Daniel 2:18-23

2:18 He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he ¹  and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 2:19 Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised ²  the God of heaven, 2:20 saying, ³ 

“Let the name of God ⁴  be praised ⁵  forever and ever,

for wisdom and power belong to him.

2:21 He changes times and seasons,

deposing some kings

and establishing others. ⁶ 

He gives wisdom to the wise;

he imparts knowledge to those with understanding; ⁷ 

2:22 he reveals deep and hidden things.

He knows what is in the darkness,

and light resides with him.

2:23 O God of my fathers, I acknowledge and glorify you,

for you have bestowed wisdom and power on me.

Now you have enabled me to understand what I ⁸  requested from you.

For you have enabled me to understand the king’s dilemma.” ⁹ 

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¹ tn Aram “Daniel.” The proper name is redundant here in English, and has not been included in the translation.

² tn Or “blessed.”

³ tn Aram “Daniel answered and said.”

⁴ sn As is often the case in the Bible, here the name represents the person.

⁵ tn Or “blessed.”

⁶ tn Aram “kings.”

⁷ tn Aram “the knowers of understanding.”

⁸ tn Aram “we.” Various explanations have been offered for the plural, but it is probably best understood as the editorial plural; so also with “me” later in this verse.

⁹ tn Aram “the word of the king.”