WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE

DANIEL 5:1-31

      In this chapter Daniel told the account of the judgment of God upon a king–Belshazzar and a kingdom–Babylon (Jer. 51:24). This judgment fulfilled the dream told in the second chapter when the kingdom of silver (Medes-Persians) replaced the kingdom of gold. This time God revealed the judgment through the written Word of God on a wall of the palace. Belshazzar could have avoided this judgment through humility and repentance (Dan. 5:22). Instead, the king sinned against knowledge (Jn. 3:19; Jas. 4:17). Belshazzar lifted himself in pride (Dan. 4:34; Lk. 18:13), drank from the vessels (1 Cor. 11:27-30), praised false idols (Ex. 32:8; Is. 42:8), and did not fear Almighty God (Heb. 10:31).

  I. Defiled God’s vessels (5:1-3)

      When Belshazzar began to drink, the king lost all sense of decency and desecrated the holy vessels. The king did not respect anything sacred. He tossed all shame and restraint aside.

      This banquet took place even while the invading armies of the Medes and the Persians camped outside the gates. Belshazzar threw a party before the imminent judgment of God began. Baldwin stated, “With the armies of a conqueror pressing at the capital this deputy ruler took refuge in an orgy of wine.”

      Intoxication and indecency went together in the nation’s capital. Liquor and licentiousness go hand in hand.

Prov. 16:12 [ESV]. It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

Prov. 31:4 [GW]. "It is not for kings, Lemuel. It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor.

      When a person takes what is set apart for God and uses it for other purposes, then that person defiles God’s temple. Time, talents, and treasures that belong to God can be prostituted for the pleasure, profit, or purpose of this age.

1 Cor. 6:19 [GW]. Don't you know that your body is a temple that belongs to the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit, whom you received from God, lives in you. You don't belong to yourselves.

2 Tim. 2:20-21. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.

 II. Crossed God’s line (5:4-6)

      On that night in 539 B.C., nearly seventy years since Nebuchadnezzar brought Daniel to Babylon, the nation went the way of all nations who forget God. Babylon thought the city walls impenetrable.

      Babylon fell to Cyrus the Persion without a battle (Is. 45:1). According to Herodotus (I:190:191), when Cyrus advanced the Babylonians retreated to the city. Finally, Cyrus diverted the waters of the Euphrates and crossed the shallow water. The city fell during the celebration of a festival.

      The fall of Babylon on that night illustrated how nations decay morally from within before being defeated from without. Pride and promiscuity preceded Babylon’s defeat.

Gen. 6:3 [HCSB]. And the LORD said, "My Spirit will not remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Their days will be 120 years."

      A time comes when the cup of God’s wrath is filled.

“There is a time, I know not when,

  A place, I know not where,

Which marks the destiny of men

  To heaven or despair.

There is a line by us not seen,

  Which crosses every path;

The hidden boundary between

  God’s patience and His wrath.”

      R. G. Lee said, “‘Payday Someday’ is written in the constitution of God's universe.”

Ps. 78:30-31 [ESV]. But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths, the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel.

III. Called God’s prophet (5:6-16)

      O. S. Hawkins said, “No one wants the man of God around when liquor is flowing, when the party is in full swing. However, when the handwriting is on the wall, when the crisis time comes, when all our worldly friends have failed, we want to bring in the preacher!”

      Daniel separated himself from the king’s banquet (2 Cor. 6:17). Daniel kept the promise made in youth, not to defile himself.

      Daniel is an example of Spirit-filled (Dan. 4:8-9-18, 5:11-12-14, 6:3) discernment.

Prov. 9:10 [ESV]. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

1 Cor. 2:14 [ESV]. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

      The wisdom of the world could not give an answer for the crisis in the kingdom. Trying to operate without Godly spiritual wisdom insures confusion, misdirection, and failure.

Prov. 29:18 [ESV]. Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Is. 44:25 [MSG]. He makes the magicians look ridiculous and turns fortunetellers into jokes. He makes the experts look trivial and their latest knowledge look silly.

      Daniel faithfully delivered the Word of God to the king, even a message of judgment. The prophet refused to soften the message or take payment from the king (become third ruler behind Nabonidus, already captured, and Belshazzar his son).

 IV. Despised God’s authority (5:17-24)

      Belshazzar did not heed the lesson that Nebuchadnezzar, the king’s ancestor (grandfather), learned about humility.

Is. 2:12 [GNB]. On that day the LORD Almighty will humble everyone who is powerful, everyone who is proud and conceited.

