金像和火窑

尼布甲尼撒王造了一尊高二十七米、宽二点七米的金像,立在巴比伦省的杜拉平原。 他派人召集总督、行政官、省长、谋士、库房官、审判官、司法官及各省的所有官员,前来参加他所立之像的奉献礼。 于是总督、行政官、省长、谋士、库房官、审判官、司法官及各省的官员齐来参加尼布甲尼撒王所立之像的奉献礼,站在那像面前。

传令官大声宣布说:“各族、各邦、各语种的人啊,王有令, ‘你们一听见角、笛、弦琴、竖琴、瑟、笙等各种乐器奏响,就要叩拜尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像。 不叩拜的人必立刻被抛进烈焰熊熊的火窑。’” 于是,各族、各邦、各语种的人一听见角、笛、弦琴、竖琴、瑟等各种乐器的声音,就都叩拜尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像。

那时,有几个占星家前来控告犹大人。 他们对尼布甲尼撒王说:“愿王万岁! 10 王啊,你曾下令,角、笛、弦琴、竖琴、瑟、笙等各种乐器一奏响,每个人都要叩拜金像。 11 不叩拜的人必被扔进烈焰熊熊的火窑。 12 然而,王啊,有几个犹大人,就是王委派负责巴比伦省事务的沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌,却不理会你的命令,不事奉你的神明,也不祭拜你立的金像。” 13 尼布甲尼撒王勃然大怒,下令将沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌带来。于是他们被带到王面前。 14 尼布甲尼撒问他们:“沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌啊,你们真的不事奉我的神明,不祭拜我立的金像吗? 15 现在你们准备好,一听见角、笛、弦琴、竖琴、瑟、笙等各种乐器的声音,就要叩拜我造的像。不然,必立刻将你们扔进烈焰熊熊的火窑。那时什么神明能从我手中救你们呢?”

16 沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌答道:“尼布甲尼撒啊,我们无需为此事回答你。 17 王啊,我们若真被扔进烈焰熊熊的火窑,我们所事奉的上帝必能救我们脱离火窑,祂必从你手中救我们。 18 即或不然,王啊,你要明白,我们也不会事奉你的神明或祭拜你立的金像。”

19 尼布甲尼撒怒气填胸,向沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌大发雷霆,下令将火窑烧得比平时热七倍, 20 又命令军中的勇士将沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌绑起来,扔进烈焰熊熊的火窑。 21 这三人穿着外袍、裤子等衣物,戴着头巾,被绑着扔进烈焰熊熊的火窑。 22 因为王的命令紧急,窑烧得非常热,火焰烧死了那些抬沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的人。 23 沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌三人被绑着落入烈焰熊熊的火窑。

24 这时,尼布甲尼撒王惊奇地跳起来,问谋士:“我们绑起来扔进火里的不是三个人吗?”他们答道:“王啊,是的。” 25 王说:“看啊,我见有四个人在火中走来走去,没有被绑着,也没有被烧伤,第四个人的面貌好像神明的儿子。”

26 于是,尼布甲尼撒走近火窑的门,喊道:“至高上帝的仆人沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌啊,出来吧,到这里来吧。”沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌便从火中出来。 27 那些总督、行政官、省长和王的谋士上前围观,见火焰没有烧伤他们的身体,他们的头发没有烧焦,衣服没有烧坏,身上甚至没有火燎的气味。 28 尼布甲尼撒说:“沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的上帝当受称颂!祂差遣天使拯救那些信靠祂的仆人。他们无视王命,宁肯死也不供奉、祭拜其他神明。 29 现在我下令,不论何民、何邦、何族,若毁谤沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的上帝,必被碎尸万段,他们的家必沦为废墟,因为没有别的神明能这样施行拯救。” 30 于是,王让沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌在巴比伦省身居高位。

