In the thirdyearof Cyruskingof Persiaa messagewas revealedto Daniel,whowas namedBelteshazzar;and the messagewas true and [one of] greatconflict,but he understoodthe messageand had an understandingof the vision.
"Now as for the repeatingof the dreamto Pharaohtwice,[it means] that the matteris determinedby God,and Godwill quicklybringit about.
Now in the firstyearof Cyruskingof Persia--in order to fulfillthe wordof the LORDby the mouthof Jeremiah--the LORDstirredup the spiritof Cyruskingof Persia,so that he senta proclamationthroughouthis kingdom,and also[put it] in writing,saying,
Then they gavemoneyto the masonsand carpenters,and food,drinkand oilto the Sidoniansand to the Tyrians,to bringcedarwoodfrom Lebanonto the seaat Joppa,according to the permissionthey had from Cyruskingof Persia.
But Zerubbabeland Jeshuaand the restof the headsof fathers'[households] of Israelsaidto them, "You have nothingin common with us in buildinga houseto our God;but we ourselveswill togetherbuildto the LORDGodof Israel,as KingCyrus,the kingof Persiahas commandedus."
and hiredcounselorsagainstthem to frustratetheir counselallthe daysof Cyruskingof Persia,even untilthe reignof Dariuskingof Persia.
And the eldersof the Jewswere successfulin buildingthrough the prophesyingof Haggaithe prophetand Zechariahthe sonof Iddo.And they finishedbuildingaccordingto the commandof the Godof Israeland the decreeof Cyrus,Darius,and Artaxerxeskingof Persia.
"In the firstyearof KingCyrus,Cyrusthe kingissueda decree:'[Concerning] the houseof Godat Jerusalem,let the temple,the placewheresacrificesare offered,be rebuiltand let its foundationsbe retained,its heightbeing 60cubitsand its width60cubits;
"[It is I] who saysof Cyrus,'[He is] My shepherd!And he will performallMy desire.'And he declaresof Jerusalem,She will be built,'And of the temple,Your foundationwill be laid.'"
As for thesefouryouths,Godgavethem knowledgeand intelligencein every[branch of] literatureand wisdom;Danieleven understoodall[kinds of] visionsand dreams.
And Danielcontinueduntilthe firstyearof Cyrusthe king.
Then the commanderof the officialsassigned[new] namesto them; and to Danielhe assigned[the name] Belteshazzar,to HananiahShadrach,to MishaelMeshachand to AzariahAbed-nego.
"Now I have cometo giveyou an understandingof whatwill happento your peoplein the latterdays,for the visionpertains to the daysyet[future]."
"And nowI will tellyou the truth.Behold,threemorekingsare going to arisein Persia.Then a fourthwill gainfarmorerichesthanall[of them]; as soon as he becomes strongthrough his riches,he will arousethe whole[empire] against the realmof Greece.
"But as for you, Daniel,concealthese wordsand sealup the bookuntilthe endof time;manywill gobackand forth,and knowledgewill increase."
He said,"Go[your way], Daniel,for [these] wordsare concealedand sealedup untilthe endtime.
"It is He who changesthe timesand the epochs;He removeskingsand establisheskings;He giveswisdomto wisemenAnd knowledgeto men of understanding.
"But finallyDanielcamein beforeme, whosenameis Belteshazzaraccording to the nameof my god,and in whomis a spiritof the holygods;and I relatedthe dreamto him, [saying],
"[This was] becausean extraordinaryspirit,knowledgeand insight,interpretationof dreams,explanationof enigmasand solvingof difficultproblemswere foundin this Daniel,whomthe kingnamedBelteshazzar.Let Danielnowbe summonedand he will declarethe interpretation."
ThenDanielansweredand saidbeforethe king,"Keep your giftsfor yourself or giveyour rewardsto someoneelse;however,I will readthe inscriptionto the kingand makethe interpretationknownto him.
So thisDanielenjoyedsuccessin the reignof Dariusand in the reignof Cyrusthe Persian.
And I heardthe voiceof a manbetween[the banks of] Ulai,and he calledout and said,"Gabriel,givethis[man] an understandingof the vision."
"The visionof the eveningsand morningsWhichhas been toldis true;But keepthe visionsecret,For [it] pertains to manydays[in the future]."
"And behold,you shall be silentand unableto speakuntilthe daywhenthese thingstake place,becauseyou did not believemy words,whichwill be fulfilledin their proper time."
Thenhe saidto me, "Write,Blessedare thosewho are invitedto the marriagesupperof the Lamb.'"And he saidto me, "Theseare true wordsof God."