      A heart hardened with pride deliberately despises God’s dealings in history (1 Cor. 10:12). Pride sets itself up against God’s sovereignty and defies Him to do anything. Pride worships the idols made with human hands instead of yielding to God’s rule.

Acts 17:25 [ESV]. nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

  V. Weighed in God’s scales (5:25-31)

      God shook Belshazzar to immediate attention. The imminent judgment of God sobered the king.

Heb. 10:31. [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

•          MENE (number). God numbered the time of king Belshazzar (Ps. 90:12). The great kingdom of Babylon came to an end. God holds the number of each one’s days and that number will come up (Amos 4:12).

•          TEKEL (weigh). God measured Belshazzar and found the king lacking. The kingdom came short on God’s scale (Jas. 2:10).

•          PERES (divided). God divided the nation of Babylon in a moment. God can dissolve suddenly any kingdom (Is. 40:15).

Ps. 73:19 [HCSB]. How suddenly they become a desolation! They come to an end, swept away by terrors.

1 Th. 5:2-3 [GNB]. For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night. When people say, "Everything is quiet and safe," then suddenly destruction will hit them! It will come as suddenly as the pains that come upon a woman in labor, and people will not escape.

      Without exception, Almighty God weighs us in His scales.

Prov. 16:2 [ESV]. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

•          God weighs us by the person of Jesus Christ (Jn. 5:22; Acts 10:42, 17:31; Rom. 2:16; 2 Tim. 4:1). To stand acceptable before a holy God, man must be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:23).

•          God weighs us by the written Word of God (Jn. 12:48; 2 Tim. 2:15). Take the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, or Fruit of the Spirit and examine oneself by the Word (1 Cor. 11:31). Take the Seven Churches of Revelation and see if the church is as Christ intended.

•          God weighs us by the moral law within the conscience (Rom. 2:15; Jn. 8:9; Acts 24:16; 1 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 1:15). Calvin stated, “There are certain original conceptions of right which are imprinted on the hearts of men by nature.”

•          God weighs us by the works done in this life (Mt. 12:36, 16:27; Rom. 2:6; Rev. 20:12, 22:12). This does not mean that God saves by works. However, God will hold both the believer and unbeliever accountable for deeds–good and bad, along with their influence on the day of judgment. Prov. 24:12b [NIV].Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

•          God weighs us by the truth (Jn. 17:17; Rom. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:15). God searches and judges the secret motives in the heart of man (Jer. 17:10; Mt. 6:4-6-18, 10:26; 1 Cor. 3:13, 4:5; 2 Cor. 4:2; Heb. 4:12).

•          God weighs us by the privileges given (Mt. 11:22, 25:29; Lk. 12:47; Jas. 3:1; 1 Pet. 4:17).

•          God weighs us by the scales of impartiality (Dt. 10:17; 2 Chr. 19:7; Mk. 12:14; Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; Jas. 2:1-9; 1 Pet. 1:17).

•          God weighs us by the same attitude of judgment imposed on others (Mt. 7:1-2; Jas. 2:13).

      Apart from God’s grace, a man will live blinded to sins and faults (Acts 26:9) and consider himself exempt from God’s judgment (2 Sam. 12:7; Mt. 3:8; Jn. 8:7). A proud man will not admit wrongdoing and think himself too privileged or favored to ever stand accountable to Almighty God (Rom. 2:5). Yet, God will never excuse any man from judgment (Rom. 14:10-12). God judges without distinction (Rom. 3:22; Heb. 9:27). The judgment of God comes patiently but certainly (Num. 32:23). Man mistakes the longsuffering of God (2 Pet. 3:9) as approval or “getting away with” wrongdoing. God judges man after abundant opportunities to respond to the revelation of His grace (Rom. 2:4) which will come to an end (Rom. 6:23; 2 Th. 1:8).

      Years ago in San Francisco a young boy rode down a hill on a homemade cart. Just as he was about to be struck by an automobile, a man threw himself in front of the car, saving the boy’s life, yet injuring himself. The young man grew up into a life of crime, and later went before a judge for sentencing. The judge walked into the courtroom and the boy noticed that it was the same man that saved his life. “How lucky I am, he thought. This man saved my life once, and now he will save it again.” But the man pronounced a sentence of death, and said, “Son, there was a time when I was your savior, but today I must be your judge.”

NIV

 1. King Belshazzar (Dan. 5:1-2-9-22-29-30, 7:1) gave a great (Dan. 5:1-11) banquet for a thousand of his nobles (Dan. 4:36, 5:1-2-3-9-10-23, 6:17) and drank (Dan. 5:1-2-3-4-23) wine (Dan. 5:1-2-4-23) with them.

