⁴ The ·wise men [astrologers; ^LChaldeans] answered the king in the Aramaic language [^Cthe language of the text shifts to Aramaic until the end of chapter 7; Aramaic was the everyday language of Babylon at this time], “O king, live forever! Please tell us, your servants, your dream. Then we will ·tell you what it means [interpret it].”

⁵ King Nebuchadnezzar said to ·them [the astrologers/^LChaldeans], “·I meant what I said [^LThe matter has been determined by me]. You must tell me the dream and what it means. If you don’t, I will have you torn ·apart [limb from limb], and I will turn your houses into piles of stones [Ezra 6:11]. ⁶ But if you tell me my dream and its ·meaning [interpretation], I will reward you with gifts, a reward, and great honor. So tell me the dream and ·what it means [its interpretation].”