Daniel 1  Daniel Captured  and Celebrated

Daniel 1:1  In the third year Jehoiakim was king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Jerusalem. 

Daniel 1:2  The Lord let Nebuchadnezzar capture Jehoiakim and take away some of the treasures used in God's temple. When the king returned to Babylon, he put these treasures in the temple of his own god. 

Daniel 1:3  One day the king ordered Ashpenaz, his highest palace official, to collect some of the young captured men from the royal families of Judah.
 
Daniel 1:4  The king said, "They must be healthy, handsome, smart, wise, educated, and fit to serve in the royal palace. Teach them our Babylonian literature and how to speak and write our Chaldean language. 

Daniel 1:5  Give them the same food and wine that I am served. Train them for three years, then they can become my royal court advisors." 

Daniel 1:6  Four of the young Jews chosen were from the tribe of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
 
Daniel 1:7  But the king's chief official gave them Babylonian names: Daniel became Belteshazzar, Hananiah became Shadrach, Mishael became Meshach, and Azariah became Abednego. 

Daniel 1:8  Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s food but eat and drink only what God had approved for his people to eat. He asked the king's chief official for permission not to eat the food and wine served in the royal palace. 

Daniel 1:9  God made the king’s official kind and respectful to Daniel. 

Daniel 1:10  And the official told him, "The king has decided what you must eat and drink. And I am afraid he will kill me if you eat something else and end up looking worse than the other young men." 

Daniel 1:11  The king's official had put a guard in charge of Daniel and his three friends. So Daniel said to the guard, 

Daniel 1:12  "For the next ten days, let us have only vegetables and water at mealtime.
 
Daniel 1:13  When the ten days are up, compare how we look with the other young men, and decide what to do with us." 

Daniel 1:14  The guard agreed to do what Daniel had asked. 

Daniel 1:15  Ten days later, Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better than the young men who had been served food from the royal palace. 

Daniel 1:16  After this, the guard let them eat vegetables instead of the rich food and wine. 

Daniel 1:17  God made the four young men smart and wise. They read a lot of books and became well educated. God gave Daniel the ability to tell the meaning of dreams and visions. 

Daniel 1:18  At the end of the three-year period set by King Nebuchadnezzar, his chief palace official brought all the young men to him. 

Daniel 1:19  The king interviewed them and discovered that none of the others were as outstanding as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were given positions as royal court advisors. 

Daniel 1:20  From then on, whenever the king asked for advice, he found their wisdom was ten times better than of any of his other advisors or magicians. 

Daniel 1:21  Daniel served there until the first year of King Cyrus. 

				     Daniel 2  Neb’s Image of Kingdoms

Daniel 2:1  During the second year that Nebuchadnezzar was king, he had such horrible nightmares that he could not sleep. 

Daniel 2:2  So he called in his counselors, advisors, magicians, and astrologers,
 
Daniel 2:3  and said, "I am disturbed by a dream that I don't understand, and I want you to explain it." 

Daniel 2:4  They answered in Aramaic, "Your Majesty, we hope you live forever! We are your servants. Please tell us your dream and we will explain what it means." 

Daniel 2:5  But the king replied, "No! I have made up my mind. If you don't tell me both the dream and its meaning, you will be chopped to pieces and your houses will be defiled. 

Daniel 2:6  However, if you do tell me both the dream and its meaning, you will be greatly rewarded and highly honored. Now tell me the dream and explain what it means." 

Daniel 2:7  "Your Majesty," they said, "if you will only tell us your dream, we will interpret it for you." 

Daniel 2:8  The king replied, "I see your trick, you are just stalling for time, 
Daniel 2:9  because you know what's going to happen if you don't come up with the answer. You've decided to make up a bunch of lies, hoping I might change my mind. Now tell me the dream, and that will prove that you can interpret it." 

Daniel 2:10  His advisors explained, "Your Majesty, you are demanding the impossible! No king, not even the most famous and powerful, has ever ordered his advisors, magicians, or enchanters to do such a thing. 

Daniel 2:11  It can't be done, except by the gods, and they don't live here on earth." 

Daniel 2:12  This made the king so angry that he gave orders for every wise man in Babylonia to be put to death, 

Daniel 2:13  including Daniel and his three friends. 

Daniel 2:14  Daniel, very wisely, went to Arioch, the king's official in charge of putting the wise men to death,

Daniel 2:15  and asked, "Why did the king give such cruel orders?" Arioch explained what had happened, 

Daniel 2:16  Daniel rushed off to the king and said, "If you give me more time, I'll explain your dream." 

Daniel 2:17  Daniel returned home and told his three friends. 

Daniel 2:18  Then he said, "Pray that the God who rules from heaven will be merciful and explain this mystery, so that we and the others won't be put to death." 

Daniel 2:19  In a vision one night, Daniel was shown the dream and its meaning. Then he praised the God who rules from heaven: 

Daniel 2:20  "Our God, your name will be praised forever and forever. You are all-powerful, and you know everything. 

Daniel 2:21  You control human events, you give rulers their power and take it away, you give wisdom and knowledge to others.
 
Daniel 2:22  "You explain deep mysteries because even the dark is light to you. 

Daniel 2:23  I thank you for You are the God worshiped by my ancestors and I praise you for making me wise and telling me the king's dream, together with its meaning." 

Daniel 2:24  Daniel went back to Arioch and said, "Don't kill those men! Take me to the king, and I will explain the meaning of his dream." 

Daniel 2:25  Arioch rushed Daniel to the king and announced, "Your Majesty, I have found that one of the men, brought here from Judah, can explain your dream." 
Daniel 2:26  The king asked Daniel, "Can you tell me my dream and what it means?" 

Daniel 2:27  Daniel answered: Your Majesty, no fortune teller, wise man, or magician can do what you are demanding. 

Daniel 2:28  But the God who rules from heaven can explain mysteries. And while you were sleeping, he showed you what will happen

Daniel 2:29  The revealer of mysteries will show you the future.

