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The diuerse readings.
v. 1. In the second yeare, in the raigne of Nebuchadnezzer, I. Pol. (not of the raigne of Nebuchadnezzer) L. V. G. for the distinction comming betweene, seuereth these two clauses) Nebuchadnezzer dreamed dreames, wherewith his spirit was troubled (troubled it selfe, Chald.) and his sleepe was vpon him. G. I. Pol. (better, then left him. V. or was broken vpon him. Pag.) or fled from him. L. the word is (haiah) was, and the preposition ghal, doth not signifie from: the meaning is, while he was in a deepe sleepe or slumber.
2. Then the King commanded to call the Magicians, and the Astrologians, and Sorce∣rers, and the Chaldeans, to shew the King his dreames: so they came and stood before the King:
3. And the king said vnto them, I haue dreamed a dreame, and my spirit was troubled (Chald. troubled it selfe) to know the dreame.
4. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in the Aramites language, O King, liue for e∣uer: tell thy seruants the dreame, and we will shew the interpretation.
5. The King answered, and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make me vnderstand the dreame, and the interpretation thereof (not the coniecture there∣of. L.) ye shall be rent in pieces, (ye shall perish. L. ye shall be made pieces. Chald.) and your houses shall be made a iakes. G. (dunghill, Chald. I. not your houses shall be confiscate. L.)
6. But if ye declare the dreame and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receiue of me gifts, and rewards, and great honour: therefore shew me the dreame, and the interpretation of it.
7. They answered againe (the second time, Chald.) and said, Let the king tell the dreame to his seruants, and we will declare the interpretation thereof.
8. The king answered and said, I know certenly that he would gaine time (redeeme, or buie time, Chald.) because ye see the thing is gone from me.
9. But if yee will not declare me the dreame, there is but one iudgement, (sentence. L. V. I. or law. A.) for you: for yee haue prepared lying and corrupt words to speake before me, till the time be changed. G. I. (the time be passed. L. till there be an other state of things, V.) therefore tell me the dreame, that I may knowe, if ye can declare the interpretation thereof.
10. The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said (Chal. and saying) there is not a man vpon the earth (Chal. vpon the drie ground) which can declare the kings matter: there∣fore not any king, nor prince, or ruler (mightie Chald.) euer asked such a question (such a saying. C.) of any Magician, Astrologian, or Chaldean.
11. And the matter (the saying. C.) which the king requireth, is precious. I. (rare. G. of great weight. L. A.) and there is not any other (to be found. L.) which can declare it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh (with men. L. with mortall men. V.)
12. For this cause the king was angrie, and in a great furie, and gaue charge to destroy all the wisemen of Babel.
13. So the sentence was giuen, and the wisemen were slaine: and they sought Daniel, and his fellowes to be slaine.
14. Then Daniel enquired of the counsell and decree. L. Po. (returned the counsell and decree. C. not answered with counsell. G. or interceded. V.) of Arioch the captaine of the guard. I. (or cheife marshall, or executioner. V. the captaine of his armie. L.) to the king, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babel.
15. Yea, he answered and said vnto Arioch the kings captaine, why is the sentence so hastie from the king? then Arioch made knowne (declared. G.) the thing (the word. C.) to Daniel.
16. So Daniel went in, and desired of the King, that he would giue him time (leasure. G.) and he would declare the interpretation to the king.
17. Then Daniel went to his house, and made knowne the matter (the word. C.) to Hananiah, (Chananiah. C.) Mishael, and Hazariah his companions.
18. And that they should beseech mercie from the God of heauen in this secret (sacra∣ment. L.) that Daniel with his fellowes might not perish with the rest of the wisemen of Babel.