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.
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He shall be clothed in purple, and drink from gold cups, and sleep on a gold bed, and have a chariot with gold bridles, and a turban of fine linen, and a necklace around his neck;
7
and because of his wisdom he shall sit next to Darius and shall be called Kinsman of Darius."
8
Then each wrote his own statement, and they sealed them and put them under the pillow of King Darius,