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Daniel 3-4
Holman Christian Standard Bible

Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue

3 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue,(A) 90 feet high and nine feet wide.[a] He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.(B) 2 King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers(C) of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue the king had set up. Then they stood before the statue Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 A herald loudly proclaimed, “People of every nation and language, you are commanded: 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither,[b] lyre,[c] harp, drum,[d] and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship(D) the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 But whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.”(E)

7 Therefore, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and every kind of music, people of every nation and language fell down and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

The Furnace of Blazing Fire

8 Some Chaldeans took this occasion to come forward and maliciously accuse[e](F) the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever. 10 You as king have issued a decree(G) that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music must fall down and worship the gold statue. 11 Whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.(H) These men have ignored you,(I) the king; they do not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

13 Then in a furious rage(J) Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to bring in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you don’t serve my gods or worship the gold statue(K) I have set up? 15 Now if you’re ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire—and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”(L)

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists,[f] then He can rescue(M) us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if He does not rescue us,[g] we want you as king to know that we will not serve(N) your gods(O) or worship the gold statue you set up.”

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage,(P) and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times more than was customary, 20 and he commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 So these men, in their trousers, robes, head coverings,[h] and other clothes, were tied up and thrown into the furnace of blazing fire. 22 Since the king’s command was so urgent[i](Q) and the furnace extremely hot, the raging flames[j] killed those men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego up. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell, bound, into the furnace of blazing fire.

Delivered from the Fire

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm.(R) He said to his advisers, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire?”

“Yes, of course, Your Majesty,” they replied to the king.

25 He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed;(S) and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”[k](T)

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and called: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God—come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.(U) 27 When the satraps, prefects, governors, and the king’s advisers gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect(V) on[l] the bodies of these men: not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent His angel[m](W) and rescued His servants who trusted in Him.(X) They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.(Y) 29 Therefore I issue a decree(Z) that anyone of any people, nation, or language who says anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be torn limb from limb and his house made a garbage dump.(AA) For there is no other god who is able to deliver like this.” 30 Then the king rewarded Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.(AB)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Proclamation

4 [n]King Nebuchadnezzar,

To those of every people, nation, and language, who live in all the earth:(AC)

May your prosperity increase.(AD) 2 I am pleased to tell you about the miracles and wonders(AE) the Most High God has done for me.

3 How great are His miracles,
and how mighty His wonders!(AF)
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom,(AG)
and His dominion is from generation to generation.

The Dream

4 [o]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.(AH) 5 I had a dream, and it frightened me; while in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.(AI) 6 So I issued a decree(AJ) to bring all the wise men of Babylon to me in order that they might make the dream’s interpretation known to me.(AK) 7 When the diviner-priests, mediums, Chaldeans, and astrologers came in, I told them the dream, but they could not make its interpretation known to me.(AL)

8 Finally Daniel, named Belteshazzar(AM) after the name of my god—and the spirit of the holy gods is in him(AN)—came before me. I told him the dream: 9 “Belteshazzar, head of the diviners, because I know that you have a spirit of the holy gods(AO) and that no mystery puzzles you,(AP) explain to me the visions of my dream that I saw, and its interpretation. 10 In the visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this:

There was a tree in the middle of the earth,
and its height was great.
11 The tree grew large and strong;
its top reached to the sky,
and it was visible to the ends of the[p] earth.
12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant,
and on it was food for all.
Wild animals found shelter under it,
the birds of the air(AQ) lived in its branches,
and every creature was fed from it.(AR)

13 “As I was lying in my bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind an observer, a holy one,[q](AS) coming down from heaven. 14 He called out loudly:

Cut down the tree and chop off its branches;
strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.
Let the animals flee from under it,
and the birds from its branches.(AT)
15 But leave the stump with its roots in the ground,(AU)
and with a band of iron and bronze around it,
in the tender grass of the field.
Let him be drenched with dew from the sky
and share the plants of the earth(AV)
with the animals.
16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man,
and let him be given the mind of an animal
for seven periods of time.[r][s](AW)
17 This word is by decree of the observers;
the matter is a command from the holy ones.
This is so the living will know
that the Most High is ruler
over the kingdom of men.
He gives it to anyone He wants
and sets the lowliest of men over it.(AX)

18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can make the interpretation known to me.(AY) But you can, because you have the spirit of the holy gods.”

The Dream Interpreted

19 Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was stunned for a moment, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.”

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!(AZ) 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, whose top reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, 21 whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant—and on it was food for all, under it the wild animals lived, and in its branches the birds of the air lived— 22 that tree is you, the king. For you have become great and strong: your greatness has grown and even reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.(BA)

23 “The king saw an observer, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground and with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky, and share food with the wild animals for seven periods of time.’ 24 This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the sentence of the Most High that has been passed against my lord the king:(BB) 25 You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals. You will feed on grass like cattle(BC) and be drenched with dew from the sky for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants.(BD) 26 As for the command to leave the tree’s stump with its roots, your kingdom will be restored[t] to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven[u] rules.(BE) 27 Therefore, may my advice seem good to you my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right,(BF) and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy.(BG) Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”(BH)

The Sentence Executed

28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.(BI) 29 At the end of 12 months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, 30 the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built by my vast power to be a royal residence and to display my majestic glory?”(BJ)

31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you.(BK) 32 You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals, and you will feed on grass like cattle for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants.”

