clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a
kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and this kingdom shall not be
left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these
kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the
stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in
pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great
God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and
the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure."

For a while the king, in silent astonishment, gazed on the wonderful
being before him; then he arose and fell prostrate at the feet of the
captive Hebrew, and paid him adoration suitable only to a divine being.

"Let thy adoration be paid to Jehovah, O king!" cried Daniel, "for it is
he that revealeth secrets, and bringeth to light the hidden mysteries."

"Of a truth, your God is a God of gods," cried the king, "and a revealer
of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this mystery. And now,
Belteshazzar, thou art exalted to be a ruler over the whole province of
Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Chaldea; and
if thou desirest any particular favor, let it not be hidden from the
king; for thou art worthy of all honors, and the full desire of thy heart
shall be given thee."

"For himself, thy servant has nothing to ask; but be it known to thee, O
king, that thou art as much indebted for the restoration of the vision to
my three companions as to thy servant, for in answer to our united
prayers the secret was made known. I pray thee, therefore, that while I
am thus honored, my companions may share in it."