Old/New Testament
3 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was 60 cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babel.
2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent word to gather together the nobles, the princes and the dukes; the judges, the receivers, the counselors, the officers, and all the governors of the provinces, that they should come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
3 So the nobles, princes, and dukes; the judges, the receivers, the counselors, the officers, and all the governors of the provinces were assembled for the dedicating of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. And they stood before the image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4 Then a herald cried aloud, “Be it known to you, O people, nations, and languages,
5 That when you hear the sound of the cornet, trumpet, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all instruments of music, you shall fall down, and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.
6 “And whoever does not fall down and worship, shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a hot fiery furnace!”
7 Therefore as soon as all the people heard the sound of the cornet, trumpet, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all instruments of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down, and worshipped the golden image, that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
8 By reason whereof, at that same time came men of the Chaldeans, and grievously accused the Jews.
9 For they spoke and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever.
10 “You, O king, have made a decree that every man who shall hear the sound of the cornet, trumpet, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all instruments of music, shall fall down, and worship the golden image.
11 “And whoever does not fall down, and worship, that he should be cast into the midst of a hot fiery furnace.
12 “There are certain Jews whom you have set over the charge of the province of Babel: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, have not regarded your commandment. Nor will they serve your gods, nor worship the golden image that you have set up.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in his anger and wrath, commanded that they should bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king.
14 And Nebuchadnezzar spoke, and said to them, “What is this? Will not you, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, serve my god, and worship the golden image that I have set up?
15 “Now, therefore, you should be ready when you hear the sound of the cornet, trumpet, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all instruments of music, to fall down, and worship the image which I have made. “For if you do not worship it, you shall immediately be cast into the midst of a hot fiery furnace. For who is that God, that can deliver you out of my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not hesitant to answer you in this matter.
17 “Behold, our God whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the hot fiery furnace. And he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
18 “But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of rage. And his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Therefore, he commanded that they should heat the furnace to seven times hotter than it was normally heated.
20 And he charged the most valiant men of war, who were in his army, to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the hot fiery furnace.
21 So these men were bound in their coats, their hats, and their cloaks, with their other garments, and cast into the midst of the hot fiery furnace.
22 Therefore, because the king’s commandment was urgent, that the furnace should be exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who brought forth Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the hot fiery furnace.
24 Then, Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished; and rose up quickly, and spoke; and said to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men, bound, into the midst of the fire?” Who answered, and said to him, “It is true, O king.”
25 And he answered, and said, “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt, and the appearance of the fourth is like the son of God.
26 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the hot fiery furnace, and spoke, and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the servants of the high God, come out and come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came forth from the midst of the fire.
27 Then the nobles, princes, and dukes, and the king’s counselors came together to see these men, because the fire had no power over their bodies. For not a hair of their head was burnt, nor their clothing, nor was any smell of fire upon them.
28 So, Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his Angel, and delivered his servants, who put their trust in him; and have changed the king’s commandment, and offered their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
29 “Therefore, I make a decree that every people, nation, and language, which speaks any blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be torn in pieces, and their houses shall be laid waste, because there is no god that can deliver like this.”
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babel.
31 Nebuchadnezzar, king to all people, nations and languages, who dwell in all the world, Peace be multiplied to you.
32 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders, that the high God has wrought toward me.
33 How great are his signs, and how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. And his dominion is from generation to generation.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, being at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace,
2 Saw a dream which made me afraid. And the thoughts upon my bed, and the visions of my head troubled me.
3 Therefore I made a decree, that they should bring all the wise men of Babel before me, that they might declare to me the interpretation of the dream.
4 So came the enchanters, the astrologers, the Chaldeans and the soothsayers, to whom I told the dream. But they could not show me the interpretation thereof.
5 Till at the last, Daniel came before me, (whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, who has the spirit of the holy gods in him). And before him I told the dream, saying,
6 “O Belteshazzar, chief of the enchanters, because I know, that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
7 “Thus were the visions of my head in my bed. And behold, I saw a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great;
8 “A great tree and strong. And the height thereof reached to heaven, and the sight thereof to the ends of all the earth.
9 “The boughs thereof were fair and the fruit thereof much. And in it was food for all. It made a shadow under it for the beasts of the field. And the birds of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof. And all flesh fed from it.
10 “I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a watchman and a holy one came down from heaven,
11 “And cried aloud, and said, ‘Cut down the tree, and break off his branches. Shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit, that the beasts may flee from under it, and the birds from his branches.
12 ‘Nevertheless, leave the stump of its roots in the earth, and with a band of iron and brass bind it among the grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts among the grass of the field.
