"My lord," Daniel answered, "the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies." The prophet realized that upon him God had laid the solemn duty of revealing to Nebuchadnezzar the judgment that was about to fall upon him because of his pride and arrogance. Daniel must interpret the dream in language the king could understand; and although its dreadful import had made him hesitate in dumb amazement, yet he must state the truth, whatever the consequences to himself.

Daniel svarede: "Herre, måtte drømmen gælde dine fjender og dens udtydning dine avindsmænd!" Profeten var klar over, at Gud havde pålagt ham den tunge pligt at gøre Nebukadnezar bekendt med den straf, som snart ville ramme ham på grund af hans stolthed og hovmodighed. Daniel var nødt til at udtyde drømmen i et sprog, som kongen kunne forstå. Skønt dens frygtelige betydning havde fået ham til at tøve i stum forundring, skulle han sige sandheden uden hensyn til, hvilke følger det ville få for ham selv.