Print Page Options

但以理被立为监察司

大利乌按自己的心意,立了一百二十个总督,治理全国;(本节在《马索拉文本》为6:2) 他又在这些总督之上,设立三位监察司(但以理是其中之一),监管总督的工作,免得王受亏损。 因为但以理里面有美好的灵性,所以各方面都比其他的监察司和总督优胜;王有意立他治理全国。

引起同僚的嫉妒与谋害

于是这些监察司和总督在但以理治国的事上,寻找把柄控告他,只是不能找到任何的把柄和过失,因为他忠心可靠,他们找不到他的任何错误和过失。 那些人就说:“如果我们要控告这但以理,就只有在他 神的律法中去找把柄。” 这些监察司和总督就相约前来见王,对他说:“愿大利乌王万岁! 国中所有的监察司、总监、总督、谋臣和省长,一同商议,请王立一条法例,实施一道禁令:无论何人,在三十天内,王啊!除了向你以外,若向任何神或任何人求甚么,就必扔在狮子坑中。 王啊!现在求你立这禁令,签署这份文告,使禁令不能更改。按照玛代和波斯的律法,这样的禁令是不能废除的。” 于是大利乌王签署了这禁令文告。

但以理照常祷告

10 但以理知道这文告签署了以后,就上到自己家里楼顶上的房间,这房间的窗户朝向耶路撒冷开着;他一日三次双膝跪下,在他的 神面前祷告称谢,像往日一样。 11 那些人相约前来,看见但以理在他的 神面前祈祷恳求。 12 他们就来到王面前,提起王的禁令,说:“你岂不是签署了禁令,无论何人,在三十天内,王啊!除了向你以外,若向任何神或任何人求甚么,就必扔在狮子坑中?”王回答说:“确有此事。按照玛代和波斯的律法,这样的禁令是不能废除的。” 13 于是他们对王说:“王啊,在被掳的犹大人中的但以理不理会你的命令,也不理会你签署的禁令,竟仍一日三次向他的 神祈求。” 14 王听见了这话,就非常愁烦;他定意要搭救但以理,直到日落的时候,他还在设法营救但以理。 15 那些人就相约前来见王,对他说:“王啊,你该知道,根据玛代和波斯的律法,王所立的禁令和法例,都是不能更改的。”

但以理被扔在狮子坑中

16 于是王下令,人就把但以理带来,扔在狮子坑中。王对但以理说:“你常常事奉的 神,他必搭救你!” 17 有人搬了一块石头,放在坑口,王又盖上自己的印鉴和众大臣的印鉴,使惩办但以理的事不得更改。 18 王回到宫里,整夜没有吃东西,也不要任何娱乐解闷,并且睡不着觉。

19 次日黎明,天一亮,王就起来,急忙到狮子坑那里去。 20 他走近坑边的时候,就用哀痛的声音呼叫但以理,对但以理说:“永活 神的仆人但以理啊!你常常事奉的 神能搭救你脱离狮子吗?”

但以理毫无损伤

21 但以理对王说:“愿王万岁! 22 我的 神差遣了他的使者,封住狮子的口,使牠们没有伤害我,因为我在 神面前是清白的;王啊!在你面前我也没有作过任何错事。” 23 王就非常高兴,吩咐人把但以理从坑里拉上来。于是但以理从坑里被拉上来,他身上一点损伤也没有,因为他信靠他的 神。

陷害但以理的人自食其果

24 王下令,人就把那些诬蔑控告但以理的人,连同他们的妻子和儿女都一起带来,扔在狮子坑中;他们还没有下到坑底,狮子就抓住他们,把他们所有的骨头都咬碎了。

王通令全国敬畏 神

25 后来大利乌王写信给住在全地的各国、各族和说各种语言的人,说:“愿你们大享平安! 26 现在我下令,我所统治的全国人民都要在但以理的 神面前战兢恐惧。

“他是永活的 神,

他永远长存;

