但以理书 3
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
王製造金像並下令全國敬拜
3 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。 2 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。 3 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。 4 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： 5 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。 6 凡不俯伏下拜的，就必立刻扔在烈火的窯中。” 7 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
8 那時，有幾個迦勒底人前來，誣衊控告猶大人。 9 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。
Daniel 3
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 3
The Fiery Furnace. 1 King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue made, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, which he set up in the plain of Dura[a] in the province of Babylon. 2 He then ordered the satraps,[b] prefects, and governors, the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the officials of the provinces to be summoned to the dedication of the statue which he had set up. 3 The satraps, prefects, and governors, the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the officials of the provinces came together for the dedication and stood before the statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 A herald cried out: “Nations and peoples of every language, 5 [c]when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, dulcimer, harp, double-flute, and all the other musical instruments, you must fall down and worship the golden statue which King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be instantly cast into a white-hot furnace.” 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, dulcimer, harp, double-flute, and all the other musical instruments, the nations and peoples of every language all fell down and worshiped the golden statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 At that point, some of the Chaldeans came and accused the Jews 9 to King Nebuchadnezzar: “O king, live forever! 10 O king, you issued a decree that everyone who heard the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, dulcimer, harp, and double-flute, and all the other musical instruments should fall down and worship the golden statue; 11 whoever did not was to be cast into a white-hot furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have made administrators of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have paid no attention to you; they will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up.”
13 Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and sent for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were promptly brought before the king. 14 King Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? 15 Now, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I made, whenever you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, dulcimer, harp, double-flute, and all the other musical instruments, then all will be well;[d] if not, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God who can deliver you out of my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If our God, whom we serve, can save us[e] from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! 18 But even if he will not, you should know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up.”
19 Nebuchadnezzar’s face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual 20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace. 21 They were bound and cast into the white-hot furnace with their trousers, shirts, hats and other garments, 22 for the king’s order was urgent. So huge a fire was kindled in the furnace that the flames devoured the men who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into it. 23 But these three fell, bound, into the midst of the white-hot furnace.
Prayer of Azariah.[f] 24 They walked about in the flames, singing to God and blessing the Lord. 25 Azariah[g] stood up in the midst of the fire and prayed aloud:
26 “Blessed are you, and praiseworthy,
O Lord, the God of our ancestors,
and glorious forever is your name.
27 For you are just in all you have done;
all your deeds are faultless, all your ways right,
and all your judgments proper.
28 You have executed proper judgments
in all that you have brought upon us
and upon Jerusalem, the holy city of our ancestors.
By a proper judgment you have done all this
because of our sins;
29 For we have sinned and transgressed
by departing from you,
and we have done every kind of evil.
30 Your commandments we have not heeded or observed,
nor have we done as you ordered us for our good.
31 Therefore all you have brought upon us,
all you have done to us,
you have done by a proper judgment.
32 You have handed us over to our enemies,
lawless and hateful rebels;
to an unjust king, the worst in all the world.
33 Now we cannot open our mouths;
shame and reproach have come upon us,
your servants, who revere you.
34 For your name’s sake, do not deliver us up forever,
or make void your covenant.
35 Do not take away your mercy from us,
for the sake of Abraham, your beloved,
Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,
36 To whom you promised to multiply their offspring
like the stars of heaven,
or the sand on the shore of the sea.
37 For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation,
brought low everywhere in the world this day
because of our sins.
38 We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader,
no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense,
no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you.
39 But with contrite heart and humble spirit
let us be received;
As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bulls,
or tens of thousands of fat lambs,
40 So let our sacrifice be in your presence today
and find favor before you;
for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame.
41 And now we follow you with our whole heart,
we fear you and we seek your face.
Do not put us to shame,
42 but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.
43 Deliver us in accord with your wonders,
and bring glory to your name, O Lord:
44 Let all those be put to shame
who inflict evils on your servants;
Let them be shamed and powerless,
and their strength broken;
45 Let them know that you alone are the Lord God,
glorious over the whole world.”
