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whose name was Daniel； a wise man； and one of great sagacity in
finding out what was impossible for others to discover； and what
was known to God alone； who brought to light and answered such
questions to Nebuchadnezzar as no one else was able to answer
when they were consulted。 She therefore desired that he would
send for him； and inquire of him concerning the writing； and to
condemn the unskilfulness of those that could not find their
meaning； and this； although what God signified thereby should be
of a melancholy nature。
3。 When Baltasar heard this； he called for Daniel； and when he
had discoursed to him what he had learned concerning him and his
wisdom； and how a Divine Spirit was with him； and that he alone
was fully capable of finding out what others would never have
thought of； he desired him to declare to him what this writing
meant； that if he did so； he would give him leave to wear purple；
and to put a chain of gold about his neck； and would bestow on
him the third part of his dominion； as an honorary reward for his
wisdom； that thereby he might become illustrious to those who saw
him； and who inquired upon what occasion he obtained such honors。
But Daniel desired that he would keep his gifts to himself； for
what is the effect of wisdom and of Divine revelation admits of
no gifts； and bestows its advantages on petitioners freely； but
that still he would explain the writing to him； which denoted
that he should soon die； and this because he had not learnt to
honor God； and not to admit things above human nature； by what
punishments his progenitor had undergone for the injuries he had
offered to God； and because he had quite forgotten how
Nebuchadnezzar was removed to feed among wild beasts for his
impieties； and did not recover his former life among men and his
kingdom； but upon God's mercy to him； after many supplications
and prayers； who did thereupon praise God all the days of his
life； as one of almighty power； and who takes care of mankind。
＇He also put him in mind＇ how he had greatly blasphemed against
God； and had made use of his vessels amongst his concubines； that
therefore God saw this； and was angry with him； and declared by
this writing beforehand what a sad conclusion of his life he
should come to。 And he explained the writing thus：〃 MANEH。 This；
if it be expounded in the Greek language； may signify a Number；
because God hath numbered so long a time for thy life； and for
thy government； and that there remains but a small portion。
THEKEL This signifies a weight； and means that God hath weighed
thy kingdom in a balance； and finds it going down
already。PHARES。 This also； in the Greek tongue； denotes a
fragment；。 God will therefore break thy kingdom in pieces； and
divide it among the Medes and Persians。〃
4。 When Daniel had told the king that the writing upon the wall
signified these events； Baltasar was in great sorrow and
affliction； as was to be expected； when the interpretation was so
heavy upon him。 However； he did not refuse what he had promised
Daniel； although he were become a foreteller of misfortunes to
him； but bestowed it all upon him； as reasoning thus； that what
he was to reward was peculiar to himself； and to fate； and did
not belong to the prophet； but that it was the part of a good and
a just man to give what he had promised； although the events were
of a melancholy nature。 Accordingly； the king determined so to
do。 Now； after a little while； both himself and the city were
taken by Cyrus； the king of Persia； who fought against him； for
it was Baltasar； under whom Babylon was taken； when he had
reigned seventeen years。 And this is the end of the posterity of
king Nebuchadnezzar； as history informs us； but when Babylon was
taken by Darius； and when he； with his kinsman Cyrus； had put an
end to the dominion of the Babylonians； he was sixty…two years
old。 He was the son of Astyages； and had another name among the
Greeks。 Moreover； he took Daniel the prophet； and carried him
with him into Media； and honored him very greatly； and kept him
with him； for he was one of the three presidents whom he set over
his three hundred and sixty provinces； for into so many did
Darius part them。
5。 However； while Daniel was in so great dignity； and in so great
favor with Darius； and was alone intrusted with every thing by
him； a having somewhat divine in him； he was envied by the rest；
for those that see others in greater honor than themselves with
kings envy them； and when those that were grieved at the great
favor Daniel was in with Darius sought for an occasion against
him； he afforded them no occasion at all； for he was above all
the temptations of money； and despised bribery； and esteemed it a
very base thing to take any thing by way of reward； even when it
might be justly given him； he afforded those that envied him not
the least handle for an accusation。 So when they could find
nothing for which they might calumniate him to the king； nothing
that was shameful or reproachful； and thereby deprive him of the
honor he was in with him； they sought for some other method
whereby they might destroy him。 When therefore they saw that
Daniel prayed to God three times a day； they thought they had
gotten an occasion by which they might ruin him； so they came to
Darius and told him that the princes and governors had thought
proper to allow the multitude a relaxation for thirty days； that
no one might offer a petition or prayer either to himself or to
the gods； but that he who shall transgress this decree shall be
east into the den of lions； and there perish。〃
6。 Whereupon the king； not being acquainted with their wicked
design； nor suspecting that it was a contrivance of theirs
against Daniel； said he was pleased with this decree of theirs；
and he promised to confirm what they desired； he also published
an edict to promulgate to the people that decree which the
princes had made。 Accordingly； all the rest took care not to
transgress those injunctions； and rested in quiet； but Daniel had
no regard to them； but； as he was wont； he stood and prayed to
God in the sight of them all； but the princes having met with the
occasion they so earnestly sought to find against Daniel； came
presently to the king； and accused him； that Daniel was the only
person that transgressed the decree； while not one of the rest
durst pray to their gods。 This discovery they made； not because
of his impiety； but because they had watched him； and observed
him out of envy； for supposing that Darius did thus out of a
greater kindness to him than they expected； and that he was ready
to grant him pardon for this contempt of his injunctions； and
envying this very pardon to Daniel； they did not become more
honorable to him； but desired he might be cast into the den of
lions according to the law。 So Darius； hoping that God would
deliver him； and that he would undergo nothing that was terrible
by the wild beasts； bid him bear this accident cheerfully。 And
when he was cast into the den； he put his seal to the stone that
lay upon the mouth of the den； and went his way； but he passed
all the night without food and without sleep； being in great
dist