他的国度永不灭亡,

他的统治直到永远。

27 他搭救人,拯救人;

他在天上地下施行神迹奇事;

他搭救了但以理脱离狮子的爪。”

28 于是这但以理在大利乌作王的时候,和在波斯人古列作王的时候(本句或译:“于是这但以理在大利乌〔即波斯人古列〕作王的时候”),事事亨通。

Daniel in the Lions’ Den[a]

Chapter 6

The Plot against Daniel. Darius the Mede succeeded Belshazzar as king, at the age of sixty-two. It pleased Darius to appoint one hundred and twenty satraps to rule throughout his kingdom.[b] Over them he designated three administrators, including Daniel, to whom the satraps were to be accountable. In this way the king’s interests were to be safeguarded.

Daniel quickly became recognized as superior to the other administrators and satraps because of his exceptional qualities, and the king decided to place him in charge of the entire kingdom. Therefore, the administrators and the satraps tried to find some grounds upon which they could bring charges against Daniel. But they could find no basis for complaint or the slightest evidence of corruption on his part, because he was so faithful in performing his duties that there was no possibility of charging him with negligence or corruption. Therefore, they concluded, “We shall never find any basis to lodge a complaint against Daniel unless it is in connection with his God.”

As a result, these administrators and satraps conspired together, and then they came in a group to the king, saying, “May King Darius live forever! All of us, the ministers of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, are unanimous in our belief that the king should issue an edict and enforce a decree that whoever presents a petition to anyone, whether divine or human, during the next thirty days, other than to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions. We ask that Your Majesty ratify this edict immediately and sign the document, thereby making it unalterable, for the law of the Medes and the Persians cannot be revoked.” 10 Therefore, King Darius signed the document, thereby establishing its contents as a law.

11 Daniel Continues To Pray. Even after Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he continued his custom of retiring to his house, in which the windows in the upper room opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he fell to his knees, praying to God and giving him thanks, as he had always done.[c] 12 The conspirators, who were ever on the watch, broke into his room and found Daniel praying and pleading with God.

13 The conspirators were then granted an audience with the king during which they reminded him of the royal edict. “Your Majesty,” they said, “did you not sign a decree forbidding anyone for the next thirty days to present a petition to anyone, divine or human, except to you, O king, under the penalty of being thrown into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The decree stands, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 14 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, has totally disregarded both you, O king, and the decree you signed. He continues to offer his prayer three times a day.”

15 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed, and he became determined to save Daniel. Until sunset he made every effort possible to rescue him. 16 Meanwhile, the conspirators continued to press the king in this matter, saying, “Your Majesty surely must know that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or decree can be changed once it has been issued by the king.”

17 Daniel Thrown into the Lions’ Den. Finally the king ordered Daniel to be brought forth and thrown into the den of lions, after first having said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you.” 18 A stone was then brought forward and placed over the mouth of the pit. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles to forestall any tampering in an attempt to rescue Daniel.

19 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night in fasting. He refused to receive any concubines into his chamber and found himself unable to sleep. 20 At the first light of dawn he stood up and hurried to the lions’ den. 21 As he drew near, he cried out sorrowfully to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve so faithfully, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

22 Daniel answered the king, “May Your Majesty live forever! 23 My God sent his angel to seal the lions’ jaws, and they were not able to harm me, because I was judged blameless before him. Nor have I done any harm to you, O king.”

24 The king was overcome with great joy, and he ordered that Daniel be taken up out of the lions’ den. Therefore, Daniel was released from the den, and he was completely unhurt, because he had trusted in his God. 25 The king then commanded that the men who had accused Daniel were to be thrown into the lions’ den, together with their wives and their children. Before they reached the bottom of the pit, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

26 The King’s Profession of Faith. Then King Darius wrote to the nations and peoples of every language throughout the entire world, “May your property increase. 27 I decree that throughout my royal domain everyone is to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel:

“For he is the living God,
    enduring forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
    and his dominion shall be without end.
28 He delivers, rescues,
    and works signs and wonders
    in heaven and on earth.
For he has delivered Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”

