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王製造金像並下令全國敬拜

尼布甲尼撒王造了一座金像,高二十七公尺,寬三公尺,豎立在巴比倫省的杜拉平原上。 尼布甲尼撒王派人召集總督、總監、省長、參謀、財政大臣、法官、裁判官和各省所有的官員,要他們參加尼布甲尼撒王為所立的像舉行的揭幕典禮。 於是總督、總監、省長、參謀、財政大臣、法官、裁判官和省內所有其他的官員,都聚集起來,參加尼布甲尼撒王為所立的像舉行的揭幕典禮;他們都站在尼布甲尼撒所立的像前。 那時,傳令官大聲呼叫說:“各國、各族、說各種語言的人哪!這是傳給你們的命令: 你們一聽見角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、豎琴、風笛和各種樂器的聲音,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窯中。” 因此,各國、各族和說各種語言的人,一聽見角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、豎琴和各種樂器的聲音,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

那時,有幾個迦勒底人前來,誣衊控告猶大人。 他們對尼布甲尼撒王說:“願王萬歲! 10 王啊,你曾下令,凡聽見角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、豎琴、風笛和各種樂器聲音的人,都要俯伏,向金像下拜。 11 凡不俯伏下拜的,就必被扔在烈火的窯中。 12 但有幾個猶大人,就是王所派管理巴比倫省政務的沙得拉、米煞和亞伯尼歌,王啊!這些人不理會你的命令,不事奉你的神,也不向你所立的金像下拜。”

王怒責三人

13 當時尼布甲尼撒勃然大怒,吩咐人把沙得拉、米煞和亞伯尼歌帶來;他們就被帶到王面前。 14 尼布甲尼撒問他們說:“沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌啊!你們真的不事奉我的神,也不向我所立的金像下拜嗎? 15 現在,如果你們想清楚,一聽見角、笛、琵琶、弦琴、豎琴、風笛和各種樂器的聲音,就俯伏向我所做的像下拜,那還可以。如果你們不下拜,就必立刻扔在烈火的窯中。哪裡有神能救你們脫離我的手呢?”

拒絕拜金像

16 沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌回答王說:“尼布甲尼撒啊!這件事我們無需回答你。 17 如果我們被扔在火窯裡,我們所事奉的 神必能拯救我們;王啊!他必拯救我們脫離烈火的窯和你的手。(本節或譯:“如果我們所事奉的 神能拯救我們,王啊!他必拯救我們脫離烈火的窯和你的手。”) 18 即或不然,王啊!你要知道,我們決不事奉你的神,也不向你所立的金像下拜。”

三人在烈火的窯中毫無損傷

19 當時尼布甲尼撒向沙得拉、米煞和亞伯尼歌大發烈怒,連臉色也變了,吩咐人把窯燒熱,比平常猛烈七倍。 20 又吩咐他軍隊中幾個最精壯的士兵,把沙得拉、米煞和亞伯尼歌綁起來,扔在烈火的窯中。 21 於是這三個人穿著外袍、長褲、頭巾和身上其他的衣服,被綁起來,扔在烈火的窯中。 22 由於王的命令緊急,窯又燒得非常猛烈,那些把沙得拉、米煞和亞伯尼歌抬起來的人,都被火燄燒死了。 23 而沙得拉、米煞和亞伯尼歌這三個人仍被綁著,落入烈火的窯中。

王見神蹟就稱頌 神

24 那時尼布甲尼撒王非常驚奇,急忙起來,問他的謀臣說:“我們綁起來扔在火裡的,不是三個人嗎?”他們回答王說:“王啊!是的。” 25 王說:“但我見有四個人,並沒有綁著,在火中走來走去,也沒有受傷,並且那第四個的樣貌好像神子。” 26 於是尼布甲尼撒走近烈火的窯口,說:“至高 神的僕人沙得拉、米煞和亞伯尼歌啊!你們出來,到這裡來吧。”沙得拉、米煞和亞伯尼歌就從火中出來。 27 那些總督、總監、省長和王的謀臣,都聚攏來看這三個人,見火無力傷他們的身體;他們的頭髮沒有燒焦,衣服沒有燒壞,身上也沒有火燒的氣味。

28 尼布甲尼撒說:“沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌的 神是應當稱頌的,他差遣使者拯救那些倚靠他的僕人;他們違抗王的命令,寧願捨命,除了自己的 神以外,不肯事奉敬拜任何其他的神。 29 我現在下令:無論各國、各族、說各種語言的人,凡說話得罪沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌的 神的,必被碎屍萬段,他的家也必成為廢墟,因為沒有別的神能這樣施行拯救。” 30 於是王在巴比倫省提升了沙得拉、米煞和亞伯尼歌。

The Image of Gold

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was [a]sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then a herald cried [b]aloud: “To you it is commanded, (A)O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall (B)be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”

So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Daniel’s Friends Disobey the King

Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans (C)came forward and accused the Jews. They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, (D)“O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 (E)There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have (F)not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in (G)rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, (H)good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. (I)And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, (J)we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our (K)God whom we serve is able to (L)deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we (M)worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Saved in Fiery Trial

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king’s command was [c]urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his [d]counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”

They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”

25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, (N)walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like (O)the[e] Son of God.”