 2. While Belshazzar (Dan. 5:1-2-9-22-29-30, 7:1) was drinking (Dan. 5:1-2-3-4-23) his wine (Dan. 5:1-2-4-23), he gave orders to bring in the gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) and silver (Dan. 2:32-35-45, 5:2-4-23) goblets (Dan. 5:2-3-23) that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple (Dan. 5:2-3-5) in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles (Dan. 4:36, 5:1-2-3-9-10-23, 6:17), his wives (Dan. 5:2-3-23) and his concubines (Dan. 5:2-3-23) might drink (Dan. 5:1-2-3-4-23) from them.

 3. So they brought in the gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) goblets (Dan. 5:2-3-23) that had been taken from the temple (Dan. 5:2-3-5) of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles (Dan. 4:36, 5:1-2-3-9-10-23, 6:17), his wives (Dan. 5:2-3-23) and his concubines (Dan. 5:2-3-23) drank (Dan. 5:1-2-3-4-23) from them.

 4. As they drank (Dan. 5:1-2-3-4-23) the wine (Dan. 5:1-2-4-23), they praised (Dan. 2:23, 4:34-37, 5:4-23) the gods (Dan. 2:11-47, 3:12-14–18, 4:8-9-18, 5:4-11-14-23) of gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) and silver (Dan. 2:32-35-45, 5:2-4-23), of bronze (Dan. 2:32-35-39-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:19), iron (Dan. 2:33-34-35-40-41-42-43-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:7-19), wood (Dan. 5:4-23) and stone (Dan. 2:34-35-45, 5:4-23, 6:17).

 5. Suddenly (Dan. 3:6-15, 4:19-33, 5:5) the fingers of a human hand (Dan. 5:5-23-24) appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace (Dan. 4:4-29, 5:2-3-5, 6:18). The king watched the hand as it wrote.

 6. His face turned pale (Dan. 5:6-9-10) and he was so frightened (Dan. 2:31, 4:36, 5:6-9-10, 7:28) that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way.

 7. The king called (Dan. 3:4, 4:14, 5:7) out for the enchanters (Dan. 2:10-27, 4:7, 5:7-11-15), astrologers (Dan. 2:5-10, 3:8, 4:7, 5:7-11-30) and diviners (Dan. 2:27-34-45, 4:7, 5:7-11) to be brought and said to these wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) men of Babylon (Dan. 2:12-14-18-24-48-49, 3:1-12-30, 4:6-29-30, 5:7, 7:1), "Whoever reads (Dan. 5:7-8-12-15-16-17) this writing (Dan. 5:7-8-15-16-17-24-25) and tells (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27, 4:2, 5:7-12-15) me what it means (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) will be clothed in purple (Dan. 5:7-16-29) and have a gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) chain (Dan. 5:7-16-29) placed around his neck (Dan. 5:7-16-29), and he will be made the third highest ruler (Dan. 2:38-39-48, 5:7-16) in the kingdom (Dan. 5:7-11-16-18-20-21-26-28-29-31)."

 8. Then all the king's wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) men came in, but they could not read (Dan. 5:7-8-12-15-16-17) the writing (Dan. 5:7-8-15-16-17-24-25) or tell the king what it meant (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16).

 9. So King Belshazzar (Dan. 5:1-2-9-22-29-30, 7:1) became even more terrified (Dan. 2:31, 4:36, 5:6-9-10, 7:28) and his face grew more pale (Dan. 5:6-9-10). His nobles (Dan. 4:36, 5:1-2-3-9-10-23, 6:17) were baffled.

 10. The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles (Dan. 4:36, 5:1-2-3-9-10-23, 6:17), came into the banquet hall (Dan. 4:4-30, 5:10). "O king, live forever (Dan. 2:4, 3:9, 5:10, 6:6-21)!" she said. "Don't be alarmed (Dan. 2:31, 4:36, 5:6-9-10, 7:28)! Don't look so pale (Dan. 5:6-9-10)!

