达尼尔 3

1King 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.

2Then 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.

3Then 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.

4Then a herald cried with a strong voice: To you it is commanded, O nations, tribes, and languages:

5That 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.

6But if any man shall not fall down and adore, he shall the same hour be cast into a furnace of burning fire.

7Upon 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.

8And presently at that very time some Chaldeans came and accused the Jews,

9And said to king Nabuchodonosor: O king, live for ever:

10Thou, O king, hast made a decree that every man that shall bear 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:

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

12Now 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.

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

14And 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?

15Now 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?

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

17For 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.

18But 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.

19Then 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.

20And 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.

21And 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.

22For 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.

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

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

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

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

27For 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.

28For 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.

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

30And 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.

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

32And 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 axe upon the earth.

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

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

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

36To 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.

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

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

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

40As 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.

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

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

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

44And 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.

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

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

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

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

49But 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,

50And 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.

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

52Blessed 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

88O 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.

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

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

91Then 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.

92He 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.

93Then 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.

94And 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.

95Then 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.

96By 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.

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

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

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

100His 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.

1Nabuchodonosor rex fecit statuam auream, altitudine cubitorum sexaginta, latitudine cubitorum sex, et statuit eam in campo Dura, provinciæ Babylonis.

2Itaque Nabuchodonosor rex misit ad congregandos satrapas, magistratus, et judices, duces, et tyrannos, et præfectos, omnesque principes regionum, ut convenirent ad dedicationem statuæ quam erexerat Nabuchodonosor rex.

3Tunc congregati sunt satrapæ, magistratus, et judices, duces, et tyranni, et optimates, qui erant in potestatibus constituti, et universi principes regionum, ut convenirent ad dedicationem statuæ, quam erexerat Nabuchodonosor rex. Stabant autem in conspectu statuæ, quam posuerat Nabuchodonosor rex:

4et præco clamabat valenter: Vobis dicitur populis, tribubus, et linguis:

5in hora qua audieritis sonitum tubæ, et fistulæ, et citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, et universi generis musicorum, cadentes adorate statuam auream, quam constituit Nabuchodonosor rex.

6Si quis autem non prostratus adoraverit, eadem hora mittetur in fornacem ignis ardentis.

7Post hæc igitur, statim ut audierunt omnes populi sonitum tubæ, fistulæ, et citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, et omnis generis musicorum, cadentes omnes populi, tribus, et linguæ adoraverunt statuam auream, quam constituerat Nabuchodonosor rex.

8Statimque in ipso tempore accedentes viri Chaldæi accusaverunt Judæos:

9dixeruntque Nabuchodonosor regi: Rex, in æternum vive !

10tu, rex, posuisti decretum, ut omnis homo, qui audierit sonitum tubæ, fistulæ, et citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, et universi generis musicorum, prosternat se, et adoret statuam auream:

11si quis autem non procidens adoraverit, mittatur in fornacem ignis ardentis.

12Sunt ergo viri Judæi, quos constituisti super opera regionis Babylonis, Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago: viri isti contempserunt, rex, decretum tuum: deos tuos non colunt, et statuam auream, quam erexisti, non adorant.

13Tunc Nabuchodonosor, in furore et in ira, præcepit ut adducerentur Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago: qui confestim adducti sunt in conspectu regis.

14Pronuntiansque Nabuchodonosor rex, ait eis: Verene Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, deos meos non colitis, et statuam auream, quam constitui, non adoratis?

15nunc ergo si estis parati, quacumque hora audieritis sonitum tubæ, fistulæ, citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, omnisque generis musicorum, prosternite vos, et adorate statuam, quam feci: quod si non adoraveritis, eadem hora mittemini in fornacem ignis ardentis: et quis est Deus, qui eripiet vos de manu mea?

16Respondentes Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, dixerunt regi Nabuchodonosor: Non oportet nos de hac re respondere tibi.

17Ecce enim Deus noster, quem colimus, potest eripere nos de camino ignis ardentis, et de manibus tuis, o rex, liberare.

18Quod si noluerit, notum sit tibi, rex, quia deos tuos non colimus, et statuam auream, quam erexisti, non adoramus.

19Tunc Nabuchodonosor repletus est furore, et aspectus faciei illius immutatus est super Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago: et præcepit ut succenderetur fornax septuplum quam succendi consueverat.