王制造金像并下令全国敬拜

尼布甲尼撒王造了一座金像,高二十七公尺,宽三公尺,竖立在巴比伦省的杜拉平原上。 尼布甲尼撒王派人召集总督、总监、省长、参谋、财政大臣、法官、裁判官和各省所有的官员,要他们参加尼布甲尼撒王为所立的像举行的揭幕典礼。 于是总督、总监、省长、参谋、财政大臣、法官、裁判官和省内所有其他的官员,都聚集起来,参加尼布甲尼撒王为所立的像举行的揭幕典礼;他们都站在尼布甲尼撒所立的像前。 那时,传令官大声呼叫说:“各国、各族、说各种语言的人哪!这是传给你们的命令: 你们一听见角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、竖琴、风笛和各种乐器的声音,就要俯伏,向尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像下拜。 凡不俯伏下拜的,就必立刻扔在烈火的窑中。” 因此,各国、各族和说各种语言的人,一听见角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、竖琴和各种乐器的声音,就都俯伏,向尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像下拜。

迦勒底人指控但以理之三友

那时,有几个迦勒底人前来,诬蔑控告犹大人。 他们对尼布甲尼撒王说:“愿王万岁! 10 王啊,你曾下令,凡听见角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、竖琴、风笛和各种乐器声音的人,都要俯伏,向金像下拜。 11 凡不俯伏下拜的,就必被扔在烈火的窑中。 12 但有几个犹大人,就是王所派管理巴比伦省政务的沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌,王啊!这些人不理会你的命令,不事奉你的神,也不向你所立的金像下拜。”

王怒责三人

13 当时尼布甲尼撒勃然大怒,吩咐人把沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌带来;他们就被带到王面前。 14 尼布甲尼撒问他们说:“沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌啊!你们真的不事奉我的神,也不向我所立的金像下拜吗? 15 现在,如果你们想清楚,一听见角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、竖琴、风笛和各种乐器的声音,就俯伏向我所做的像下拜,那还可以。如果你们不下拜,就必立刻扔在烈火的窑中。哪里有神能救你们脱离我的手呢?”

拒绝拜金像

16 沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌回答王说:“尼布甲尼撒啊!这件事我们无需回答你。 17 如果我们被扔在火窑里,我们所事奉的 神必能拯救我们;王啊!他必拯救我们脱离烈火的窑和你的手。(本节或译:“如果我们所事奉的 神能拯救我们,王啊!他必拯救我们脱离烈火的窑和你的手。”) 18 即或不然,王啊!你要知道,我们决不事奉你的神,也不向你所立的金像下拜。”

三人在烈火的窑中毫无损伤

19 当时尼布甲尼撒向沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌大发烈怒,连脸色也变了,吩咐人把窑烧热,比平常猛烈七倍。 20 又吩咐他军队中几个最精壮的士兵,把沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌绑起来,扔在烈火的窑中。 21 于是这三个人穿著外袍、长裤、头巾和身上其他的衣服,被绑起来,扔在烈火的窑中。 22 由于王的命令紧急,窑又烧得非常猛烈,那些把沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌抬起来的人,都被火焰烧死了。 23 而沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌这三个人仍被绑着,落入烈火的窑中。

王见神迹就称颂 神

24 那时尼布甲尼撒王非常惊奇,急忙起来,问他的谋臣说:“我们绑起来扔在火里的,不是三个人吗?”他们回答王说:“王啊!是的。” 25 王说:“但我见有四个人,并没有绑着,在火中走来走去,也没有受伤,并且那第四个的样貌好象神子。” 26 于是尼布甲尼撒走近烈火的窑口,说:“至高 神的仆人沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌啊!你们出来,到这里来吧。”沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌就从火中出来。 27 那些总督、总监、省长和王的谋臣,都聚拢来看这三个人,见火无力伤他们的身体;他们的头发没有烧焦,衣服没有烧坏,身上也没有火烧的气味。

28 尼布甲尼撒说:“沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的 神是应当称颂的,他差遣使者拯救那些倚靠他的仆人;他们违抗王的命令,宁愿舍命,除了自己的 神以外,不肯事奉敬拜任何其他的神。 29 我现在下令:无论各国、各族、说各种语言的人,凡说话得罪沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的 神的,必被碎尸万段,他的家也必成为废墟,因为没有别的神能这样施行拯救。” 30 于是王在巴比伦省提升了沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌。

The Image of Gold and the Blazing Furnace

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. 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. 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.