Daniel 2:30  These mysteries weren't explained to me because I am smarter than everyone else. Instead, it was done so that you would understand what you have seen. 

Daniel 2:31  Your Majesty, what you saw standing in front of you was a huge and terrifying statue of a man, shining brightly. 

Daniel 2:32  Its head was made of gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs was bronze brass. 

Daniel 2:33  From there to its ankles was iron, and its feet were a mixture of iron and clay. 

Daniel 2:34  As you watched, a stone was supernaturally cut from a mountain. The stone struck the feet, completely shattering the iron and clay. 

Daniel 2:35  Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold of the statue were crushed and blown away without a trace, like husks of wheat at threshing time. And the stone became a tremendous mountain that covered the entire earth. 

Daniel 2:36  That was the dream, and now I'll tell you what it means. 

Daniel 2:37  Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings, for God has highly honored you with power 

Daniel 2:38  over all humans, animals, and birds of the known world. You are the head of gold. 

Daniel 2:39  After you are gone, the silver kingdom of chest and arms will rule, but it won't be as strong. Then it will be followed by the third kingdom, the bronze belly and thighs, and will rule the whole world. 

Daniel 2:40  Next, the kingdom of iron ankles will come to power, crushing and shattering everything. 

Daniel 2:41  This fourth kingdom of iron and clay toes will be divided. 

Daniel 2:42  It will be both strong as iron yet brittle as clay. 

Daniel 2:43  This kingdom will be the result of a marriage between kingdoms, but it will crumble, just as iron and clay don't stick well together.
 
Daniel 2:44  During the time of those kings, the God who rules from heaven will set up an eternal kingdom that will never fall.
 
Daniel 2:45  It will be like the stone supernaturally cut from the mountain, that crushed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. Your Majesty, in your dream the great God has told you what is going to happen, and you can trust this interpretation.

Daniel 2:46  King Nebuchadnezzar bowed low to the ground and worshiped Daniel. Then he gave orders for incense to be burned and a sacrifice of grain to be offered in honor of Daniel. 

Daniel 2:47  The king said, "Now I know that your God is the God of gods,  King of kings, and revealer of mysteries,  because he gave you the power to explain this mystery." 

Daniel 2:48  The king then presented Daniel with a lot of gifts; he promoted him to governor of Babylon Province and put him in charge of the other wise men. 

Daniel 2:49  At Daniel's request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to high positions in Babylon Province, and he let Daniel stay on as a palace official. 

			   Daniel 3  Neb’s Gold Statue and Fiery Furnance

Daniel 3:1  King Nebuchadnezzar ordered a gold statue to be built ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He had it set up in Dura Valley near the city of Babylon.

Daniel 3:2  He commanded his governors, advisors, treasurers, judges, and his other officials, to come from everywhere in his kingdom to the dedication of the statue. 

Daniel 3:3  So all of them came and stood in front of it. 

Daniel 3:4  Then an official stood up and announced: People of every nation and race, now listen to the king's command! 

Daniel 3:5  When you hear the rumpets, flutes, harps, and all other kinds of musical instruments start playing, you must bow down and worship the golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar.
 
Daniel 3:6  Anyone who refuses to obey will be thrown into a flaming furnace. 

Daniel 3:7  As soon as the people of different races and languages heard the music, they bowed down and worshiped the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 

Daniel 3:8  Some of the Babylonian astrologers used this as a chance to accuse the Jews to King Nebuchadnezzar. 

Daniel 3:9  They said, "Your Majesty, we hope you live forever! 

Daniel 3:10  You commanded everyone to bow down and worship the golden statue when the music played. 

Daniel 3:11  And you said that anyone who did not obey would be thrown into a flaming furnace. 

Daniel 3:12  Sir, you appointed three men to high positions in Babylon Province, but they have disobeyed you. Those Jews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refuse to serve your gods and worship the golden statue you have set up." 

Daniel 3:13  King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. So he sent for the three young men and said, 

Daniel 3:14  "I hear that you refuse to serve my gods and worship the golden statue I have set up. 

Daniel 3:15  Now I am going to give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue when you hear the music, everything will be all right. But if you don't, you will at once be thrown into a flaming furnace. What god can save you from my power?" 

Daniel 3:16  The three men replied, "Your Majesty, we don't need to defend ourselves before you. Our God will deliver us from the furnance and from you.

Daniel 3:17  The God we worship can save us from your power and from your flaming furnace. 

Daniel 3:18  But even if he doesn't, we still won't serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up." 

Daniel 3:19  Nebuchadnezzar's face twisted with anger at the three men. And he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. 

Daniel 3:20  Next, he commanded some of his strongest soldiers to tie up the men and throw them into the flaming furnace. 

Daniel 3:21  So the soldiers tied up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and threw them into the flaming furnace with all of their clothes still on, including their turbans and coats. 

Daniel 3:22  The fire was so hot that flames leaped out and killed the soldiers.

Daniel 3:23  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fully tied, fell into the roaring flames.

Daniel 3:24  Suddenly the king jumped up and shouted, "Weren't only three men tied up and thrown into the fire?" "Yes, Your Majesty," the people answered. 

Daniel 3:25  "But I see four men, unbound, and walking around in the fire," the king replied. "None of them is tied up or harmed, and the fourth one looks like a son of  god." 

Daniel 3:26  Nebuchadnezzar went as close as possible to the flaming furnace and said to the three young men, "You servants of the Most High God, come out at once!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the flames. 

Daniel 3:27  The king's high officials, governors, and advisors crowded around them and saw that the men were not burned, their hair wasn't scorched, and their clothes didn't even smell like smoke. 

Daniel 3:28  King Nebuchadnezzar said: Praise their God for sending an angel to rescue his servants! They trusted their God and refused to obey my commands. Yes, they chose to die rather than to worship or serve any god except their own. 

Daniel 3:29  And I won't allow people of any nation or race to say anything against their God. Anyone who does will be chopped up and their houses will be torn down, because no other god has such great power to save. 

Daniel 3:30  After this happened, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon. 