20Et viris fortissimis de exercitu suo jussit ut ligatis pedibus Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, mitterent eos in fornacem ignis ardentis.

21Et confestim viri illi vincti, cum braccis suis, et tiaris, et calceamentis, et vestibus, missi sunt in medium fornacis ignis ardentis:

22nam jussio regis urgebat. Fornax autem succensa erat nimis: porro viros illos, qui miserant Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, interfecit flamma ignis.

23Viri autem hi tres, id est, Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, ceciderunt in medio camino ignis ardentis, colligati.

24Et ambulabant in medio flammæ, laudantes Deum, et benedicentes Domino.

25Stans autem Azarias oravit sic, aperiensque os suum in medio ignis, ait:

26[Benedictus es, Domine Deus patrum nostrorum, et laudabile, et gloriosum nomen tuum in sæcula:

27quia justus es in omnibus, quæ fecisti nobis, et universa opera tua vera, et viæ tuæ rectæ, et omnia judicia tua vera.

28Judicia enim vera fecisti juxta omnia, quæ induxisti super nos, et super civitatem sanctam patrum nostrorum Jerusalem: quia in veritate et in judicio induxisti omnia hæc propter peccata nostra.

29Peccavimus enim, et inique egimus recedentes a te, et deliquimus in omnibus:

30et præcepta tua non audivimus, nec observavimus, nec fecimus sicut præceperas nobis ut bene nobis esset.

31Omnia ergo, quæ induxisti super nos, et universa quæ fecisti nobis, in vero judicio fecisti;

32et tradidisti nos in manibus inimicorum nostrorum iniquorum, et pessimorum, prævaricatorumque, et regi injusto, et pessimo ultra omnem terram.

33Et nunc non possumus aperire os: confusio, et opprobrium facti sumus servis tuis, et his qui colunt te.

34Ne, quæsumus, tradas nos in perpetuum propter nomen tuum, et ne dissipes testamentum tuum:

35neque auferas misericordiam tuam a nobis, propter Abraham, dilectum tuum, et Isaac, servum tuum, et Israël, sanctum tuum,

36quibus locutus es pollicens quod multiplicares semen eorum sicut stellas cæli, et sicut arenam quæ est in littore maris;

37quia, Domine, imminuti sumus plus quam omnes gentes, sumusque humiles in universa terra hodie propter peccata nostra.

38Et non est in tempore hoc princeps, et dux, et propheta, neque holocaustum, neque sacrificium, neque oblatio, neque incensum, neque locus primitiarum coram te,

39ut possimus invenire misericordiam tuam, sed in animo contrito, et spiritu humilitatis suscipiamur.

40Sicut in holocausto arietum, et taurorum, et sicut in millibus agnorum pinguium, sic fiat sacrificium nostrum in conspectu tuo hodie, ut placeat tibi, quoniam non est confusio confidentibus in te.

41Et nunc sequimur te in toto corde; et timemus te, et quærimus faciem tuam.

42Nec confundas nos, sed fac nobiscum juxta mansuetudinem tuam, et secundum multitudinem misericordiæ tuæ.

43Et erue nos in mirabilibus tuis, et da gloriam nomini tuo, Domine;

44et confundantur omnes qui ostendunt servis tuis mala: confundantur in omni potentia tua, et robur eorum conteratur:

45et sciant quia tu es Dominus Deus solus, et gloriosus super orbem terrarum.]

46Et non cessabant qui miserant eos ministri regis succendere fornacem, naphtha, et stuppa, et pice, et malleolis,

47et effundebatur flamma super fornacem cubitis quadraginta novem:

48et erupit, et incendit quos reperit juxta fornacem de Chaldæis.

49Angelus autem Domini descendit cum Azaria, et sociis ejus in fornacem: et excussit flammam ignis de fornace,

50et fecit medium fornacis quasi ventum roris flantem, et non tetigit eos omnino ignis, neque contristavit, nec quidquam molestiæ intulit.

51Tunc hi tres quasi ex uno ore laudabant, et glorificabant, et benedicebant Deum in fornace, dicentes:

52[Benedictus es, Domine Deus patrum nostrorum: et laudabilis, et gloriosus, et superexaltatus in sæcula. Et benedictum nomen gloriæ tuæ sanctum: et laudabile, et superexaltatum in omnibus sæculis.

53Benedictus es in templo sancto gloriæ tuæ: et superlaudabilis, et supergloriosus in sæcula.

