15. He asked the king's officer, "Why did Nebuchadnezzar give a terrible order like that?" Then Arioch explained to Daniel what was going on.
16. When Daniel heard that, he went to the king. He told him he would explain the dream to him. But he needed more time.
17. Then Daniel returned to his house. He explained everything to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
18. He asked them to pray that the God of heaven would give him mercy. He wanted God to help him understand the mystery of the king's dream. Then he and his friends wouldn't be killed along with the other wise men in Babylon.
19. During that night, God gave Daniel a vision. He showed him what the mystery was all about. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.
20. He said, "May God be praised for ever and ever! He is wise and powerful.
21. He changes times and seasons. He sets up kings. He removes them from power. The wisdom of those who are wise comes from him. He gives knowledge to those who have understanding.
22. He explains deep and hidden things. He knows what happens in the darkest places. And where he is, everything is light.
23. God of my people, I thank and praise you. You have given me wisdom and power. You have made known to me what we asked you for. You have shown us the king's dream."
24. Then Daniel went to Arioch. The king had appointed him to put the wise men of Babylon to death. Daniel said to him, "Don't kill the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king. I'll tell him what his dream means."
25. So Arioch took Daniel to the king at once. Arioch said, "I have found a man among those you brought here from Judah. He can tell you what your dream means."
26. Nebuchadnezzar spoke to Daniel, who was also called Belteshazzar. The king asked him, "Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream? And can you tell me what it means?"
27. Daniel replied, "You have asked us to explain a mystery to you. But no wise man can do that. And those who try to figure things out by using magic can't do it either.
28. "But there is a God in heaven who can explain mysteries. Nebuchadnezzar, he has shown you what is going to happen. Here is what you dreamed. And here are the visions that passed through your mind while you were lying on your bed.
29. "My king, while you were still in bed your mind thought about things that haven't happened yet. The One who explains mysteries showed those things to you.
30. "Now the mystery has been explained to me. But it isn't because I have greater wisdom than anyone else. It's because God wants you to know what the mystery means, my king. He wants you to understand what went through your mind.
31. "King Nebuchadnezzar, you looked up and saw a large statue standing in front of you. It was huge. It shone brightly. And it terrified you.
32. The head of the statue was made out of pure gold. Its chest and arms were made of silver. Its stomach and thighs were bronze.