			      Daniel 4  Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision of the Tree

Daniel 4:1  King Nebuchadnezzar sent the following letter to the people of all nations and races on the earth: Greetings to all of you! 

Daniel 4:2  I am glad to tell about the wonderful signs and miracles God Most High has done for me. 

Daniel 4:3  His miracles and signs are mighty and marvelous. He will rule forever, and his kingdom will never end. 

Daniel 4:4  I was enjoying a time of peace and prosperity, 

Daniel 4:5  when suddenly I had some horrifying dreams and visions. 

Daniel 4:6  So I commanded every wise man of Babylon to appear in my court, so they could explain the meaning of my dream. 

Daniel 4:7  After the astrologers and enchanters arrived, I told them my dream, but they were not able to say what it meant. 

Daniel 4:8  Finally, a young man named Daniel came in, and I told him the dream. The holy gods had given him special powers, and I had renamed him Belteshazzar after my own god. 

Daniel 4:9  I said, "Belteshazzar, not only are you the wisest of all advisors and counselors, but the holy gods have given you special powers to solve the most difficult mysteries. So listen to what I dreamed and tell me what it means: 

Daniel 4:10  In my sleep I saw a very tall tree in the center of the world. 

Daniel 4:11  It grew stronger and higher, until it reached to heaven and could be seen from anywhere on earth. 

Daniel 4:12  It was covered with leaves and heavy with fruit for all nations to feed upon. Wild animals enjoyed its shade, birds nested in its branches.
 
Daniel 4:13  "While I was in bed, having this vision, a holy angel came down from heaven
 
Daniel 4:14  and shouted: 'Chop down the tree and cut off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Make the animals leave its shade and send the birds flying from its branches. 

Daniel 4:15  But leave its stump and roots in the ground, surrounded by grass and held by chains of iron and bronze. 'Make sure that this ruler lives like the animals out in the open fields, unprotected from the dew. 

Daniel 4:16  Give him the mind of a wild animal for seven long years. 

Daniel 4:17  This decree of judgment is given by the word of the angelic watchers to show all who live that God Most High controls all kingdoms and chooses for their rulers men of humility.' 

Daniel 4:18  "Daniel, that was the dream that none of the wise men in my kingdom were able to understand. But I am sure that you will understand what it means, because the spirit of the holy gods live within you."
 
Daniel 4:19  For a while, Daniel was confused and worried by what he was thinking. But I said, "Don't be bothered either by the dream or by what it means." Daniel replied: Your Majesty, I wish the dream had been against your enemies and not to you. 

Daniel 4:20  You saw a tree that grew so big and strong that it reached up to heaven and could be seen from anywhere upon the earth.
 
Daniel 4:21  Its leaves were beautiful, and it produced enough fruit for all living creatures; animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. 

Daniel 4:22  Your Majesty, that tree is you. Your glorious reputation has reached heaven, and your kingdom covers the earth. 

Daniel 4:23  Then you saw a watcher and holy angels come down from heaven and say, "Chop down the tree and destroy it! But leave its stump and roots in the ground, fastened there by a chain of iron and bronze. Let it stay for seven years out in the field with the wild animals, unprotected from the dew." 

Daniel 4:24  Your Majesty, God Most High has sent you this message, and it means 

Daniel 4:25  that you will be driven far away from society and forced to live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a wild animal and live outdoors for seven years, until you learn that God Most High controls all earthly kingdoms and chooses their rulers. 

Daniel 4:26  But the stump and roots shall remain in the ground. This is to show that you will be king once again, after you learn that the God who rules from the heavens is in charge. 

Daniel 4:27  Your Majesty, please be willing to do what I say. Turn from your sins and start living right; have mercy on the poor who are mistreated. Then all will go well with you for a long time. 

Daniel 4:28  About twelve months later, these things began to happen,

Daniel 4:29  I was walking on the flat roof of my royal palace,

Daniel 4:30  and admiring the beautiful city of Babylon, when these things started happening to me. I was saying to myself, "Just look at this wonderful capital city that I have built by my own power and for my own glory!" 

Daniel 4:31  But before I could finish speaking, a voice from heaven interrupted: King Nebuchadnezzar, you are no longer ruler of this kingdom.
 
Daniel 4:32  You will be driven from society to live with the wild animals. You will eat grass, like a cow, for seven years, until you learn that God Most High is in control of all earthly kingdoms and that he is the one who chooses their rulers. 

Daniel 4:33  As prophecy was fulfilled, I was forced to live like a wild animal; I ate grass and was unprotected from the dew. As time went by, my hair grew longer than eagle feathers, and my fingernails looked like the claws of a bird. 

Daniel 4:34  Finally, I prayed to God in heaven, and my mind was healed. Then I said: "I praise and honor the God Most High. He lives forever, and his kingdom will never end. 
Daniel 4:35  All the people of the nations are nothing when compared to God. He controls the army of heaven and everyone on this earth. We cannot stop or change what God does or even ask Him why." 

Daniel 4:36  At that time my mind was healed, and once again I became the ruler of my glorious kingdom. My advisors and officials returned to me, and I had greater power than ever before. 

Daniel 4:37  That's why I say: "Praise and honor the King who rules from heaven! Everything he does is honest and fair, and he can shatter the power of those who are proud." 

				Daniel 5  Belshazzar’s Sinful Celebration

Daniel 5:1  A few years later, King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his highest officials, and he drank wine with them. 

Daniel 5:2  In drunkenness, he ordered his servants to bring in the gold and silver cups his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that he and all his wives, officials, and party girls could drink from them. 

Daniel 5:3  They brought in the gold cups stolen from God’s Temple in Jerusalem and everyone drank from them. 

Daniel 5:4  Everyone at the banquet drank toasts from them praising their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. 

Daniel 5:5  Suddenly, the king could see the fingers of a human hand, just behind the lamp stand, writing on the plaster wall of the palace.

Daniel 5:6  He was so frightened that his face turned pale, his knees started shaking, and his legs became weak. 