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the [f]mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the (P)Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men (Q)on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His (R)Angel[g] and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 (S)Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the (T)God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be (U)cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; (V)because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”

30 Then the king [h]promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 3:1 About 90 feet
  2. Daniel 3:4 Lit. with strength
  3. Daniel 3:22 Or harsh
  4. Daniel 3:24 High officials
  5. Daniel 3:25 Or a son of the gods
  6. Daniel 3:26 Lit. door
  7. Daniel 3:28 Or angel
  8. Daniel 3:30 Lit. caused to prosper

King Nabuchodonosor made a statue of gold, of sixty cubits high, and six cubits broad, and he set it up in the plain of Dura of the province of Babylon.

Then Nabuchodonosor the king sent to call together the nobles, the magistrates, and the judges, the captains, the rulers, and governors, and all the chief men of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up.

Then the nobles, the magistrates, and the judges, the captains, and rulers, and the great men that were placed in authority, and all the princes of the provinces, were gathered together to come to the dedication of the statue, which king Nabuchodonosor had set up. And they stood before the statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up.

Then a herald cried with a strong voice: To you it is commanded, O nations, tribes, and languages:

That in the hour that you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, and of the flute, and of the harp, of the sackbut, and of the psaltery, and of the symphony, and of all kind of music; ye fall down and adore the golden statue which king Nabuchodonosor hath set up.

But if any man shall not fall down and adore, he shall the same hour be cast into a furnace of burning fire.

Upon this therefore, at the time when all the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the flute, and the harp, of the sackbut, and the psaltery, of the symphony, and of all kind of music: all the nations, tribes, and languages fell down and adored the golden statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up.

And presently at that very time some Chaldeans came and accused the Jews,

And said to king Nabuchodonosor: O king, live for ever:

10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree that every man that shall hear the sound of the trumpet, the flute, and the harp, of the sackbut, and the psaltery, of the symphony, and of all kind of music, shall prostrate himself, and adore the golden statue:

11 And that if any man shall not fall down and adore, he should be cast into a furnace of burning fire.

12 Now there are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the works of the province of Babylon, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago: these men, O king, have slighted thy decree: they worship not thy gods, nor do they adore the golden statue which thou hast set up.

13 Then Nabuchodonosor in fury, and in wrath, commanded that Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago should be brought: who immediately were brought before the king.

14 And Nabuchodonosor the king spoke to them, and said: Is it true, O Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, that you do not worship my gods, nor adore the golden statue that I have set up?

15 Now therefore if you be ready at what hour soever you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, harp, sackbut, and psaltery, and symphony, and of all kind of music, prostrate yourselves, and adore the statue which I have made: but if you do not adore, you shall be cast the same hour into the furnace of burning fire: and who is the God that shall deliver you out of my hand?

16 Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago answered and said to king Nabuchodonosor: We have no occasion to answer thee concerning this matter.

17 For behold our God, whom we worship, is able to save us from the furnace of burning fire, and to deliver us out of thy hands, O king.

18 But if he will not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not worship thy gods, nor adore the golden statue which thou hast set up.

19 Then was Nabuchodonosor filled with fury: and the countenance of his face was changed against Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and he commanded that the furnace should be heated seven times more than it had been accustomed to be heated.

20 And he commanded the strongest men that were in his army, to bind the feet of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and to cast them into the furnace of burning fire.

21 And immediately these men were bound and were cast into the furnace of burning fire, with their coats, and their caps, and their shoes, and their garments.

22 For the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace was heated exceedingly. And the flame of the fire slew those men that had cast in Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago.

23 But these three men, that is, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, fell down bound in the midst of the furnace of burning fire.

24 And they walked in the midst of the flame, praising God and blessing the Lord.

25 Then Azarias standing up prayed in this manner, and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said:

26 Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and thy name is worthy of praise, and glorious for ever:

27 For thou art just in all that thou hast done to us, and all thy works are true, and thy ways right, and all thy judgments true.

28 For thou hast executed true judgments in all the things that thou hast brought upon us, and upon Jerusalem the holy city of our fathers: for according to truth and judgment, thou hast brought all these things upon us for our sins.

29 For we have sinned, and committed iniquity, departing from thee: and we have trespassed in all things:

30 And we have not hearkened to thy commandments, nor have we observed nor done as thou hadst commanded us, that it might go well with us.

