Daniel 3
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)
Footnotes
- Daniel 3:1 Lit statue, its height 60 cubits, its width six cubits
- Daniel 3:5 Or lyre
- Daniel 3:5 Or sambuke
- Daniel 3:5 Or pipe
- Daniel 3:8 Lit and eat the pieces of
- 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.
- Daniel 3:18 Lit But if not
- Daniel 3:21 The identity of these articles of clothing is uncertain.
- Daniel 3:22 Or harsh
- Daniel 3:22 Lit the flame of the fire
- Daniel 3:25 Or of a divine being
- Daniel 3:27 Lit fire had not overcome
- Daniel 3:28 Or messenger
Daniel 3
Reina-Valera Antigua
3 EL rey Nabucodonosor hizo una estatua de oro, la altura de la cual era de sesenta codos, su anchura de seis codos: levantóla en el campo de Dura, en la provincia de Babilonia.
2 Y envió el rey Nabucodonosor á juntar los grandes, los asistentes y capitanes, oidores, receptores, los del consejo, presidentes, y á todos los gobernadores de las provincias, para que viniesen á la dedicación de la estatua que el rey Nabucodonosor había levantado.
3 Fueron pues reunidos los grandes, los asistentes y capitanes, los oidores, receptores, los del consejo, los presidentes, y todos los gobernadores de las provincias, á la dedicación de la estatua que el rey Nabucodonosor había levantado: y estaban en pie delante de la estatua que había levantado el rey Nabucodonosor.
4 Y el pregonero pregonaba en alta voz: Mándase á vosotros, oh pueblos, naciones, y lenguas,
5 En oyendo el son de la bocina, del pífano, del tamboril, del arpa, del salterio, de la zampoña, y de todo instrumento músico, os postraréis y adoraréis la estatua de oro que el rey Nabucodonosor ha levantado:
6 Y cualquiera que no se postrare y adorare, en la misma hora será echado dentro de un horno de fuego ardiendo.
7 Por lo cual, en oyendo todos los pueblos el son de la bocina, del pífano, del tamboril, del arpa, del salterio, de la zampoña, y de todo instrumento músico, todos los pueblos, naciones, y lenguas, se postraron, y adoraron la estatua de oro que el rey Nabucodonosor había levantado.
8 Por esto en el mismo tiempo algunos varones Caldeos se llegaron, y denunciaron de los Judíos.
9 Hablando y diciendo al rey Nabucodonosor: Rey, para siempre vive.
10 Tú, oh rey, pusiste ley que todo hombre en oyendo el son de la bocina, del pífano, del tamboril, del arpa, del salterio, de la zampoña, y de todo instrumento músico, se postrase y adorase la estatua de oro:
11 Y el que no se postrase y adorase, fuese echado dentro de un horno de fuego ardiendo.
12 Hay unos varones Judíos, los cuales pusiste tú sobre los negocios de la provincia de Babilonia; Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego: estos varones, oh rey, no han hecho cuenta de ti; no adoran tus dioses, no adoran la estatua de oro que tú levantaste.
13 Entonces Nabucodonosor dijo con ira y con enojo que trajesen á Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego. Al punto fueron traídos estos varones delante del rey.
14 Habló Nabucodonosor, y díjoles: ¿Es verdad Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego, que vosotros no honráis á mi dios, ni adoráis la estatua de oro que he levantado?
15 Ahora pues, ¿estáis prestos para que en oyendo el son de la bocina, del pífano, del tamboril, del arpa, del salterio, de la zampoña, y de todo instrumento músico, os postréis, y adoréis la estatua que he hecho? Porque si no la adorareis, en la misma hora seréis echados en medio de un horno de fuego ardiendo: ¿y qué dios será aquel que os libre de mis manos?
16 Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego respondieron y dijeron al rey Nabucodonosor: no cuidamos de responderte sobre este negocio.
17 He aquí nuestro Dios á quien honramos, puede librarnos del horno de fuego ardiendo; y de tu mano, oh rey, nos librará.
18 Y si no, sepas, oh rey, que tu dios no adoraremos, ni tampoco honraremos la estatua que has levantado.
19 Entonces Nabucodonosor fué lleno de ira, y demudóse la figura de su rostro sobre Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego: así habló, y ordenó que el horno se encendiese siete veces tanto de lo que cada vez solía.
20 Y mandó á hombres muy vigorosos que tenía en su ejército, que atasen á Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego, para echarlos en el horno de fuego ardiendo.
21 Entonces estos varones fueron atados con sus mantos, y sus calzas, y sus turbantes, y sus vestidos, y fueron echados dentro del horno de fuego ardiendo.
22 Y porque la palabra del rey daba priesa, y había procurado que se encendiese mucho, la llama del fuego mató á aquellos que habían alzado á Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego.
23 Y estos tres varones, Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego, cayeron atados dentro del horno de fuego ardiendo.
24 Entonces el rey Nabucodonosor se espantó, y levantóse apriesa, y habló, y dijo á los de su consejo: ¿No echaron tres varones atados dentro del fuego? Ellos respondieron y dijeron al rey: Es verdad, oh rey.
25 Respondió él y dijo: He aquí que yo veo cuatro varones sueltos, que se pasean en medio del fuego, y ningún daño hay en ellos: y el parecer del cuarto es semejante á hijo de los dioses.
26 Entonces Nabucodonosor se acercó á la puerta del horno de fuego ardiendo, y habló y dijo: Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego, siervos del alto Dios, salid y venid. Entonces Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego, salieron de en medio del fuego.
27 Y juntáronse los grandes, los gobernadores, los capitanes, y los del consejo del rey, para mirar estos varones, como el fuego no se enseñoreó de sus cuerpos, ni cabello de sus cabezas fué quemado, ni sus ropas se mudaron, ni olor de fuego había pasado por ellos.
28 Nabucodonosor habló y dijo: Bendito el Dios de ellos, de Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego, que envió su ángel, y libró sus siervos que esperaron en él, y el mandamiento del rey mudaron, y entregaron sus cuerpos antes que sirviesen ni adorasen otro dios que su Dios.
29 Por mí pues se pone decreto, que todo pueblo, nación, ó lengua, que dijere blasfemia contra el Dios de Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego, sea descuartizado, y su casa sea puesta por muladar; por cuanto no hay dios que pueda librar como éste.
30 Entonces el rey engrandeció á Sadrach, Mesach, y Abed-nego en la provincia de Babilonia.
Daniel 3
New King James Version
The Image of Gold
3 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 Then a herald cried [b]aloud: “To you it is commanded, (A)O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 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; 6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall (B)be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”
7 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
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans (C)came forward and accused the Jews. 9 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
- Daniel 3:1 About 90 feet
- Daniel 3:4 Lit. with strength
- Daniel 3:22 Or harsh
- Daniel 3:24 High officials
- Daniel 3:25 Or a son of the gods
- Daniel 3:26 Lit. door
- Daniel 3:28 Or angel
- Daniel 3:30 Lit. caused to prosper
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
