Daniel 2:9

⁷ They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.

⁸ The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.

¹⁰ The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

¹¹ And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one decree for you. You have conspired to speak before me false and fraudulent words, hoping the situation will change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I will know that you can give me its interpretation.”
KJV: But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.
WEB: But if you don’t make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, until the situation changes. Therefore tell me the dream, and I will know that you can show me its interpretation.”
ASV: But if ye make not known unto me the dream, there is but one law for you; for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof.
DARBY: but if ye do not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you; for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me its interpretation.
BLB: that if you⁺ do not make known to me the dream, it [is] one decree for you⁺. And you⁺ have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me until the times should change. Therefore you must tell the dream to me, and I will know that you⁺ can show me its interpretation.”

ÅB: Såfremt dere ikke sier meg drømmen, da er dommen over dere uforanderlig. Men dere er blitt enige om å fortelle meg en skammelig løgn, i håp om at tidene skal forandre seg, derfor, si meg drømmen, så jeg kan vite at dere også kan kunngjøre meg dens uttydning!
OTB: Hvis dere ikke avslører drømmen for meg, er det bare én dom for dere. Dere har sammensverget dere for å tale villedende og korrupte ord foran meg inntil situasjonen endrer seg. Derfor, fortell meg drømmen, så jeg vil vite at dere kan tolke den."
B1930: Såfremt I ikke sier mig drømmen, da er dommen over eder uforanderlig. Men I er blitt enige om å fortelle mig en skammelig løgn, i håp om at tidene skal forandre sig, derfor, si mig drømmen, så jeg kan vite at I også kan kunngjøre mig dens uttydning!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Esther 4:11
All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
Read in context
Daniel 7:25
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Read in context
Isaiah 41:23
Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
Read in context
Daniel 2:21
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Read in context
Daniel 3:15
Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
Read in context
Daniel 5:28
PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
Read in context
Ezekiel 13:6
They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
Read in context
Isaiah 44:25
That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
Read in context