7 The king called out loudly to summon the conjurers, the Chal·deʹans,* and the astrologers.+ The king said to the wise men of Babylon: “Any man who reads this writing and tells me its interpretation will be clothed with purple, a gold necklace will be placed around his neck,+ and he will rule as the third one in the kingdom.”+

16 But I have heard concerning you that you are able to provide interpretations+ and to solve knotty problems.* Now if you are able to read the writing and to make its interpretation known to me, you will be clothed with purple, a gold necklace will be placed around your neck, and you will rule as the third one in the kingdom.”+