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language,(D) this is what you are commanded to do: 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) Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”(H)

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)

At this time some astrologers[b](J) came forward and denounced the Jews. 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)

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

金像和火窑

尼布甲尼撒王造了一尊高二十七米、宽二点七米的金像,立在巴比伦省的杜拉平原。 他派人召集总督、行政官、省长、谋士、库房官、审判官、司法官及各省的所有官员,前来参加他所立之像的奉献礼。 于是总督、行政官、省长、谋士、库房官、审判官、司法官及各省的官员齐来参加尼布甲尼撒王所立之像的奉献礼,站在那像面前。

传令官大声宣布说:“各族、各邦、各语种的人啊,王有令, ‘你们一听见角、笛、弦琴、竖琴、瑟、笙等各种乐器奏响,就要叩拜尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像。 不叩拜的人必立刻被抛进烈焰熊熊的火窑。’” 于是,各族、各邦、各语种的人一听见角、笛、弦琴、竖琴、瑟等各种乐器的声音,就都叩拜尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像。

那时,有几个占星家前来控告犹大人。 他们对尼布甲尼撒王说:“愿王万岁! 10 王啊,你曾下令,角、笛、弦琴、竖琴、瑟、笙等各种乐器一奏响,每个人都要叩拜金像。 11 不叩拜的人必被扔进烈焰熊熊的火窑。 12 然而,王啊,有几个犹大人,就是王委派负责巴比伦省事务的沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌,却不理会你的命令,不事奉你的神明,也不祭拜你立的金像。” 13 尼布甲尼撒王勃然大怒,下令将沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌带来。于是他们被带到王面前。 14 尼布甲尼撒问他们:“沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌啊,你们真的不事奉我的神明,不祭拜我立的金像吗? 15 现在你们准备好,一听见角、笛、弦琴、竖琴、瑟、笙等各种乐器的声音,就要叩拜我造的像。不然,必立刻将你们扔进烈焰熊熊的火窑。那时什么神明能从我手中救你们呢?”

16 沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌答道:“尼布甲尼撒啊,我们无需为此事回答你。 17 王啊,我们若真被扔进烈焰熊熊的火窑,我们所事奉的上帝必能救我们脱离火窑,祂必从你手中救我们。 18 即或不然,王啊,你要明白,我们也不会事奉你的神明或祭拜你立的金像。”

19 尼布甲尼撒怒气填胸,向沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌大发雷霆,下令将火窑烧得比平时热七倍, 20 又命令军中的勇士将沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌绑起来,扔进烈焰熊熊的火窑。 21 这三人穿着外袍、裤子等衣物,戴着头巾,被绑着扔进烈焰熊熊的火窑。 22 因为王的命令紧急,窑烧得非常热,火焰烧死了那些抬沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的人。 23 沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌三人被绑着落入烈焰熊熊的火窑。

24 这时,尼布甲尼撒王惊奇地跳起来,问谋士:“我们绑起来扔进火里的不是三个人吗?”他们答道:“王啊,是的。” 25 王说:“看啊,我见有四个人在火中走来走去,没有被绑着,也没有被烧伤,第四个人的面貌好像神明的儿子。”

26 于是,尼布甲尼撒走近火窑的门,喊道:“至高上帝的仆人沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌啊,出来吧,到这里来吧。”沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌便从火中出来。 27 那些总督、行政官、省长和王的谋士上前围观,见火焰没有烧伤他们的身体,他们的头发没有烧焦,衣服没有烧坏,身上甚至没有火燎的气味。 28 尼布甲尼撒说:“沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的上帝当受称颂!祂差遣天使拯救那些信靠祂的仆人。他们无视王命,宁肯死也不供奉、祭拜其他神明。 29 现在我下令,不论何民、何邦、何族,若毁谤沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的上帝,必被碎尸万段,他们的家必沦为废墟,因为没有别的神明能这样施行拯救。” 30 于是,王让沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌在巴比伦省身居高位。

