Daniel 6
New Catholic Bible
Daniel in the Lions’ Den[a]
Chapter 6
The Plot against Daniel. 1 Darius the Mede succeeded Belshazzar as king, at the age of sixty-two. 2 It pleased Darius to appoint one hundred and twenty satraps to rule throughout his kingdom.[b] 3 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.
4 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. 5 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. 6 Therefore, they concluded, “We shall never find any basis to lodge a complaint against Daniel unless it is in connection with his God.”
7 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! 8 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. 9 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
- 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).
- Daniel 6:2 The division of the empire into satraps was effected by Darius I of Persia in 521 B.C.
- Daniel 6:11 The verse tells us how a fervent Jew prayed: three times a day, facing toward Jerusalem.
Даниил 6
Библия, синодално издание
6 Угодно бе на Дария да постави над царството сто и двайсет сатрапа, за да бъдат в цялото царство,
2 а над тях трима князе, – един от които беше Даниил, – за да дават сатрапите тям сметка, и да не бъде царят никак претоварен.
3 (A)Даниил надминаваше другите князе и сатрапи, защото в него имаше висок дух, и царят кроеше вече да го постави над цялото царство.
4 (B)Тогава князете и сатрапите затърсиха предлог да обвинят Даниила по управлението на царството, ала никакъв предлог, ни погрешка не можаха да намерят, защото той беше верен, и никаква погрешка или вина не се намираше в него.
5 (C)И тия люде казаха: „ние не ще намерим предлог против Даниила, ако го не намерим против него в закона на неговия Бог“.
6 Тогава тия князе и сатрапи отидоха при царя и му казаха тъй: „цар Дарие, жив да си вовеки!
7 Всички князе на царството, наместници, сатрапи, съветници и военачалници се съгласиха помежду си, да се издаде царска наредба и да излезе заповед: който през трийсет дена се моли на кой и да било бог или човек, освен на тебе, царю, него да хвърлят в лъвовата яма.
8 (D)И тъй, утвърди, царю, това решение и подпиши повелята, за да бъде неизменна, като закон мидийски и персийски, и да не бъде нарушена“.
9 Цар Дарий подписа решението и заповедта.
10 (E)А Даниил, като узна, че е подписана такава повеля, отиде у дома си. Прозорците на горницата му бяха отворени към Иерусалим, и той три пъти на ден прекланяше колене и се молеше на своя Бог и Го славословеше, както това си вършеше и понапред.
11 Тогава тия люде издебнаха и намериха Даниила, че се моли и че проси милост пред своя Бог;
12 после отидоха и казаха на царя за царската заповед: „нали ти подписа повеля, че всеки човек, който през трийсет дена се моли на кой и да било бог или човек, освен на тебе, царю, да бъде хвърлен в лъвовата яма?“ Царят отговори и рече: „тая дума е твърда, както законът на мидяни и перси, който не допуска изменения“.
13 Тогава те отговориха и казаха на царя: „Даниил, който е от пленените синове на Иудея, не обръща внимание ни на тебе, царю, ни на повелята, която си подписал, но три пъти на ден се моли със свои молитви“.
14 Царят, като чу това, много се наскърби и тури на сърце да спаси Даниила и дори до заник-слънце твърде залягаше да го избави.
15 Но ония люде дойдоха при царя и му казаха: „знай, царю, че по закона на мидяни и перси никое решение или заповед, утвърдена от царя, не може да бъде изменена“.
16 Тогава царят заповяда, и доведоха Даниила и го хвърлиха в лъвовата яма; при това царят каза на Даниила: „твоят Бог, Комуто неизменно служиш, Той ще те избави!“
17 (F)И донесоха камък, та сложиха върху отвора на ямата, и царят го запечата със своя пръстен и с пръстена на велможите си, за да се не промени нищо в разпоредбата за Даниила.
18 След това царят отиде в двореца си, легна да спи без вечеря и дори не поръча да му донесат храна, и сънят бягаше от него.
19 А на сутринта царят стана взори и бързо се упъти към лъвовата яма;
20 (G)и, като приближи до ямата, с жален глас извика Даниила и му рече: „Данииле, рабе на Бога Живий! Твоят Бог, Комуто неизменно служиш, можа ли да те избави от лъвовете?“
21 Тогава Даниил отговори на царя: „царю, жив да си вовеки!
22 (H)Моят Бог проводи Своя Ангел и затвори устата на лъвовете, и те ме не повредиха, защото аз излязох пред Него чист, па и пред тебе, царю, не съм извършил престъпление“.
23 (I)Тогава царят твърде много се зарадва за Даниила и заповяда да го извадят из ямата; и извадиха Даниила из ямата, и никаква повреда не се намери по него, защото той вярваше в своя Бог.
24 (J)Царят заповяда, и доведоха ония люде, които обвиняваха Даниила, та ги хвърлиха в лъвовата яма, както тях самите, тъй и децата им и жените им; и още не стигнали дъното на ямата, лъвовете ги сграбиха и строшиха всичките им кости.
25 След това цар Дарий написа на всички народи, племена и езици, които живеят по цяла земя: „мирът да ви се умножи!
26 (K)От мене се повеля издава, във всяка област на царството ми да треперят и да благоговеят пред Данииловия Бог, защото Той е Бог жив и вечно живеещ, и Неговото царство е нескрушимо, и Неговото владичество е безкрайно.
27 (L)Той избавя и спасява, върши чудеса и личби по небе и земя; Той избави Даниила от силата на лъвовете“.
28 (M)Тъй Даниил преуспяваше и в царуването на Дария, и в царуването на Кира Персийски.
Daniel 6
New King James Version
The Plot Against Daniel
6 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, (A)because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 (B)So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: (C)“King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have (D)consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the (E)law of the Medes and Persians, which [a]does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open (F)toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees (G)three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 (H)And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, (I)according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [b]does not alter.”
13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, (J)who is [c]one of the captives from Judah, (K)does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 And the king, when he heard these words, (L)was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he [d]labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men [e]approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is (M)the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 (N)Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, (O)and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
Daniel Saved from the Lions
18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no [f]musicians were brought before him. (P)Also his sleep [g]went from him. 19 Then the (Q)king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a [h]lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, (R)has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, (S)“O king, live forever! 22 (T)My God sent His angel and (U)shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, (V)because he believed in his God.
Darius Honors God
24 And the king gave the command, (W)and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, (X)their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
25 (Y)Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
26 (Z)I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must (AA)tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
(AB)For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be (AC)destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues,
(AD)And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the [i]power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius (AE)and in the reign of (AF)Cyrus the Persian.
Footnotes
- Daniel 6:8 Lit. does not pass away
- Daniel 6:12 Lit. does not pass away
- Daniel 6:13 Lit. of the sons of the captivity
- Daniel 6:14 strove
- Daniel 6:15 Lit. thronged before
- Daniel 6:18 Exact meaning unknown
- Daniel 6:18 Or fled
- Daniel 6:20 Or grieved
- Daniel 6:27 Lit. hand
Дигитална версия: Copyright by © Българско библейско дружество 2016. Използвани с разрешение.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
