Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
Daniel looked right at the king and said, 'Keep your gifts and give your rewards to someone else. I'll still read this writing for you and tell you what it means.'
Daniel said 'I don't need your money' and chose to speak truth anyway, that's integrity.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Daniel, chapter 5, King Belshazzar of Babylon is hosting a lavish feast when a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall, signaling the impending downfall of his kingdom as a judgment from God. Daniel, a Jewish exile and prophet in Babylonian captivity, is summoned by the king to interpret the writing, even though Belshazzar offers him great rewards. This moment reflects the historical tension between God's sovereignty and the pride of pagan rulers during the exile of the Israelites.
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