1
Now King Darius gave a great banquet for all that were under him, 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 twenty-seven satrapies from India to Ethiopia.
3
They ate and drank, and when they were satisfied they went away, and King Darius went to his bedroom; he went to sleep, but woke up again.
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 the one whose statement seems wisest, King Darius will give rich gifts and great honors of victory.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.