."

Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded to take Daniel out of the den. So Daniel was brought out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him; For he put his trust in his God.

And as for those men which had accused Daniel, the king commanded to bring them, and to cast them in the Lions' den: them, their children, and their wives. So the Lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones asunder, before they came at the ground.

My commandment is, in all my dominion and kingdom, that men fear and stand in awe of Daniel's God. For he is the living God, which abideth ever: his kingdom shall not fail and his power is everlasting.

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, saw Daniel a dream, and a vision was in his head upon his bed. Which dream he wrote, and the sum of the matter is this:

Daniel spake and said, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the sea,

and four great beasts came up from the sea, one unlike another.

The first was as a Lion, and yet had he Eagle's wings. I saw, that his wings were plucked from him, and he taken away from the earth: that he stood upon his feet as a man, and that there was given him a man's heart.

After this I saw in a vision by night, and behold, the fourth beast was grim and horrible, and marvelous strong. It had great iron teeth, it devoured and destroyed, and stamped the residue under feet. It was far unlike the other beasts that were before it: for it had ten horns, whereof I took good heed.

I saw in a vision by night, and behold, there came one in the clouds of heaven like the Son of Man - which went unto the Ancient of Days, before whom they brought him.

till I gat me to one of them that stood by, to know the truth, concerning all these things. So he told me, and made me understand the interpretation of these things.

After this, I required diligently to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was so far unlike the other beasts, and so horrible: whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass: which devoured and destroyed, and stamped the residue under his feet.

But the judgment shall be kept, so that his power shall be taken from him: for he shall be destroyed, and perish at the last.

Thus far extend the words. Nevertheless, I Daniel was so vexed in my thoughts, that my countenance changed, but the words I kept still in my heart."

I saw in a vision, and when I saw it, I was at Susa in the chief city, which lieth in the land of Elam, and in the vision me thought I was by the river of Ulai.

Then I looked up, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river, a ram, which had horns: and these horns were high, but one was higher than another, and the highest came up last.

I saw that this ram pushed with his horns, against the west, against the north and against the south: so that no beasts might stand before him, nor defend them from his power: but he did as him listed, and waxed great.

I saw him draw nigh unto the ram, being very fierce upon him: yea he gave him such a stroke, that he brake his two horns. Neither had the ram so much strength as to stand before him: but he cast him down, trod him under his feet: and no man was able to deliver the ram out of his power.

And a certain season was given unto it, against the daily offering, because of wickedness: that it might cast down the verity to the ground, and so to prosper in all things that it went about.

Upon this I heard one of the saints speaking, which saint said unto one that asked this question, "How long shall this vision of the daily sacrifice and of the wasting abomination endure: that the Sanctuary and the power shall so be trodden under foot?"

And I heard a man's voice in the river of Ulai, which cried, and said, "O Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."

So he came, and stood by me. But I was afraid at his coming, and fell down upon my face. Then said he unto me, "O thou son of man, mark well, for in the last time shall this vision be fulfilled."

Now as he was speaking unto me, I waxed faint, so that I sunk down to the ground. But he took hold upon me, and set me up again,

But whereas it brake, and four others rose up in the stead: it signifieth that out of this people shall stand up four kingdoms, but not so mighty as it.

Upon this was I, Daniel, very faint, so that I lay sick certain days: but when I rose up, I went about the king's business, and marveled at the vision. Nevertheless, no man knew of it.

Yea, all Israel have transgressed, and gone back from thy law, so that they have not hearkened unto thy voice. Wherefore the curse and oath, that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, against whom we have offended, is poured upon us.

As I was yet speaking at my prayers, knowledging mine own sins, and the sins of my people, making so mine intercession before the LORD my God, for the holy hill's sake of my God:

For as soon as thou begannest to make thy prayer, it was so devised, and therefore am I come to show thee. And why? For thou art a man greatly beloved. Wherefore, ponder the matter well, that thou mayest learn to understand the vision.

so that I had no lust to eat bread: as for flesh and wine, there came none within my mouth: No, I did not once anoint myself, till the whole three weeks were out.

I, Daniel, alone saw this vision. The men that were with me, saw it not: but a great fearfulness fell upon them, so that they fled away, and hid themselves.