46 Now the king’s servants who had thrown them in continued to stoke the furnace with naphtha, pitch, tow, and brush. 47 The flames rose forty-nine cubits above the furnace, 48 and spread out, burning the Chaldeans that it caught around the furnace. 49 But the angel of the Lord went down into the furnace with Azariah and his companions, drove the fiery flames out of the furnace, 50 and made the inside of the furnace as though a dew-laden breeze were blowing through it. The fire in no way touched them or caused them pain or harm. 51 Then these three in the furnace with one voice sang, glorifying and blessing God:
52 “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our ancestors,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
53 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
54 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
55 Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
56 Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever.
57 Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.
58 Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.
59 You heavens, bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.(A)
60 All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.
61 All you powers, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
62 Sun and moon, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
63 Stars of heaven, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
64 Every shower and dew, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
65 All you winds, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
66 Fire and heat, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
67 Cold and chill, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
68 Dew and rain, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
69 Frost and chill, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
70 Hoarfrost and snow, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
71 Nights and days, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
72 Light and darkness, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
73 Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
74 Let the earth bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.
75 Mountains and hills, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
76 Everything growing on earth, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
77 You springs, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
78 Seas and rivers, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
79 You sea monsters and all water creatures, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
80 All you birds of the air, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
81 All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
82 All you mortals, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
83 O Israel, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
84 Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
85 Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
86 Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
87 Holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
88 Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
For he has delivered us from Sheol,
and saved us from the power of death;
He has freed us from the raging flame
and delivered us from the fire.
89 Give thanks to the Lord, who is good,
whose mercy endures forever.
90 Bless the God of gods, all you who fear the Lord;
praise and give thanks,
for his mercy endures forever.”
Deliverance from the Furnace. 91 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was startled and rose in haste, asking his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Certainly, O king,” they answered. 92 “But,” he replied, “I see four men unbound and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” 93 Then Nebuchadnezzar came to the opening of the white-hot furnace and called: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out.” Thereupon Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. 94 When the satraps, prefects, governors, and counselors of the king came together, they saw that the fire had had no power over the bodies of these men; not a hair of their heads had been singed, nor were their garments altered; there was not even a smell of fire about them. 95 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 96 Therefore I decree for nations and peoples of every language that whoever blasphemes the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut to pieces and his house made into a refuse heap. For there is no other God who can rescue like this.” 97 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
98 [h]King Nebuchadnezzar to the nations and peoples of every language, wherever they dwell on earth: May your peace abound! 99 It has seemed good to me to publish the signs and wonders which the Most High God has accomplished in my regard.
100 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders;
his kingship is an everlasting kingship,
and his dominion endures through all generations.(B)
Footnotes
- 3:1 Dura: several places in Babylonia bore this name. Probably the present reference is to one located close to Babylon. Giant statues of the type mentioned here were not uncommon in antiquity; a cubit was about a foot and a half. The unrealistic proportions of this statue suggest a comic effect.
- 3:2 Satraps: Persian provincial governors.
- 3:5 The precise identification of the instruments is disputed. Several of the names are Greek.
- 3:15 Then all will be well: lacking in Aramaic; this phrase is supplied from the context.
- 3:17 If our God…can save us: the youths do not question the efficacy of the divine power, but whether it will be exercised (v. 18).
- 3:24–90 These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures.
- 3:25 Azariah: i.e., Abednego; cf. Dn 1:7.
- 3:98–4:34 This section has the form of a letter written by Nebuchadnezzar to his subjects.