Daniel 5:7  The king called in his astrologers and magicians of Babylon, who claimed they could talk with the spirits of the dead, and understand the meanings found in the stars. He told them, "The man who can read this writing and tell me what it means will become the third most powerful man in my kingdom. He will wear robes of royal purple and a gold chain around his neck." 

Daniel 5:8  All of King Belshazzar's wisest men came in, but not one of them could read the writing or tell what it meant, 

Daniel 5:9  and they were completely puzzled. Now the king was more afraid than ever before, and his face turned white as a ghost. 

Daniel 5:10  When the queen, Belshazzar's mother, heard the king and his officials talking, she came in and said: Your Majesty, I hope you live forever! Don't be afraid or look so pale. 

Daniel 5:11  In your kingdom there is a man who has been given special powers by the holy gods. When your father Nebuchadnezzar was king, this man was known to be as smart, intelligent, and wise as the gods themselves. Your father put him in charge of all who claimed they could talk with the spirits or understand the meanings in the stars or tell about the future. 

Daniel 5:12  He also changed the man's name from Daniel to Belteshazzar. Not only is he wise and intelligent, but he can explain dreams and riddles and solve difficult problems. Send for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means. 

Daniel 5:13  When Daniel was brought in, the king said: So you are Daniel, one of the captives my father brought back from Judah?

Daniel 5:14  I was told that the gods have given you special powers and that you are intelligent and very wise. 

Daniel 5:15  Neither my astrologers nor the enchanted men who talk with the spirits of the dead could read this writing or tell me what it means. 

Daniel 5:16  But I have been told that you understand everything and that you can solve difficult problems. Now then, if you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will become the third most powerful man in my kingdom. You will wear royal purple robes and have a gold chain around your neck. 

Daniel 5:17  Daniel answered: Your Majesty, I will read the writing and tell you what it means. But you may keep your gifts or give them to someone else. 

Daniel 5:18  Sir, the Most High God made your father, Nebuchadnezzar, a great and powerful man and brought him much honor and glory. 

Daniel 5:19  God did such great things for him that people of all nations and races shook with fear. Your father had the power of life or death over everyone, and he could honor or ruin anyone he chose. 

Daniel 5:20  But when he became proud and stubborn, his glorious kingdom was taken from him. 

Daniel 5:21  His mind became like that of an animal, and he was forced to stay away from people and live with wild donkeys. Your father ate grass like an ox, and he slept outside where his body was soaked with dew. He was forced to do this until he learned that the Most High God rules all kingdoms on earth and chooses their kings. 

Daniel 5:22  King Belshazzar, you knew all of this, but you still refuse to humble yourself and honor the Lord who rules from heaven. 

Daniel 5:23  Instead, you turned against the Lord of Heaven and ordered the cups from his temple to be brought here, so that you and your party could drink wine from them. You praised idols made of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, even though they cannot see, hear, or think. You refused to worship the God who gives you breath and controls everything you do. 

Daniel 5:24  That's why he sent the hand to write this message on the wall. 

Daniel 5:25  The words written there are Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin.

Daniel 5:26  mene means "numbered”, God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.

Daniel 5:27  tekel means "weighed", God has weighed you on the balances and you have failed the test. 

Daniel 5:28  parsin means "divided." God has divided your kingdom and given it to the Medes and Persians.

Daniel 5:29  Belshazzar gave a command for Daniel to be made the third most powerful man in his kingdom and to be given a purple robe and a gold chain. 

Daniel 5:30  That same night, the king was killed. 

Daniel 5:31  Then Darius the Mede, who was sixty-two years old, took over his kingdom. 


					Daniel 6  The Lion’s Den

 Daniel 6:1  Darius divided his kingdom into a hundred and twenty states and placed a governor in charge of each one. 

Daniel 6:2  In order to make sure that his government was run properly, Darius put three other officials in charge of the governors to supervise and observe the king’s interests. One of these officials was Daniel. 

Daniel 6:3  Daniel performed his work so much better than the other governors and officials that the king decided to let him govern the whole kingdom. 

Daniel 6:4  The other men tried to find something wrong with the way Daniel did his work for the king. But they could not accuse him of anything wrong, because he was honest, faithful, and responsible. 

Daniel 6:5  Finally, they said to one another, "We will never be able to bring any charge against Daniel, unless it has to do with his religion." 

Daniel 6:6  They all went to the king and said: Your Majesty, King Darius, we hope you live forever! 

Daniel 6:7  All of your officials, leaders, advisors, and governors agree that you should make a law forbidding anyone to pray to any god or human except you for the next thirty days. Everyone who disobeys this law must be thrown into a pit of lions. 

Daniel 6:8  Order this to be written and then sign it, so it cannot be changed, just as no written law of the Medes and Persians can be changed." 

Daniel 6:9  So King Darius wrote and signed the law. 

Daniel 6:10  Daniel heard about the law, but when he returned home, he went upstairs and prayed in front of the window that faced Jerusalem. In the same way that he had always done, he knelt down in prayer three times a day, giving thanks to God. 

Daniel 6:11  The men who had spoken to the king watched Daniel and saw him praying to his God for help. 

Daniel 6:12  They went back to the king and said, "Didn't you make a law that forbids anyone to pray to any god or human except you for the next thirty days? And doesn't the law say that everyone who disobeys it will be thrown into a pit of lions?" "Yes, that's the law I made," the king agreed. "And just like all written laws of the Medes and Persians, it cannot be changed." 

Daniel 6:13  The men then told the king, "That Jew named Daniel, who was brought here as a captive, refuses to obey you or the law that you ordered to be written. And he still prays to his god three times a day." 

Daniel 6:14  The king was really upset to hear about this, and for the rest of the day he tried to think how he could save Daniel. 

Daniel 6:15  At sunset the men returned and said, "Your Majesty, remember that no written law of the Medes and Persians can be changed, not even by the king." 

Daniel 6:16  So Darius ordered Daniel to be brought out and thrown into a pit of lions. But he said to Daniel, "You have been faithful to worship your God, and I pray that he will rescue you." 