29 Therefore, Daniel flourished during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 6:1 The Babylonian kings are followed by a Persian monarch. Because he has been advanced to high offices in the empire, Daniel has aroused the jealousy of other officials. His manner of praying becomes the basis for an accusation, and he is condemned. But the trust and fidelity of the righteous will be rewarded: Daniel will be saved. Moreover—and this is the apologetic purpose of the story—the astonished king will make a public profession of faith in the living God who delivers, rescues, and will, himself, proclaim the unending reign of God (vv. 27-28).
  2. Daniel 6:2 The division of the empire into satraps was effected by Darius I of Persia in 521 B.C.
  3. Daniel 6:11 The verse tells us how a fervent Jew prayed: three times a day, facing toward Jerusalem.

Daniel en el foso de los leones

[a]Darío el medo decidió dividir el reino en ciento veinte provincias y nombró a un alto funcionario para gobernar cada provincia. Asimismo, el rey escogió a Daniel y a dos personas más como administradores para que supervisaran a los altos funcionarios y protegieran los intereses del rey. Pronto Daniel demostró ser más capaz que los otros administradores y altos funcionarios. Debido a la gran destreza administrativa de Daniel, el rey hizo planes para ponerlo frente al gobierno de todo el imperio.

Entonces los demás administradores y altos funcionarios comenzaron a buscar alguna falta en la manera en que Daniel conducía los asuntos de gobierno, pero no encontraron nada que pudieran criticar o condenar. Era fiel, siempre responsable y totalmente digno de confianza. Finalmente llegaron a la siguiente conclusión: «Nuestra única posibilidad de encontrar algún motivo para acusar a Daniel será en relación con las normas de su religión».

Así que los administradores y los altos funcionarios se presentaron ante el rey y dijeron: «¡Que viva el rey Darío! Todos nosotros—administradores, autoridades, altos funcionarios, asesores y gobernadores—nos hemos puesto de acuerdo en que el rey apruebe una ley que se haga cumplir estrictamente. Ordene usted que, en los próximos treinta días, todo aquel que ore a quien sea, divino o humano—excepto a usted, su majestad—, sea arrojado al foso de los leones. Ahora bien, su majestad, emita y firme esta ley de tal modo que no pueda ser alterada, una ley oficial de los medos y de los persas que no puede ser revocada». Así que el rey Darío firmó la ley.

10 Sin embargo, cuando Daniel oyó que se había firmado la ley, fue a su casa y se arrodilló como de costumbre en la habitación de la planta alta, con las ventanas abiertas que se orientaban hacia Jerusalén. Oraba tres veces al día, tal como siempre lo había hecho, dando gracias a su Dios. 11 Entonces los funcionarios fueron juntos a la casa de Daniel y lo encontraron orando y pidiéndole a Dios que lo ayudara. 12 De manera que fueron directo al rey y le recordaron el decreto.

—¿No firmó usted una ley por la cual, durante los próximos treinta días, todo aquel que ore a quien sea, divino o humano—excepto a usted, su majestad—, sea arrojado al foso de los leones?

—Sí—contestó el rey—, esa decisión sigue en pie; es una ley oficial de los medos y de los persas que no puede ser revocada.

13 Entonces le dijeron al rey:

—Ese hombre Daniel, uno de los cautivos de Judá, no hace caso a usted ni a su ley. Sigue orando a su Dios tres veces al día.

14 Al oír esto, el rey se angustió mucho y procuró encontrar un modo de salvar a Daniel. Pasó el resto del día buscando una manera de librarlo de ese aprieto.

15 Por la noche, los hombres volvieron a presentarse ante el rey y dijeron: «Su majestad, usted sabe que según las leyes de los medos y los persas, ninguna ley firmada por el rey puede ser modificada».

16 Entonces, finalmente el rey ordenó que arrestaran a Daniel y lo arrojaran al foso de los leones. El rey le dijo: «Que tu Dios, a quien sirves tan fielmente, te rescate».