 11. There is a man in your kingdom (Dan. 5:7-11-16-18-20-21-26-28-29-31) who has the spirit (Dan. 4:8-9-18, 5:11-12-14, 6:3) of the holy (Dan. 4:8-9-13-17-18-23, 5:11, 7:18-21-22-25-27) gods in him. In the time of your father he was found (Dan. 2:25, 5:11) to have insight (Dan. 5:11-14) and intelligence (Dan. 5:11-12-14) and wisdom (Dan. 2:20-21-23-30, 5:11-14) like that of the gods (Dan. 2:11-47, 3:12-14–18, 4:8-9-18, 5:4-11-14-23). King Nebuchadnezzar your father--your father the king, I say--appointed (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-24-27, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24) him chief (Dan. 5:1-11) of the magicians (Dan. 2:10-27, 4:7-9, 5:11), enchanters (Dan. 2:10-27, 4:7, 5:7-11-15), astrologers (Dan. 2:5-10, 3:8, 4:7, 5:7-11-30) and diviners (Dan. 2:27-34-45, 4:7, 5:7-11).

 12. This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar (Dan. 2:26, 4:8-9-18-19, 5:12), was found to have a keen (Dan. 2:31, 4:36, 5:12-14, 6:3, 7:7-19) mind (Dan. 2:21, 4:34-36, 5:12) and knowledge (Dan. 2:21, 4:34-36, 5:12) and understanding (Dan. 5:11-12-14), and also the ability to interpret dreams (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-26-28-36-45, 4:5-6-7-8-9-18-19, 5:12, 7:1), explain riddles and solve (Dan. 5:12-16) difficult problems (Dan. 5:12-16). Call for Daniel, and he will tell (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27, 4:2, 5:7-12-15) you what the writing means (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16)."

 13. So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, "Are you Daniel, one of the exiles (Dan. 2:25, 5:13, 6:13) my father the king brought from Judah?

 14. I have heard that the spirit (Dan. 4:8-9-18, 5:11-12-14, 6:3) of the gods is in you and that you have insight (Dan. 5:11-14), intelligence (Dan. 5:11-12-14) and outstanding (Dan. 2:31, 4:36, 5:12-14, 6:3, 7:7-19) wisdom (Dan. 2:20-21-23-30, 5:11-14).

 15. The wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) men and enchanters (Dan. 2:10-27, 4:7, 5:7-11-15) were brought before me to read (Dan. 5:7-8-12-15-16-17) this writing (Dan. 5:7-8-15-16-17-24-25) and tell (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27, 4:2, 5:7-12-15) me what it means (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16), but they could not explain (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) it.

 16. Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) and to solve (Dan. 5:12-16) difficult problems (Dan. 5:12-16). If you can read (Dan. 5:7-8-12-15-16-17) this writing (Dan. 5:7-8-15-16-17-24-25) and tell me what it means (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16), you will be clothed in purple (Dan. 5:7-16-29) and have a gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) chain (Dan. 5:7-16-29) placed around your neck (Dan. 5:7-16-29), and you will be made the third highest ruler (Dan. 2:38-39-48, 5:7-16) in the kingdom (Dan. 5:7-11-16-18-20-21-26-28-29-31)."

 17. Then Daniel answered the king, "You may keep your gifts (Dan. 2:6-48, 5:17) for yourself and give your rewards (Dan. 2:6, 5:17) to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read (Dan. 5:7-8-12-15-16-17) the writing (Dan. 5:7-8-15-16-17-24-25) for the king and tell him what it means (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16).

 18. "O king, the Most High God (Dan. 3:26, 4:17-24-25-32-34, 5:18-21, 7:18-22-25-27) gave (Dan. 2:21-23-37-38-48, 5:18-19-28, 7:6-14-22-27) your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty (Dan. 5:7-11-16-18-20-21-26-28-29-31) (Dan. 4:30-36, 5:18) and greatness (Dan. 4:22-36, 5:18-19, 7:27) and glory (Dan. 2:6-37, 4:30-36, 5:18-20, 7:14) and splendor (Dan. 5:6-12-16).

 19. Because of the high position (Dan. 4:22-36, 5:18-19, 7:27) he gave (Dan. 2:21-23-37-38-48, 5:18-19-28, 7:6-14-22-27) him, all the peoples and nations and men of every language (Dan. 3:4-7-29, 4:1, 5:19, 6:25, 7:14) dreaded (Dan. 2:31, 4:5, 5:19, 6:26, 7:7-19) and feared (Dan. 2:31, 4:5, 5:19, 6:26, 7:7-19) him. Those the king wanted to put to death (Dan. 2:13-14, 3:22, 5:19-30, 7:11), he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted (Dan. 5:19-20-23); and those he wanted to humble (Dan. 4:37, 5:19-22, 7:24), he humbled.