Daniel 6:17  A stone was rolled over the pit, and it was sealed. Then Darius and his officials stamped the seal to show that no one should let Daniel out. 

Daniel 6:18  All night long the king could not sleep. He did not eat anything, and he would not let anyone come in to entertain him. 

Daniel 6:19  At daybreak the king got up and ran to the pit. 

Daniel 6:20  He was anxious and shouted, "Daniel, you were faithful and served your God. Was he able to save you from the lions?" 

Daniel 6:21  Daniel answered, "Your Majesty, I hope you live forever! 

Daniel 6:22  My God knew that I was innocent, and he sent an angel to keep the lions from eating me. Your Majesty, I have never done anything to hurt you." 

Daniel 6:23  The king was relieved to hear Daniel's voice, and he gave orders for him to be taken out of the pit. Daniel's faith in his God had kept him from being harmed. 

Daniel 6:24  And the king ordered the men who had brought charges against Daniel to be thrown into the pit, together with their wives and children. But before they even reached the bottom, the lions ripped them to pieces. 

Daniel 6:25  King Darius then sent this message to all people of every nation and race in the world: "Greetings to all of you! 

Daniel 6:26  I command everyone in my kingdom to worship and honor the God of Daniel. He is the living God, the one who lives forever. His power and his kingdom will never be destroyed. 

Daniel 6:27  He rescues people and sets them free by working great miracles. He performs miraculous signs and wonders. Daniel's God has rescued him from the power of the lions." 
Daniel 6:28  Daniel prospered while Darius was king, and even when Cyrus the Persian ruled. 

				     Daniel 7  Vision of the 4 Beasts

Daniel 7:1  In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylonia, Daniel was in bed and had a dream. He saw visions and wrote them down. Daniel wrote:

Daniel 7:2  In my vision, the four winds blew a storm stirring up the mighty sea. 

Daniel 7:3  Suddenly, four powerful beasts came out of the sea. Each beast was different from the other. 

Daniel 7:4  The first beast was like a lion with the wings of an eagle. I watched its wings being pulled off and made to stand on two feet, just like a human, then it was given a human mind. 

Daniel 7:5  The second beast looked like a bear standing on its hind legs. It held three ribs in its teeth, and it was told, "Get up and devour many people." 

Daniel 7:6  The third beast was like a leopard with four bird wings and four heads. It was given authority to rule. 

Daniel 7:7  The fourth beast in my vision was different, stronger, and more terrifying than the others. Its huge iron teeth crushed its victims and smashed them with its feet. It had ten horns on its head.
 
Daniel 7:8  As I was looking about these horns, a smaller horn appeared, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had two eyes of a human and a mouth boasting great arrogance and pride. 

Daniel 7:9  Thrones were set up and the Eternal God, the Ancient of Days, took his place to judge. His clothing and hair were white as snow and wool. His fiery throne had wheels of blazing fire
 
Daniel 7:10  and flames were rushing out from all around him. Millions of angels were around him to serve him and millions of people stood before him. The time of judgment began and the books were opened. 

Daniel 7:11  I watched the little horn boast of arrogant things before everyone. Suddenly, the fourth beast was killed and its body destroyed by fire. 

Daniel 7:12  The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer. 

Daniel 7:13  As I continued to watch the vision that night, I saw what looked like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He was presented to the Eternal God, the Ancient of Days. 

Daniel 7:14  He was crowned king and given authority, power, honor, and glory, so that all people of every nation, race, and language would serve him. He will rule forever, and his eternal kingdom will never be destroyed.
 
Daniel 7:15  Daniel wrote: I was terrified by these visions and I didn't know what to think. 

Daniel 7:16  So I asked one standing by the throne and he explained, 

Daniel 7:17  "The four beasts are four earthly kingdoms. 

Daniel 7:18  But God Most High will give his kingdom to his holy people, and it will be theirs forever and ever." 

Daniel 7:19  I wanted to know more about the fourth beast, because it was so different and more terrifying than the others. What was the meaning of its iron teeth and bronze claws and of its feet that smashed victims with what the teeth and claws had not ground and crushed? 

Daniel 7:20  I also wanted to know more about all ten horns on its head, especially the little horn that took the place of first three horns for it had two eyes and boasted with arrogance and seemed greater than the others. 

Daniel 7:21  Suddenly, this little horn attacked God's holy ones and was winning the battle. 

Daniel 7:22  Then God Most High, the Eternal God, the Ancient of Days, rose up and judged in favor of his holy ones, because the time had arrived for them to possess the kingdom. 

Daniel 7:23  Then I was told by the one standing there: "The fourth beast will be a fourth powerful earthly kingdom. It will be different from all the others for it will devour, trample, and crush the earth to pieces. 

Daniel 7:24  The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom, then one more will follow. This little horn will be different from the others and will conquer three other kings. 

Daniel 7:25  "This king will speak evil of God Most High, and he will persecute God's holy people. He will try to change God's Law and the sacred seasons. And he will be able to do this for three and a half years.
 
Daniel 7:26  But God’s court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and his kingdom completely destroyed. 

Daniel 7:27  "Then the greatest and most powerful kingdom of all will be given to the holy ones of God Most High. His kingdom will be eternal, and all rulers will serve and obey him." 
Daniel 7:28  That was the end of the vision and I turned pale with fear and kept it all to myself. 

				 Daniel 8  The Ram, Goat, and Little Horn
		
Daniel 8:1  Daniel wrote: In the third year of King Belshazzar of Babylonia, I had a second vision 

Daniel 8:2   I was at a fortress in Susa, the chief city of Babylonia's Elam Province. I was beside the Ulai River

Daniel 8:3  I looked up and saw a ram standing there with two long horns on its head, the second horn was longer than the first even though it grew last. 

Daniel 8:4  The ram went charging towards the west, the north, and the south. No one  was strong enough to oppose him, and nothing could save victims from his power. He did as he pleased and became more powerful.
 