17 Así que trajeron una piedra y la colocaron sobre la boca del foso. El rey selló la piedra con su sello real y los sellos de sus nobles para que nadie pudiera rescatar a Daniel. 18 Luego el rey regresó al palacio y pasó la noche en ayuno. Rechazó sus entretenimientos habituales y no pudo dormir en toda la noche.

19 Muy temprano a la mañana siguiente, el rey se levantó y fue deprisa al foso de los leones. 20 Cuando llegó allí, gritó con angustia:

—¡Daniel, siervo del Dios viviente! ¿Pudo tu Dios, a quien sirves tan fielmente, rescatarte de los leones?

21 Y Daniel contestó:

—¡Que viva el rey! 22 Mi Dios envió a su ángel para cerrarles la boca a los leones, a fin de que no me hicieran daño, porque fui declarado inocente ante Dios y no he hecho nada malo en contra de usted, su majestad.

23 El rey se alegró mucho y mandó que sacaran a Daniel del foso. No tenía ningún rasguño, porque había confiado en su Dios.

24 Entonces el rey dio órdenes de que arrestaran a los hombres que maliciosamente habían acusado a Daniel y los hizo echar al foso de los leones, junto con sus esposas y con sus hijos. Los leones saltaron sobre ellos y los despedazaron aun antes de que llegaran al piso del foso.

25 Después el rey Darío envió el siguiente mensaje a la gente de toda raza, nación y lengua en el mundo entero:

«¡Paz y prosperidad a todos ustedes!

26 »Ordeno que en mi reino toda persona tiemble con temor delante del Dios de Daniel.

Pues él es el Dios viviente,
    y permanecerá para siempre.
Su reino jamás será destruido,
    y su dominio nunca tendrá fin.
27 Él rescata y salva a su pueblo;
    realiza señales milagrosas y maravillas
    en los cielos y en la tierra.
Él ha rescatado a Daniel
    del poder de los leones».

28 Así que Daniel prosperó durante el reinado de Darío y el reinado de Ciro, el persa.[b]

Footnotes

  1. 6:1 Los versículos del 6:1-28 corresponden al 6:2-29 en el texto arameo.
  2. 6:28 O de Darío, es decir, el reinado de Ciro, el persa.

(5:31) The kingdom passed to Daryavesh the Mede when he was about sixty-two years old. (1) Daryavesh decided to set over the kingdom 120 viceroys to rule throughout the entire kingdom, (2) with three chiefs over them, of whom Dani’el was one, so that these viceroys could be responsible to them and so that the king’s interests would be safeguarded. (3) But because an extraordinary spirit was in this Dani’el, he so distinguished himself above the other chiefs and the viceroys that the king considered putting him in charge of the whole kingdom. (4) The other chiefs and the viceroys tried to find a cause for complaint against Dani’el in regard to how he performed his governing duties, but they could find nothing to complain about, no fault; on the contrary, because he was so faithful, not a single instance of negligence or faulty administration could be found.

(5) Then these men said, “We’re not going to find any cause for complaint against this Dani’el unless we can find something against him in regard to the law of his god.” (6) So these chiefs and viceroys descended on the king and said to him, “King Daryavesh, live forever! (7) All the chiefs of the kingdom, along with the prefects, viceroys, advisers and governors, have met and agreed that the king should issue a decree putting in force the following law: ‘Whoever makes a request of any god or man during the next thirty days, except of you, your majesty, is to be thrown into the lion pit.’ (8) Now, your majesty, issue this decree over your signature, so that it cannot be revoked, as required by the law of the Medes and Persians, which is itself irrevocable.” 10 (9) So King Daryavesh signed the document, and the decree became law.