王制造金像并下令全国敬拜

尼布甲尼撒王造了一座金像,高二十七公尺,宽三公尺,竖立在巴比伦省的杜拉平原上。 尼布甲尼撒王派人召集总督、总监、省长、参谋、财政大臣、法官、裁判官和各省所有的官员,要他们参加尼布甲尼撒王为所立的像举行的揭幕典礼。 于是总督、总监、省长、参谋、财政大臣、法官、裁判官和省内所有其他的官员,都聚集起来,参加尼布甲尼撒王为所立的像举行的揭幕典礼;他们都站在尼布甲尼撒所立的像前。 那时,传令官大声呼叫说:“各国、各族、说各种语言的人哪!这是传给你们的命令: 你们一听见角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、竖琴、风笛和各种乐器的声音,就要俯伏,向尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像下拜。 凡不俯伏下拜的,就必立刻扔在烈火的窑中。” 因此,各国、各族和说各种语言的人,一听见角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、竖琴和各种乐器的声音,就都俯伏,向尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像下拜。

迦勒底人指控但以理之三友

那时,有几个迦勒底人前来,诬蔑控告犹大人。 他们对尼布甲尼撒王说:“愿王万岁! 10 王啊,你曾下令,凡听见角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、竖琴、风笛和各种乐器声音的人,都要俯伏,向金像下拜。 11 凡不俯伏下拜的,就必被扔在烈火的窑中。 12 但有几个犹大人,就是王所派管理巴比伦省政务的沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌,王啊!这些人不理会你的命令,不事奉你的神,也不向你所立的金像下拜。”

王怒责三人

13 当时尼布甲尼撒勃然大怒,吩咐人把沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌带来;他们就被带到王面前。 14 尼布甲尼撒问他们说:“沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌啊!你们真的不事奉我的神,也不向我所立的金像下拜吗? 15 现在,如果你们想清楚,一听见角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、竖琴、风笛和各种乐器的声音,就俯伏向我所做的像下拜,那还可以。如果你们不下拜,就必立刻扔在烈火的窑中。哪里有神能救你们脱离我的手呢?”

拒绝拜金像

16 沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌回答王说:“尼布甲尼撒啊!这件事我们无需回答你。 17 如果我们被扔在火窑里,我们所事奉的 神必能拯救我们;王啊!他必拯救我们脱离烈火的窑和你的手。(本节或译:“如果我们所事奉的 神能拯救我们,王啊!他必拯救我们脱离烈火的窑和你的手。”) 18 即或不然,王啊!你要知道,我们决不事奉你的神,也不向你所立的金像下拜。”

三人在烈火的窑中毫无损伤

19 当时尼布甲尼撒向沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌大发烈怒,连脸色也变了,吩咐人把窑烧热,比平常猛烈七倍。 20 又吩咐他军队中几个最精壮的士兵,把沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌绑起来,扔在烈火的窑中。 21 于是这三个人穿著外袍、长裤、头巾和身上其他的衣服,被绑起来,扔在烈火的窑中。 22 由于王的命令紧急,窑又烧得非常猛烈,那些把沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌抬起来的人,都被火焰烧死了。 23 而沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌这三个人仍被绑着,落入烈火的窑中。

王见神迹就称颂 神

24 那时尼布甲尼撒王非常惊奇,急忙起来,问他的谋臣说:“我们绑起来扔在火里的,不是三个人吗?”他们回答王说:“王啊!是的。” 25 王说:“但我见有四个人,并没有绑着,在火中走来走去,也没有受伤,并且那第四个的样貌好象神子。” 26 于是尼布甲尼撒走近烈火的窑口,说:“至高 神的仆人沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌啊!你们出来,到这里来吧。”沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌就从火中出来。 27 那些总督、总监、省长和王的谋臣,都聚拢来看这三个人,见火无力伤他们的身体;他们的头发没有烧焦,衣服没有烧坏,身上也没有火烧的气味。

28 尼布甲尼撒说:“沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的 神是应当称颂的,他差遣使者拯救那些倚靠他的仆人;他们违抗王的命令,宁愿舍命,除了自己的 神以外,不肯事奉敬拜任何其他的神。 29 我现在下令:无论各国、各族、说各种语言的人,凡说话得罪沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的 神的,必被碎尸万段,他的家也必成为废墟,因为没有别的神能这样施行拯救。” 30 于是王在巴比伦省提升了沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌。

The Image of Gold and the Blazing Furnace

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. 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. 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.

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language,(D) this is what you are commanded to do: 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) Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”(H)

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)

At this time some astrologers[b](J) came forward and denounced the Jews. 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)

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