Daniel 8:5  Suddenly a male goat come from the west swiftly charging across the entire earth without even touching the ground. Between his eyes was a powerful horn, 

Daniel 8:6  and the goat started towards the ram beside the Ulai river. 

Daniel 8:7  The goat was so fierce that its attack broke both horns of the ram, leaving him powerless. Then the goat stomped on the ram, and no one could do anything to help. 

Daniel 8:8  Now the goat became more powerful. But at the peak of his power, his mighty horn was broken off, and four other mighty horns grew in its place--one pointing to the north and one to the east, one to the south and one to the west. 

Daniel 8:9  A little horn became great from one of these, and its power reached to the south, the east, and even to the holy land of Israel. 

Daniel 8:10  He became so strong that he attacked the stars of heaven’s army in the sky and hurled some of the beings down to the earth and stomped on them. 

Daniel 8:11  He challenged heaven's army and dishonored its leader by keeping him from offering the daily sacrifices. He disgraced the temple and wiped out true worship. 

Daniel 8:12  The army of heaven was restrained from destroying him for his sin and he brought disgrace in the temple, truth was turned into a lie, and the horn was successful in his conquests.

Daniel 8:13  Then one of the two holy angels asked another, "When will the daily sacrifices be offered again? What about this horrible rebellion? When will the temple and heaven's army no longer be trampled in the dust?" 
Daniel 8:14  The other answered, "It will be six years before the temple is cleansed, rededicated and in use again." 

Daniel 8:15  Daniel wrote: I was trying to figure out the meaning of the vision, when someone suddenly appeared there beside me. 

Daniel 8:16  And from beside the Ulai River, a voice like that of a human said, "Gabriel, tell him the understanding to the vision." 

Daniel 8:17  Gabriel came over, and I fell to the ground in fear. Then he said, "You are merely a human, but you need to understand that this vision is about the very end of time." 

Daniel 8:18  While he was speaking, I fainted and Gabriel lifted me up to my feet 

Daniel 8:19  and said: Listen, and I will tell you what will happen at the end of time when God has chosen to show his anger. 

Daniel 8:20  The two horns of the ram are the kings of Media and Persia.

Daniel 8:21  The goat is the kingdom of Greece, and the powerful horn between his eyes is the first king of the Greek empire. 

Daniel 8:22  After this horn is broken, four other kingdoms will appear but they won't be as strong as the first king. 

Daniel 8:23  When these rulers have become as evil as possible, their power will end and be replaced by a fierce king who is danielgerous and cannot be trusted.
 
Daniel 8:24  He will gain strength, but not by his own power, and he will cause terrible destruction and do anything he pleases. He will wipe out powerful leaders and devastate God's holy people.
 
Daniel 8:25  He will succeed as a master of deception defeating others quickly through trickery. He will even attack God himself but this will break him.

Daniel 8:26  This vision about the six years is true but won't happen for a very long time, so keep it a secret for now. 

Daniel 8:27  After this, I was so worn out and weak that it was several days before I could get out of bed and go about my duties for the king. I was disturbed by this vision and could not understand it.
				
				      Daniel 9  70 Weeks of Years

Daniel 9:1  Daniel wrote: Some years later, Darius the Mede, the son of Xerxes, had become king of Babylonia. 

Daniel 9:2  And during his first year as king, I found out from studying the writings of the prophets that the LORD had said to Jeremiah, "Jerusalem will lie in ruins for seventy years."

Daniel 9:3  So, I dressed in sackcloth, sat in ashes, prayed, and fasted. 

Daniel 9:4  I confessed my sins and earnestly prayed to the LORD my God: “Our Lord, you are a great and fearsome God, and you faithfully keep your agreement with those who love and obey you”. 

Daniel 9:5  But we have sinned wickedly by rebelling against you and rejecting your laws and teachings. 

Daniel 9:6  We have ignored the message your servants the prophets spoke to our kings, leaders, ancestors, and everyone else. 

Daniel 9:7  Everything you do is right, our Lord. But still we suffer public disgrace because we have been unfaithful and have sinned against you. This includes all of us, both far and near, the people of Judah, Jerusalem, and Israel, as well as those you scattered away to foreign lands, 

Daniel 9:8  we are shameful, along with our kings, officials, and ancestors, because we have sinned against you. 

Daniel 9:9  LORD God, you are merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against you 

Daniel 9:10  We have not obeyed the voice of your teachings and laws that came to us from your servants the prophets. 

Daniel 9:11  Everyone in Israel has stubbornly, in sin, turned away from you, rejected your voice, and refused to obey your laws, and so those curses written in the law, by your servant Moses, have fallen upon us. 

Daniel 9:12  You warned us, and our leaders, that Jerusalem would suffer the worst disaster in human history, and you confirmed exactly as you had threatened. 

Daniel 9:13  We have not escaped any of the terrible curses written by Moses, and yet we have refused to seek your mercy, by turning from our evil, and understanding your truths.

Daniel 9:14  And you finally punished us with this horrible disaster, which was the right thing to do, because we disobeyed you. 

Daniel 9:15  Our Lord God, with your own mighty arm you rescued us from Egypt and made yourself famous to this very day, but we have sinned wickedly. 

Daniel 9:16  According to your faithful mercy, we beg you to turn your anger from Jerusalem, for it is your chosen city built on your holy mountain, and has suffered public disgrace because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors. 

Daniel 9:17  Hear the prayer of your servant, Lord God, answer my prayers and bring honor to yourself by having pity on your temple that lies in ruins. 

Daniel 9:18  Hear and see our devastation and have mercy upon your chosen city, not because we deserve it, but because of your great kindness. 

Daniel 9:19  Forgive us! Hurry and do something, not only for your city and your chosen people, but to bring honor to yourself. 

Daniel 9:20  I was still confessing my sins and those of all Israel to the LORD my God, and I was praying for the good of his holy mountain, 

Daniel 9:21  when Gabriel suddenly came flying in at the time of the evening sacrifice. This was the same Gabriel I had seen in my vision, 

Daniel 9:22  and he explained: “Daniel, I am here to help you understand the vision”.
 
