What Your Majesty is asking for is so difficult that no one can do it for you except the gods, and they do not live among human beings."

But there is a God in heaven, who reveals mysteries. He has informed Your Majesty what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you the dream, the vision you had while you were asleep.

"While Your Majesty was sleeping, you dreamed about the future; and God, who reveals mysteries, showed you what is going to happen.

One time Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him even more.

We were all in the field tying up sheaves of wheat, when my sheaf got up and stood up straight. Yours formed a circle around mine and bowed down to it."

Then Joseph had another dream and told his brothers, "I had another dream, in which I saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to me."

Joseph answered, "I cannot, Your Majesty, but God will give a favorable interpretation."

Joseph said to the king, "The two dreams mean the same thing; God has told you what he is going to do.

The seven thin cows which came up later and the seven thin heads of grain scorched by the desert wind are seven years of famine.

He sends light to places dark as death.

The LORD is the friend of those who obey him and he affirms his covenant with them.

Come here and predict what will happen, so that we will know it when it takes place. Explain to the court the events of the past, and tell us what they mean.

Which of you predicted that this would happen, so that we could say that you were right? None of you said a word about it; no one heard you say a thing!

The things I predicted have now come true. Now I will tell you of new things even before they begin to happen."

The reason I use parables in talking to them is that they look, but do not see, and they listen, but do not hear or understand.

Let us give glory to God! He is able to make you stand firm in your faith, according to the Good News I preach about Jesus Christ and according to the revelation of the secret truth which was hidden for long ages in the past.

Now, however, that truth has been brought out into the open through the writings of the prophets; and by the command of the eternal God it is made known to all nations, so that all may believe and obey.

However, as the scripture says, "What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him."

It is only our own spirit within us that knows all about us; in the same way, only God's Spirit knows all about God.

In past times human beings were not told this secret, but God has revealed it now by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets.

The world of the dead lies open to God; no covering shields it from his sight.

I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light around me to turn into night,

but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

No one can hide where I cannot see them. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth?

Whatever is covered up will be uncovered, and every secret will be made known.

So then, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in broad daylight, and whatever you have whispered in private in a closed room will be shouted from the housetops.

A third time Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" and so he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!" Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep.

So you should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds. And then all will receive from God the praise they deserve.

There is nothing that can be hid from God; everything in all creation is exposed and lies open before his eyes. And it is to him that we must all give an account of ourselves.

There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. When your father was king, this man showed good sense, knowledge, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods. And King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, made him chief of the fortunetellers, magicians, wizards, and astrologers.

I have heard that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that you are skillful and have knowledge and wisdom.

You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light.

you cover yourself with light. You have spread out the heavens like a tent

This was the real light---the light that comes into the world and shines on all people.

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. "I am the light of the world," he said. "Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness."

Whoever sees me sees also him who sent me.

I have come into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.

He alone is immortal; he lives in the light that no one can approach. No one has ever seen him; no one can ever see him. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.

Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning.

Now the message that we have heard from his Son and announce is this: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him.