Handwriting on the Wall

The people are having a big feast. The king of Babylon has invited a thousand important guests. They are using the gold cups and silver cups and the bowls taken from Jehovah's temple in Jerusalem. But, suddenly, the fingers of a man's hand appear in the air and begin to write on the wall. Everyone is scared.

Bel-shaz'zar, the grandson of Neb-u-chad-nez'zar, is the king now. He shouts for his wise men to be brought in.  'Anyone who can read this writing and tell me what it means,' the king says,  'will be given many gifts and be made the third most important  ruler in the kingdom.'  But none of the wise men can read the writing on the wall, nor tell its meaning.

The king's mother hears the noise and comes into the big dining room. 'Please don't be frightened,' she tells the king.  'There is a man in your kingdom that knows the holy gods. When your grandfather Neb-u-chad-nez'zar was king he made him the chief of all his wise men. His name is Daniel. Send for him, and he will tell you what all of this means.'

So right away Daniel is brought in. After refusing to take any gifts,Daniel begins to tell why Jehovah  once removed Bel-shaz'zar's grandfather Neb-u-chad-nez'zar from being king.  'He was very proud,' Daniel says. 'And Jehovah punished him.' 

Next time: Conclusion of Handwriting on the Wall

From the jw.org publications