Daniel 9:23  “God loves you and thinks highly of you, and at the very moment you started praying, I was sent to give you the answer to understanding the vision. 

Daniel 9:24  God has decided that for seventy weeks, your people and your holy city must endure to finish rebellion, atone for guilt, and make an end to sin. Then evil will disappear, and justice and righteousness will rule forever; the visions and words of the prophets will come true, and a most holy place will be dedicated. 

Daniel 9:25  It will be seven weeks and another sixty-two weeks from the command to rebuild Jerusalem until the coming of the Anointed Messiah. The streets, and the walls will be built in Jerusalem, but these will be very difficult times. 

Daniel 9:26  At the end of the sixty-two weeks, the Anointed Messiah will be killed and seem to be left with nothing. A foreign ruler and his army will sweep down like a mighty flood, leaving both the city and the temple in ruins, and war and destruction will continue until the end, just as God has decided. 

Daniel 9:27  For one week this foreigner will make a firm agreement with the people, and halfway through this week, he will end all sacrifices and offerings. Then the "Abomination of Desolation- (statue of destruction)" will be set in the temple. It will remain there until the time God has decided to destroy this one who destroys. 


				      Daniel 10  The Angelic Visitor

Daniel 10:1  In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia, God revealed a vision of future wars and troubles to Daniel. 

Daniel 10:2  Daniel wrote: I was in sorrow for three weeks when this vision arrived. 

Daniel 10:3  I ate no fancy food or meat, I drank no wine, and I put no olive oil on my face or hair. 

Daniel 10:4  On April 23, I was standing on the banks of the great Tigris River, 

Daniel 10:5  I looked up and saw someone dressed in linen and wearing a solid gold belt. 

Daniel 10:6  His body was like a shining stone, his face flashing like lightning, his eyes like flaming fires, his arms and legs shone like polished bronze, and his voice like the roar of a crowd. 

Daniel 10:7  Although the people who were with me did not see the vision, they became so frightened that they scattered and hid. 

Daniel 10:8  Left alone, I saw this great vision and became weak and pale, 

Daniel 10:9  at the sound of his voice, I fainted face down upon the ground. 

Daniel 10:10  a hand touched me and he raised me to my trembling hands and knees 

Daniel 10:11  and said, "Daniel, your God thinks highly of you, and he has sent me. So stand up and pay close attention." I stood trembling, while the angel said: 

Daniel 10:12  Daniel, don't be afraid! God has listened to your prayers since the first day you humbly asked for understanding, and he has sent me here for your answers. 

Daniel 10:13  But the guardian angel of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, who is one of the highest guardian angels, came to rescue me from the kings of Persia. 

Daniel 10:14  Now I have come here to give you another vision about what will happen to your people in the future. 

Daniel 10:15  While he was speaking to me, I stared at the ground, speechless. 

Daniel 10:16  Then he appeared in human form and touched my lips. I said, "Sir, this vision has brought me great pain and has drained my strength. 

Daniel 10:17  I am merely your servant. How can I possibly speak with someone so powerful, when I am almost too weak to get my breath?" 

Daniel 10:18  He touched me a second time to strengthen me and said, 

Daniel 10:19  "Don't be frightened! Peace be with you. God thinks highly of you and loves you, and he intends this for your good, so be brave and strong." 
     As I regained my strength I replied, "Please speak! You have already made me feel much better." 
  
Daniel 10:20  Then he said: Do you understand why I have come to you? Soon I must leave to fight once again against the guardian angel of Persia. Then after I have defeated him, the guardian angel of Greece will attack me. 

Daniel 10:21  I will now tell you what is written in The Book of Truth. But first, you must realize that no one except Michael, the guardian angel of Israel, is on my side. 

			       Daniel 11  Future Nations and Antichrist

Daniel 11:1  You also need to know that I, along with Michael, protected and strengthened Darius the Mede in his first year as king. 

Daniel 11:2  What I am going to tell you is certain to happen. Four kings will rule Persia, one after the other, but the fourth one will become much richer than the others. In fact, his wealth will make him so powerful that he will turn everyone against the kingdom of Greece. 

Daniel 11:3  Then a mighty king will come to power and will be able to do whatever he pleases. 

Daniel 11:4  But suddenly his kingdom will be broken, uprooted, and divided towards the four corners of the earth where four more kingdoms will rise up. But these kingdoms won't be ruled by his descendanielts or be as powerful as his kingdom. 

Daniel 11:5  The king of the south will grow powerful and one of his generals will rebel and take over most of the kingdom. 

Daniel 11:6  Years later the southern kingdom and the northern kingdom will make a treaty, and the daughter of the king of the south will marry the king of the north. But she will lose her power. Then she, her husband, their child, and the servants who came with her will all be killed. 

Daniel 11:7  But one of her relatives will become the ruler of the southern kingdom. He will attack the army of the northern kingdom and capture its fortresses. 

Daniel 11:8  Then he will carry their idols to Egypt, together with their precious treasures of silver and gold, but it will be a long time before he attacks the northern kingdom again. Some years later 

Daniel 11:9  the king of the north will invade the southern kingdom, but he will be forced back to his own country. 

Daniel 11:10  The sons of the king of the north will gather a huge army that will sweep down like a roaring flood, reaching all the way to the fortress of the southern kingdom. 

Daniel 11:11  But this will make the king of the south angry, and he will defeat this large army from the north. 

Daniel 11:12  The king of the south will feel proud because of the many thousands he has killed. But his victories won't last long, 

Daniel 11:13  because the king of the north will gather a larger and more powerful army than ever before. Then in a few years, he will start invading other countries. 
Daniel 11:14  At this time many of your own people will try to make this vision come true by rebelling against the king of the south, but their rebellion will fail. 

Daniel 11:15  Then the army from the north will surround and capture a fortress in the south, and not even the most experienced troops of the southern kingdom will be able to make them retreat. 