13 ‘Let his heart be changed from man’s nature, and let a beast’s heart be given to him, and let seven times pass over him.
14 ‘The command is according to the decree of the watchmen, and according to the word of the holy ones, to the intent that living men may know that the most High has power over the kingdom of men; and gives it to whomever he will; and appoints over it the lowest among men.’
15 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Therefore, you, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof. For all the wise men of my kingdom are unable to show me the interpretation. But you are able. For the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
16 Then Daniel (whose name was Belteshazzar) was astonished for one hour. And his thoughts troubled him. And the king spoke and said, “Belteshazzar, let neither the dream, nor the interpretation thereof, trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, the dream is for those who hate you, and the interpretation thereof for your enemies.
17 “The tree that you saw, which was great and mighty, whose height reached to the heaven, and the sight thereof through all the world,
18 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much; and in it was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of the heaven sat -
19 it is you, O king, who is great and mighty. For your greatness has grown, and reaches to Heaven; and your dominion to the ends of the Earth.
20 “And whereas the king saw a watchman, and a holy one, who came down from heaven, and said, ‘Cut down the tree, and destroy it, yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth. And, with a band of iron and brass, bind it among the grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him’,
21 “This is the interpretation, O king. And it is the decree of the Most High, who has come upon my lord the king;
22 “That they shall drive you from men. And your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass, as the oxen. And, they shall wet you with the dew of heaven. And seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High bears rule over the kingdom of men; and gives it to whomever he will.
23 “And whereas they said that one should ‘leave the stump of the tree roots’, your kingdom shall remain yours. After that, you shall know that the heavens rule.
24 “Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you. And break off your sins by righteousness; and your iniquities by mercy towards the poor. Lo, let there be a healing of your error.”
25 All these things came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
26 At the end of twelve months, he walked in the royal palace of Babel.
27 And the king spoke and said, “Is not this great Babel that I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?”
28 While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from heaven, saying, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you be it spoken, ‘Your kingdom has departed from you.
29 “‘And they shall drive you from men. And your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you to eat grass, as the oxen. And seven times shall pass over you, until you know, that the most High bears rule over the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.’”
30 That very same hour was this thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar. And he was driven from men, and ate grass as the oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown as eagles feathers, and his nails like birds claws.
31 And at the end of these days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven. And my understanding was restored to me. And I gave thanks to the most High. And I praised and honored him who lives forever, whose power is an everlasting power, and whose kingdom is from generation to generation.
32 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing. And according to his will, he works in the army of heaven, and in the inhabitants of the earth. And none can stay his hand, nor say to him, “What are you doing?”
33 At the same time was my understanding restored to me. And I returned to the honor of my kingdom. My glory and my beauty was restored to me, and my counselors and my princes sought me. And I was re-established in my kingdom, and my glory was added to me.
34 Now therefore, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and magnify the king of heaven, whose works are all truth; and his ways judgment. And those who walk in pride, he is able to humble.
5 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And everyone who loves Him Who begat, also loves him who is begotten of Him.
2 In this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His Commandments.
3 For this is the love of God: that we keep His Commandments. And His Commandments are not burdensome.
4 For all that is born of God overcomes this world. And this is that victory that has overcome this world: our faith.
5 Who is it that overcomes this world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is that Jesus Christ Who came by water and blood - not by water only, but by water and blood - and it is that Spirit that bears witness. For that Spirit is Truth.
7 For there are Three Who bear record in Heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these Three are One.
8 And there are Three Who bear record on the Earth: the Spirit and the Water and the Blood. And these Three agree in One.
9 If we receive the witness of man, the witness of God is greater. For this is the witness of God which He testified about His Son:
10 The one who believes in that Son of God, has the witness in himself. The one who does not believe God, has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the record that God witnessed of His Son.
11 And this is that record: that God has given us eternal life. And this life is in His Son.
12 The one who has that Son, has that life. And the one who does not have that Son of God, does not have that life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life (and that you may believe in the Name of the Son of God).
14 And this is that assurance that we have in Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have the petitions that we have desired from Him.
16 If anyone sees his brother sin a sin that does not lead to death, let him ask, and He shall give him life for those whose sin does not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death. I do not say that you should pray for that.
17 All unrighteousness is sin. But there is sin that does not lead to death.
18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin. But the one who is begotten of God guards himself. And the wicked one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are of God, and this whole world lies in wickedness.
20 But we know that the Son of God has come and has given us a mind to know Him Who is true. And we are in Him Who is true; in His Son Jesus Christ. The same is that very God and that Eternal Life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
© 2019, 2024 by Five Talents Audio. All rights reserved.