Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Here is the rewritten chapter:

In the second year of King Nebuchadnezzar's reign, he had a disturbing dream that left him unable to sleep. The king ordered his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to reveal to him the meaning behind his dreams. They came before the king, speaking in Aramaic, and said, "O King, live forever! Tell your servants the dream you had, and we'll show its interpretation."

But if they failed to do so, the king threatened to have them cut into pieces and their homes reduced to a dunghill. If, however, they could reveal the dream and its meaning, he would reward them with gifts, honors, and great praise.

The Chaldeans replied that it was impossible for anyone on earth to reveal the king's secret; no one had ever asked such things before, not even other kings or rulers. They insisted that only the gods, whose dwelling is not among mortals, could possibly know the answer.

The king became angry and furious, ordering that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. A decree was issued to kill them, and Daniel and his companions were among those sought for execution.

Daniel's friend Arioch, captain of the king's guard, had been instructed to carry out this task. But Daniel, with counsel and wisdom, approached Arioch and asked why the decree was so urgent from the king. When Arioch explained the situation, Daniel requested that the king grant him time to reveal the interpretation.

Daniel went home and shared his request with his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, asking them to seek mercy from God concerning this secret. That night, Daniel received a vision from God, after which he blessed the God of heaven, saying:

"Blessed be your name forever and ever; for wisdom and might are yours. You change times and seasons, removing kings and setting up others, giving wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who understand."

Daniel then revealed to Arioch that he would not destroy the wise men of Babylon but would bring Daniel before the king to show him the interpretation.

The king asked Daniel if he could reveal the dream and its meaning. Daniel replied that no one could interpret the secret by their own wisdom, but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets and has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will come to pass in the future.

Daniel then described the vision of the great image with a golden head, silver breast and arms, bronze belly and thighs, iron legs, and feet part iron and part clay. A stone cut from the mountain without human hands struck the image on its feet, breaking them into pieces. The entire image was shattered like chaff carried away by the wind, with no place found for it.

This is the dream that Daniel would now reveal to the king:

"You, O King, are a great king of kings because God has given you a kingdom, power, and strength. You have dominion over all human beings and creatures on earth, with authority to rule over everything. You are that golden head."

Another kingdom will rise after yours, inferior to yours; a third kingdom of bronze will rule over the entire earth. The fourth kingdom will be strong like iron, crushing and subduing everything it encounters.

But the feet of this kingdom, part iron and part clay, indicate that it will be divided, with some parts strong and others fragile. This division will lead to a mixture of people from different backgrounds, but they won't hold together, just as iron isn't mixed with clay.

In those days, God will establish a kingdom that shall never be destroyed; it shall not be left to other nations, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms. This kingdom will stand forever.

The great God has made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter, and the dream is certain, with its interpretation sure.

King Nebuchadnezzar fell before Daniel, worshiping him and ordering sacrifices and fragrant incense to be offered in his honor. The king declared that Daniel's God was a God of gods and Lord of kings, who reveals secrets.

Daniel's wisdom impressed the king so much that he made Daniel a great man, giving him many gifts and appointing him ruler over the entire province of Babylon with authority over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel requested the king to also make Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego rulers in the province, but Daniel himself sat at the king's gate, overseeing the affairs of the kingdom.