Daniel 11:16  The king who invaded from the north will do as he pleases, and he will even capture and destroy the holy land. 

Daniel 11:17  In fact, he will decide to invade the south with his entire army. Then he will attempt to make peace by giving the king of the south a bride from the northern kingdom, but this won't be successful. 

Daniel 11:18  Afterwards, this proud king of the north will invade and conquer many of the nations along the coast, but a military leader will defeat him and make him lose his pride. 

Daniel 11:19  He will retreat to his fortresses in his own country, but on the way he will be defeated, never to be seen again. 

Daniel 11:20  The next king of the north will try to collect taxes for the glory of his kingdom. But, in a few days, he will come to a sudden end in some mysterious way, instead of in battle or because of someone's anger. 

Daniel 11:21  The successor of this king of the north will be a worthless nobody, who doesn't come from a royal family. He will suddenly appear and gain control of the kingdom by treachery. 

Daniel 11:22  He will destroy armies and remove God's chosen high priest of the covenant. 

Daniel 11:23  He will make a treaty, but he will be deceitful and break it, even though he has only a few followers. 

Daniel 11:24  Without warning, he will successfully invade a wealthy province, which is something his ancestors never did. And he will divide among his followers all of its treasures and property. But none of this will last very long. 

Daniel 11:25  He will gather a large and powerful army, and with great courage he will attack the king of the south. The king of the south will meet him with a much stronger army, but he will lose the battle, because he will be betrayed
 
Daniel 11:26  by members of his royal court. He will be ruined, and most of his army will be slaughtered. 

Daniel 11:27  The two evil kings will meet around a table and tell evil lies to each other. But their plans will fail, because God has already decided what will happen. 
Daniel 11:28  Then the king of the north will return to his country with great treasures. But on the way, he will attack God's people of the holy covenant.
 
Daniel 11:29  At the time God has decided, the king of the north will invade the southern kingdom again, but this time, things will be different. 

Daniel 11:30  Ships from the west (Cyprus) will come to attack him, and he will be discouraged. He will start back to his own country and take out his anger on God's faithful people of the holy covenant, while showing kindness to those who are unfaithful. 

Daniel 11:31  He will send troops to pollute the temple sanctuary and the fortress, and he will stop the daily sacrifices and set up there the "Abomination of Desolation".
 
Daniel 11:32  The king will use deceit to win followers from those who are unfaithful to God, but those who remain faithful and know God’s strength will do everything possible to oppose him. 

Daniel 11:33  Wise leaders will instruct many of the people. But some of these leaders will be killed with swords, burned alive, robbed of their possessions and thrown into prison. 

Daniel 11:34  They will receive little help in their time of trouble, and many of their followers will be treacherous. 

Daniel 11:35  Some of those who are wise will suffer, for God will make them pure and acceptable until the end, which will arrive at the time he has decided. 

Daniel 11:36  This king will do as he pleases. He will proudly claim to be greater than any god and will insult the only true God. He will be successful until God is no longer angry with his people. 

Daniel 11:37  This king will reject the gods of his ancestors and the desire for women. He will put himself above all gods 

Daniel 11:38  and worship only the god of forces, who was unknown to his ancestors. And he will honor it with gold, silver, precious stones, and other costly gifts. 

Daniel 11:39  With the help of this foreign god, he will capture the strongest fortresses. Everyone who worships this god will be put in a position of power and rewarded with wealth and land. 

Daniel 11:40  At the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the kingdom of the north. But the northern king will rush out like a storm with war chariots, cavalry, and many ships. Indeed, his forces will flood one country after another, 

Daniel 11:41  and when they reach the holy land, tens of thousands will be killed. But the countries of Edom and Moab and the royal people of Ammon will escape. 
Daniel 11:42  The king of the north will invade many countries, including Egypt, 

Daniel 11:43  and he will take its rich treasures of gold and silver. He will also conquer Libya and Ethiopia. 

Daniel 11:44  But he will be alarmed by news from the east and the north, and he will become furious and cause great destruction upon others.
 
Daniel 11:45  After this, he will set up camp between the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Zion. Then he will be destroyed, and no one will help him. 

				        Daniel 12  Future Israel

Daniel 12:1  Michael, the chief of the angels, is the protector of your people, and he will come at a time of terrible suffering, the worst in all of history. And your people, who have their names written in The Book of Life, will be protected. 

Daniel 12:2  Many of those, who lie dead in the ground, will rise from death. Some of them will be given eternal life, and others will receive eternal shame and disgrace. 

Daniel 12:3  Those who have been wise will shine as bright as the sky above, and those who have led others to live righteous for God will forever will shine like stars. 

Daniel 12:4  Daniel, I now command you to preserve this book until the end of time, for many people will travel everywhere searching for the knowledge found in it. 

Daniel 12:5  Daniel wrote: I looked around and saw two other people, one on each side of the river. 

Daniel 12:6  The angel who had spoken to me was dressed in linen and was standing upstream from them. One of the two beside the river asked him, "How long before these amazing things will happen?" 

Daniel 12:7  The angel then raised both hands toward heaven and said, "In the name of the God who lives forever, I solemnly promise that it will be a final three and one half years when the scattering of God's holy people will finally end and all these things shall be finished." 

Daniel 12:8  I heard what the angel said, but I didn't understand. So I asked, "Sir, how will it all end?" The angel in my vision then replied: 

Daniel 12:9  Daniel, go about your business, because the meaning of this message will remain secret until the end of time. 

Daniel 12:10  Many people will have their hearts and lives made pure and clean, but those who are evil will keep on being evil and never understand. Only the wise will understand. 

Daniel 12:11  There will be one thousand two hundred ninety days of the prevention of daily sacrifices and someone replaces it with the statue of the "Abomination of Desolation". 

Daniel 12:12  God will bless everyone who patiently waits until one thousand three hundred thirty-five days have gone by. 

Daniel 12:13  So, Daniel, be faithful until the end! You will rest, and at the end of these days, you will rise from death to receive your inheritance.