“The king answered.
‘I know with certainty
That you are trying
To gain time.
You see
That I have firmly
Decreed it.
If you do not
Tell me the dream
There is but one verdict
For you.
You have agreed
To speak lying words
To me.
You have agreed
To speak misleading words
To me,
Until things take a turn.
Therefore,
Tell me the dream!
Then I shall know
That you can give me
Its interpretation.’”
The king would not budge. He responded to the Chaldeans that they were only trying to gain time. They had to tell him the dream first. Otherwise, they might come up with some lying and misleading words. He wanted them to tell him his dream or else they would die. Then, after they explained the dream, he might be willing to accept their interpretation.