Daniel 3
Expanded Bible
The Gold Idol and Blazing Furnace
3 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ·ninety feet [L sixty cubits] high and ·nine feet [L six cubits] wide [C unclear whether the statue was of Nebuchadnezzar or a Babylonian god like Marduk] and set it up on the plain of Dura [C from a Babylonian word meaning “wall” or “fortress”] in the ·area [L province] of Babylon. 2 Then he ·called for the leaders: [L …sent for] the ·governors [satraps], ·assistant governors [prefects], ·captains of the soldiers [governors], ·people who advised the king [counselors], ·keepers of the treasury [treasurers], ·judges [justices], ·rulers [magistrates], and all other officers ·in his kingdom [L of the provinces]. He wanted them to ·come [assemble] ·to the special service for [for the dedication of] the statue he had set up. 3 So ·they all [L the satraps, prefects, governors, counselors, treasurers, justices, magistrates, and all other officers of the provinces] came for the ·special service [dedication] and stood in front of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then the herald [C someone who made royal announcements] said in a loud voice, “People, nations, and those of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 When you hear the sound of the horns, flutes, lyres, zithers [C a string instrument], harps, pipes, and all the other musical instruments, you must ·bow [L fall] down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Anyone who doesn’t ·bow [L fall] down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
7 Now people, nations, and those who spoke every language were there. When they heard the sound of the horns, flutes, lyres, zithers [v. 5], pipes, and all the other musical instruments, they ·bowed [L fell] down and worshiped the gold statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 Then some ·Babylonians [L Chaldeans] came up to the king and ·began speaking against [denounced; L ate pieces of] the men of Judah. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10 O king, you ·gave a command [L set a decree] that everyone who heard the horns, lyres, zithers [v. 5], harps, pipes, and all the other musical instruments would have to ·bow [L fall] down and worship the gold statue. 11 Anyone who wouldn’t ·do this [L fall down and worship] was to be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 O king, there are some men of Judah whom you ·made officers in [L appointed/delegated over] the ·area [province] of Babylon that did not pay attention to your order. Their names are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They do not serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”
13 Nebuchadnezzar ·became very angry [flew into a rage] and called for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When they were brought to the king, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods nor worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 In a moment you will again hear the sound of the horns, flutes, lyres, zithers [v. 5], harps, pipes, and all the other musical instruments. If you ·bow [L fall] down and worship the statue I made, that will be good. But if you do not worship it, you will immediately be thrown into the blazing furnace. What god will be able to ·save [rescue; deliver] you from my ·power [L hands] then?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, saying, “Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves to you. 17 If you throw us into the blazing furnace, the God we ·serve [L fear; Prov. 1:7] is able to save us from the furnace. He will save us from your ·power [L hand], O king. 18 But even if God does not save us, we want you, O king, to know this: We will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up [Ex. 20:3–6].”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and ·he changed his mind [or his appearance changed; L his image/visage of his face changed]. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he commanded some of the ·strongest soldiers in his army [L men mighty in strength] to ·tie up [bind] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
21 So ·Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego [L the men] were ·tied up [bound] and thrown into the blazing furnace while still wearing their ·robes [tunics], trousers, turbans, and other clothes. 22 The king’s command was ·very strict [urgent], and the furnace was made so hot that the flames killed the strong soldiers who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the furnace. 23 Firmly tied, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was so surprised that he ·jumped to his feet [rose up in haste]. He asked the men who advised him, “Didn’t we tie up only three men and throw them into the fire?”
They answered, “·Yes [True], O king.”
25 The king said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire. They are not ·tied [bound] up, and they are not ·burned [hurt]. The fourth man looks like a son of the gods [C a divine figure].”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar ·went to [approached] the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, come out! Servants of the Most High God, come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. 27 When they came out, the ·governors [satraps], ·assistant governors [prefects], ·captains of the soldiers [governors], and ·royal advisers [counselors] crowded around them and saw that the fire had ·not harmed [L no power over] their bodies. Their hair was not ·burned [singed], their ·robes [tunics] were not burned, and they didn’t even smell like smoke!
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “·Praise [Blessed be] the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their God has sent his ·angel [or messenger] and ·saved [rescued; delivered] his servants from the fire! These three men trusted their God and ·refused to obey [defied] ·my [L the king’s] command. They were willing to ·die [L forfeit/yield up their bodies] rather than serve or worship any god other than their own God. 29 So I now give this ·command [decree]: Anyone from any nation or ·language [L tongue] who says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be torn ·apart [limb from limb] and have his house turned into a pile of stones [2:5; Ezra 6:11]. No other god can ·save [rescue; deliver] his people like this.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the ·area [province] of Babylon.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.