"Now thisis the inscriptionthat was writtenout: 'MENE,MENE,TEKEL,UPHARSIN.'
Then a lettercameto him from Elijahthe prophetsaying,"Thussaysthe LORDGodof your fatherDavid,'Becauseyou have not walkedin the waysof Jehoshaphatyour fatherand the waysof Asakingof Judah,
Your pomp[and] the musicof your harpsHave been broughtdownto Sheol;Maggotsare spreadout [as your bed] beneathyou And wormsare your covering.'
"But evilwill comeon you Which you will not knowhow to charmaway;And disasterwill fallon you For which you cannotatone;And destructionabout which you do not knowWill comeon you suddenly.
"Allthe nationsshall servehim and his sonand his grandsonuntilthe timeof his own landcomes;then manynationsand greatkingswill makehim their servant.
"Thenthe handwas sentfrom Him and thisinscriptionwas writtenout.
"Thisis the interpretationof the message:'MENE--Godhas numberedyour kingdomand putan endto it.
"Will not your creditorsriseup suddenly,And those who collectfrom you awaken?Indeed, you will becomeplunderfor them.
"He has donemighty deedswith His arm;He has scattered[those who were] proudin the thoughtsof their heart.
"But Godsaidto him, 'You fool!This[very] nightyour soulis requiredof you; and [now] whowill own whatyou have prepared?'
"Moreover the LORDwill alsogiveover Israelalongwith you into the handsof the Philistines,therefore tomorrowyou and your sonswill be with me. Indeedthe LORDwill giveover the armyof Israelinto the handsof the Philistines!"