31 Wherefore all that thou hast brought upon us, and every thing that thou hast done to us, thou hast done in true judgment:

32 And thou hast delivered us into the hands of our enemies that are unjust, and most wicked, and prevaricators, and to a king unjust, and most wicked beyond all that are upon the earth.

33 And now we cannot open our mouths: we are become a shame and reproach to thy servants, and to them that worship thee.

34 Deliver us not up for ever, we beseech thee, for thy name's sake, and abolish not thy covenant.

35 And take not away thy mercy from us for the sake of Abraham thy beloved, and Isaac thy servant, and Israel thy holy one:

36 To whom thou hast spoken, promising that thou wouldst multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is on the sea shore.

37 For we, O Lord, are diminished more than any nation, and are brought low in all the earth this day for our sins.

38 Neither is there at this time prince, or leader, or prophet, or holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of firstfruits before thee,

39 That we may find thy mercy: nevertheless in a contrite heart and humble spirit let us be accepted.

40 As in holocausts of rams, and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be made in thy sight this day, that it may please thee: for there is no confusion to them that trust in thee.

41 And now we follow thee with all our heart, and we fear thee, and seek thy face.

42 Put us not to confusion, but deal. with us according to thy meekness, and according to the multitude of thy mercies.

43 And deliver us according to thy wonderful works, and give glory to thy name, O Lord:

44 And let all them be confounded that shew evils to thy servants, let them be confounded in all thy might, and let their strength be broken.

45 And let them know that thou art the Lord, the only God, and glorious over all the world.

46 Now the king's servants that had cast them in, ceased not to heat the furnace with brimstone, and tow, and pitch, and dry sticks,

47 And the flame mounted up above the furnace nine and forty cubits:

48 And it broke forth, and burnt such of the Chaldeans as it found near the furnace.

49 But the angel of the Lord went down with Azarias and his companions into the furnace: and he drove the flame of the fire out of the furnace,

50 And made the midst of the furnace like the blowing of a wind bringing dew, and the fire touched them not at all, nor troubled them, nor did them any harm.

51 Then these three as with one mouth praised, and glorified, and blessed God in the furnace, saying:

52 Blessed art thou, O Lord the God of our fathers: and worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever: and blessed is the holy name of thy glory: and worthy to be praised, and exalted above all in all ages.

53 Blessed art thou in the holy temple of thy glory: and exceedingly to be praised, and exceeding glorious for ever.

54 Blessed art thou on the throne of thy kingdom, and exceedingly to be praised, and exalted above all for ever.

55 Blessed art thou, that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and worthy to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

56 Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: and worthy of praise, and glorious for ever.

57 All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

58 O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

59 O ye heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

60 O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all for ever.

61 O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

62 O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

63 O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

64 O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

65 O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

66 O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

67 O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

68 O ye dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

69 O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

70 O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

71 O ye nights and days, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

72 O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

73 O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

74 O let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt him above all for ever.

75 O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

76 O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

77 O ye fountains, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

78 O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

79 O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

80 O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

81 O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

82 O ye sons of men, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all for ever.

83 O let Israel bless the Lord: let them praise and exalt him above all for ever.

84 O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

85 O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

86 O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

87 O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

88 O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. For he hath delivered us from hell, and saved us out of the hand of death, and delivered us out of the midst of the burning flame, and saved us out of the midst of the fire.

89 O give thanks to the Lord, because he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever and ever.

90 O all ye religious, bless the Lord the God of gods: praise him and give him thanks, because his mercy endureth for ever and ever.

91 Then Nabuchodonosor the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and said to his nobles: Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered the king, and said: True, O king.

92 He answered, and said: Behold I see four men loose, and walking in the midst of the fire, and there is no hurt in them, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

93 Then Nabuchodonosor came to the door of the burning fiery furnace, and said: Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, ye servants of the most high God, go ye forth, and come. And immediately Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago went out from the midst of the fire.

94 And the nobles, and the magistrates, and the judges, and the great men of the king being gathered together, considered these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies, and that not a hair of their head had been singed, nor their garments altered, nor the smell of the fire had passed on them.

95 Then Nabuchodonosor breaking forth, said: Blessed be the God of them, to wit, of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that believed in him: and they changed the king's word, and delivered up their bodies that they might not serve, nor adore any god, except their own God.

96 By me therefore this decree is made, that every people, tribe, and tongue, which shall speak blasphemy against the God of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, shall be destroyed, and their houses laid waste: for there is no other God that can save in this manner.

97 Then the king promoted Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, in the province of Babylon.

98 Nabuchodonosor the king, to all peoples, nations, and tongues, that dwell in all the earth, peace be multiplied unto you.

99 The most high God hath wrought signs and wonders toward me. It hath seemed good to me therefore to publish

100 His signs, because they are great: and his wonders, because they are mighty: and his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, I and his power to all generations.