11 (10) On learning that the document had been signed, Dani’el went home. The windows of his upstairs room were open in the direction of Yerushalayim; and there he kneeled down three times a day and prayed, giving thanks before his God, just as he had been doing before. 12 (11) Then these men descended on Dani’el and found him making requests and pleading before his God. 13 (12) So they went to remind the king of his royal decree: “Didn’t you sign a law prohibiting anyone from making requests of any god or man within thirty days, except yourself, your majesty, on pain of being thrown into the lion pit?” The king answered, “Yes, that is true, as required by the law of the Medes and Persians, which is itself irrevocable.” 14 (13) They replied to the king, “That Dani’el, one of the exiles from Y’hudah, respects neither you, your majesty, nor the decree you signed; instead, he continues praying three times a day.” 15 (14) When the king heard this report, he was very upset. He determined to save Dani’el and worked until sunset to find a way to rescue him. 16 (15) But these men descended on the king and said to him, “Remember, your majesty, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or edict, once issued by the king, can be revoked.”

17 (16) So the king gave the order, and they brought Dani’el and threw him into the lion pit. The king said to Dani’el, “Your God, whom you are always serving, will save you.” 18 (17) A stone was brought to block the opening of the pit, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, so that nothing concerning Dani’el could be changed.

19 (18) Then the king returned to his palace. He spent the night fasting and refusing to be entertained, as sleep eluded him. 20 (19) Early in the morning, the king got up and hurried to the lion pit. 21 (20) On approaching the pit where Dani’el was, the king cried in a pained voice to Dani’el, “Dani’el, servant of the living God! Has your God, whom you are always serving, been able to save you from the lions?” 22 (21) Then Dani’el answered the king, “May the king live forever! 23 (22) My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths, so they haven’t hurt me. This is because before him I was found innocent; and also I have done no harm to you, your majesty.” 24 (23) The king was overjoyed and ordered Dani’el taken up from the pit. So Dani’el was taken up from the pit, and he was found to be completely unharmed, because he had trusted in his God.

25 (24) Then the king gave an order, and they brought those men who had accused Dani’el, and they threw them into the lion pit — them, their children and their wives — and before they even reached the bottom of the pit, the lions had them in their control and broke all their bones to pieces.

26 (25) King Daryavesh wrote all the peoples, nations and languages living anywhere on earth:

Shalom rav! [Abundant peace!]

27 (26) “I herewith issue a decree that everywhere in my kingdom, people are to tremble and be in awe of the God of Dani’el.

    “For he is the living God;
    he endures forever.
    His kingdom will never be destroyed;
    his rulership will last till the end.
28 (27) He saves, rescues, does signs and wonders
    both in heaven and on earth.
    He delivered Dani’el
    from the power of the lions.”

29 (28) So this Dani’el prospered during the reign of Daryavesh, and also during the reign of Koresh the Persian.

Daniel in the Den of Lions

[a]It pleased Darius(A) to appoint 120 satraps(B) to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel.(C) The satraps were made accountable(D) to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.(E) At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges(F) against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”(G)

So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever!(H) The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors(I) have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.(J) Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”(K) So King Darius put the decree in writing.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward(L) Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees(M) and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.(N) 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.(O) 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”(P)

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,(Q) pays no attention(R) to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed;(S) he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”(T)

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.(U) The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue(V) you!”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed(W) it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating(X) and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.(Y)

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”(Z)

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!(AA) 22 My God sent his angel,(AB) and he shut the mouths of the lions.(AC) They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.(AD) Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound(AE) was found on him, because he had trusted(AF) in his God.

24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den,(AG) along with their wives and children.(AH) And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.(AI)

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language(AJ) in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!(AK)

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence(AL) the God of Daniel.(AM)

“For he is the living God(AN)
    and he endures forever;(AO)
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
    his dominion will never end.(AP)
27 He rescues and he saves;(AQ)
    he performs signs and wonders(AR)
    in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”(AS)

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus[b](AT) the Persian.(AU)

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 6:1 In Aramaic texts 6:1-28 is numbered 6:2-29.
  2. Daniel 6:28 Or Darius, that is, the reign of Cyrus