 20. But when his heart (Dan. 2:30, 4:16, 5:20-21-22, 7:4) became arrogant (Dan. 5:19-20-23) and hardened (Dan. 4:11-20-22, 5:20, 6:7) with pride, he was deposed (Dan. 4:13-23, 5:20) from his royal throne (Dan. 5:7-11-16-18-20-21-26-28-29-31) and stripped (Dan. 2:21, 4:31, 5:20, 7:12) of his glory (Dan. 2:6-37, 4:30-36, 5:18-20, 7:14).

 21. He was driven (Dan. 4:25-32-33, 5:21) away from people and given the mind (Dan. 2:30, 4:16, 5:20-21-22, 7:4) of an animal (Dan. 2:38, 4:12-14-15-16-21-23-25-32, 5:21); he lived (Dan. 2:11, 4:25-32, 5:21) with the wild donkeys and ate grass (Dan. 4:15-25-32-33, 5:21) like cattle (Dan. 4:25-32-33, 5:21); and his body (Dan. 4:33, 5:21) was drenched (Dan. 4:15-23-25-33, 5:21) with the dew (Dan. 4:15-23-25-33, 5:21) of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God (Dan. 3:26, 4:17-24-25-32-34, 5:18-21, 7:18-22-25-27) is sovereign (Dan. 4:17-25-26-32, 5:21-29) over the kingdoms (Dan. 5:7-11-16-18-20-21-26-28-29-31) of men and sets (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-24-27, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24) over them anyone (Dan. 4:17-25-32, 5:21) he wishes (Dan. 4:17-25-32-35, 5:21).

 22. "But you his son, O Belshazzar (Dan. 5:1-2-9-22-29-30, 7:1), have not humbled (Dan. 4:37, 5:19-22, 7:24) yourself, though you knew all this.

 23. Instead, you have set yourself up (Dan. 5:19-20-23) against the Lord (Dan. 2:47, 5:23) of heaven (Dan. 2:18-19-28-37-44, 5:23). You had the goblets (Dan. 5:2-3-23) from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles (Dan. 4:36, 5:1-2-3-9-10-23, 6:17), your wives (Dan. 5:2-3-23) and your concubines (Dan. 5:2-3-23) drank (Dan. 5:1-2-3-4-23) wine (Dan. 5:1-2-4-23) from them. You praised (Dan. 2:23, 4:34-37, 5:4-23) the gods (Dan. 2:11-47, 3:12-14–18, 4:8-9-18, 5:4-11-14-23) of silver (Dan. 2:32-35-45, 5:2-4-23) and gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29), of bronze (Dan. 2:32-35-39-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:19), iron (Dan. 2:33-34-35-40-41-42-43-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:7-19), wood (Dan. 5:4-23) and stone (Dan. 2:34-35-45, 5:4-23, 6:17), which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor (Dan. 4:34-37, 5:23) the God who holds in his hand (Dan. 5:5-23-24) your life and all your ways (Dan. 4:37, 5:23).

 24. Therefore he sent (Dan. 3:2-28, 5:24, 6:22) the hand (Dan. 5:5-23-24) that wrote (Dan. 5:7-8-15-16-17-24-25) the inscription (Dan. 5:24-25).

 25. "This is the inscription (Dan. 5:24-25) that was written (Dan. 5:7-8-15-16-17-24-25): MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN

 26. "This is what these words mean (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16): Mene: God has numbered (Dan. 2:24-49, 3:12, 5:26) the days of your reign (Dan. 5:7-11-16-18-20-21-26-28-29-31) and brought it to an end.

 27. Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found (Dan. 5:11-12-14-27) wanting.

 28. Peres: Your kingdom (Dan. 5:7-11-16-18-20-21-26-28-29-31) is divided (Dan. 5:25-28) and given (Dan. 2:21-23-37-38-48, 5:18-19-28, 7:6-14-22-27) to the Medes (Dan. 5:28, 6:8-12-15) and Persians."

 29. Then at Belshazzar's (Dan. 5:1-2-9-22-29-30, 7:1) command, Daniel was clothed in purple (Dan. 5:7-16-29), a gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) chain (Dan. 5:7-16-29) was placed around his neck (Dan. 5:7-16-29), and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler (Dan. 4:17-25-26-32, 5:21-29) in the kingdom (Dan. 5:7-11-16-18-20-21-26-28-29-31).

 30. That very night Belshazzar (Dan. 5:1-2-9-22-29-30, 7:1), king of the Babylonians, was slain (Dan. 2:13-14, 3:22, 5:19-30, 7:11),

 31. and Darius (Dan. 5:31, 6:1-6-9-25-28) the Mede took over the kingdom (Dan. 5:7-11-16-18-20-21-26-28-29-31), at the age of sixty-two.