1
Now King Darius gave a great banquet for all that were under him and all that were born in his house and all the nobles of Media and Persia
2
and all the satraps and generals and governors that were under him in the hundred and twenty-seven satrapies from India to Ethiopia.
3
They ate and drank, and when they were satisfied they departed; and Darius the king went to his bedroom, and went to sleep, and then awoke.
4
Then the three young men of the bodyguard, who kept guard over the person of the king, said to one another,
5
"Let each of us state what one thing is strongest; and to him whose statement seems wisest, Darius the king will give rich gifts and great honors of victory.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.