1. In the second year of his reign, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which left his spirit no rest and robbed him of his sleep.
2. So he ordered that the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans be summoned to interpret the dream for him. When they came and presented themselves to the king,
3. he said to them, “I had a dream which will allow my spirit no rest until I know what it means.”
4. The Chaldeans answered the king in Aramaic: “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream and we will give its meaning.”
5. The king answered the Chaldeans, “This is what I have decided: unless you tell me the dream and its meaning, you shall be cut to pieces and your houses made into a refuse heap.
6. But if you tell me the dream and its meaning, you shall receive from me gifts and presents and great honors. Therefore tell me the dream and its meaning.”
7. Again they answered, “Let the king tell his servants the dream and we will give its meaning.”
8. But the king replied: “I know for certain that you are bargaining for time, since you know what I have decided.
9. If you do not tell me the dream, there can be but one decree for you. You have conspired to present a false and deceitful interpretation to me until the crisis is past. Tell me the dream, therefore, that I may be sure that you can also give its correct interpretation.”