33 At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was executed. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.(BL)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Praise

34 But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honored and glorified Him who lives forever:(BM)

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and His kingdom is from generation to generation.(BN)
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing,
and He does what He wants(BO) with the army of heaven
and the inhabitants of the earth.
There is no one who can hold back His hand
or say to Him, “What have You done?”(BP)

36 At that time my sanity returned to me, and my majesty and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and my nobles sought me out, I was reestablished over my kingdom, and even more greatness came to me.(BQ) 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, because all His works are true and His ways are just.(BR) He is able to humble(BS) those who walk in pride.(BT)

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 3:1 Lit statue, its height 60 cubits, its width six cubits
  2. Daniel 3:5 Or lyre
  3. Daniel 3:5 Or sambuke
  4. Daniel 3:5 Or pipe
  5. Daniel 3:8 Lit and eat the pieces of
  6. Daniel 3:17 They do not doubt God’s existence as 3:18 shows. The “if” is part of an argument used to defend their refusal to serve Babylonian gods.
  7. Daniel 3:18 Lit But if not
  8. Daniel 3:21 The identity of these articles of clothing is uncertain.
  9. Daniel 3:22 Or harsh
  10. Daniel 3:22 Lit the flame of the fire
  11. Daniel 3:25 Or of a divine being
  12. Daniel 3:27 Lit fire had not overcome
  13. Daniel 3:28 Or messenger
  14. Daniel 4:1 Dn 3:31 in Hb
  15. Daniel 4:4 Dn 4:1 in Hb
  16. Daniel 4:11 Lit of all the
  17. Daniel 4:13 = an angel
  18. Daniel 4:16 Lit animal as seven times pass over him
  19. Daniel 4:16 Perhaps 7 years
  20. Daniel 4:26 Lit enduring
  21. Daniel 4:26 = God
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Daniel 3-4
New International Version

The Image of Gold and the Blazing Furnace

3 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image(A) of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,[a] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps,(B) prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials(C) to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language,(D) this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp,(E) pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image(F) of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.(G) 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”(H)

7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.(I)

8 At this time some astrologers[b](J) came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever!(K) 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree(L) that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,(M) 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego(N)—who pay no attention(O) to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”(P)

13 Furious(Q) with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods(R) or worship the image(S) of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god(T) will be able to rescue(U) you from my hand?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego(V) replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver(W) us from it, and he will deliver(X) us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.(Y)”

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven(Z) times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego(AA) and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,(AB) 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”

25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God,(AC) come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers(AD) crowded around them.(AE) They saw that the fire(AF) had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel(AG) and rescued(AH) his servants! They trusted(AI) in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.(AJ) 29 Therefore I decree(AK) that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble,(AL) for no other god can save(AM) in this way.”

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.(AN)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

4 [d]King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the nations and peoples of every language,(AO) who live in all the earth:

May you prosper greatly!(AP)

2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs(AQ) and wonders that the Most High God(AR) has performed for me.

3 How great are his signs,
    how mighty his wonders!(AS)
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
    his dominion endures(AT) from generation to generation.

4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented(AU) and prosperous. 5 I had a dream(AV) that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed,(AW) the images and visions that passed through my mind(AX) terrified me.(AY) 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret(AZ) the dream for me. 7 When the magicians,(BA) enchanters, astrologers[e] and diviners(BB) came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.(BC) 8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar,(BD) after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods(BE) is in him.)

9 I said, “Belteshazzar, chief(BF) of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods(BG) is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed:(BH) I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.(BI) 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.(BJ) 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches;(BK) from it every creature was fed.

13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed,(BL) I looked, and there before me was a holy one,(BM) a messenger,[f] coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree(BN) and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.(BO) 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.

“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[g] pass by for him.(BP)

17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(BQ) is sovereign(BR) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(BS) of people.’

18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me.(BT) But you can,(BU) because the spirit of the holy gods(BV) is in you.”(BW)

Daniel Interprets the Dream

19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified(BX) him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”(BY)

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds(BZ)— 22 Your Majesty, you are that tree!(CA) You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.(CB)

23 “Your Majesty saw a holy one,(CC) a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’(CD)

24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree(CE) the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched(CF) with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High(CG) is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.(CH) 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots(CI) means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.(CJ) 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.(CK) It may be that then your prosperity(CL) will continue.(CM)”

The Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened(CN) to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory(CO) of my majesty?”(CP)

31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.(CQ) 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”(CR)

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched(CS) with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.(CT)

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity(CU) was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.(CV)

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom(CW) endures from generation to generation.(CX)
35 All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.(CY)
He does as he pleases(CZ)
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back(DA) his hand(DB)
    or say to him: “What have you done?”(DC)

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.(DD) My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt(DE) and glorify(DF) the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.(DG) And those who walk in pride(DH) he is able to humble.(DI)

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 3:1 That is, about 90 feet high and 9 feet wide or about 27 meters high and 2.7 meters wide
  2. Daniel 3:8 Or Chaldeans
  3. Daniel 3:17 Or If the God we serve is able to deliver us, then he will deliver us from the blazing furnace and
  4. Daniel 4:1 In Aramaic texts 4:1-3 is numbered 3:31-33, and 4:4-37 is numbered 4:1-34.
  5. Daniel 4:7 Or Chaldeans
  6. Daniel 4:13 Or watchman; also in verses 17 and 23
  7. Daniel 4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32
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