54Benedictus es in throno regni tui: et superlaudabilis, et superexaltatus in sæcula.

55Benedictus es, qui intueris abyssos, et sedes super cherubim: et laudabilis, et superexaltatus in sæcula.

56Benedictus es in firmamento cæli: et laudabilis et gloriosus in sæcula.

57Benedicite, omnia opera Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

58Benedicite, angeli Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

59Benedicite, cæli, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

60Benedicite, aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

61Benedicite, omnes virtutes Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

62Benedicite, sol et luna, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

63Benedicite, stellæ cæli, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

64Benedicite, omnis imber et ros, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

65Benedicite, omnes spiritus Dei, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

66Benedicite, ignis et æstus, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

67Benedicite, frigus et æstus, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

68Benedicite, rores et pruina, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

69Benedicite, gelu et frigus, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

70Benedicite, glacies et nives, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

71Benedicite, noctes et dies, Domino laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

72Benedicite, lux et tenebræ, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

73Benedicite, fulgura et nubes, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

74Benedicat terra Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in sæcula.

75Benedicite, montes et colles, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

76Benedicite, universa germinantia in terra, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

77Benedicite, fontes, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

78Benedicite, maria et flumina, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

79Benedicite, cete, et omnia quæ moventur in aquis, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

80Benedicite, omnes volucres cæli, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

81Benedicite, omnes bestiæ et pecora, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

82Benedicite, filii hominum, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

83Benedicat Israël Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in sæcula.

84Benedicite, sacerdotes Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

85Benedicite, servi Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

86Benedicite, spiritus et animæ justorum, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

87Benedicite, sancti et humiles corde, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

88Benedicite, Anania, Azaria, Misaël, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula: quia eruit nos de inferno, et salvos fecit de manu mortis: et liberavit nos de medio ardentis flammæ, et de medio ignis eruit nos.

89Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus: quoniam in sæculum misericordia ejus.

90Benedicite, omnes religiosi, Domino Deo deorum: laudate et confitemini ei, quia in omnia sæcula misericordia ejus.]

91Tunc Nabuchodonosor rex obstupuit, et surrexit propere, et ait optimatibus suis: Nonne tres viros misimus in medium ignis compeditos? Qui respondentes regi, dixerunt: Vere, rex.

92Respondit, et ait: Ecce ego video quatuor viros solutos, et ambulantes in medio ignis, et nihil corruptionis in eis est, et species quarti similis filio Dei.

93Tunc accessit Nabuchodonosor ad ostium fornacis ignis ardentis, et ait: Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, servi Dei excelsi, egredimini, et venite. Statimque egressi sunt Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago de medio ignis.

94Et congregati satrapæ, et magistratus, et judices, et potentes regis contemplabantur viros illos, quoniam nihil potestatis habuisset ignis in corporibus eorum, et capillus capitis eorum non esset adustus, et sarabala eorum non fuissent immutata, et odor ignis non transisset per eos.

95Et erumpens Nabuchodonosor, ait: Benedictus Deus eorum, Sidrach videlicet, Misach, et Abdenago: qui misit angelum suum, et eruit servos suos, qui crediderunt in eum: et verbum regis immutaverunt, et tradiderunt corpora sua ne servirent, et ne adorarent omnem deum, excepto Deo suo.

96A me ergo positum est hoc decretum: ut omnis populus, tribus, et lingua, quæcumque locuta fuerit blasphemiam contra Deum Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, dispereat, et domus ejus vastetur: neque enim est alius deus, qui possit ita salvare.

97Tunc rex promovit Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago in provincia Babylonis.

98Nabuchodonosor rex, omnibus populis, gentibus, et linguis, qui habitant in universa terra, pax vobis multiplicetur.

99Signa, et mirabilia fecit apud me Deus excelsus. Placuit ergo mihi prædicare

100signa ejus, quia magna sunt: et mirabilia ejus, quia fortia: et regnum ejus regnum sempiternum, et potestas ejus in generationem et generationem.

1King Nebuchadnezzar made a statue of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

2Then king Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather together the governors, magistrates and judges, generals and sovereigns and commanders, and all the leaders of the regions, to come together for the dedication of the statue, which king Nebuchadnezzar had raised.

3Then the governors, magistrates and judges, generals and sovereigns and nobles, who were appointed to power, and all the leaders of the regions were brought together so as to convene for the dedication of the statue, which king Nebuchadnezzar had raised. And so they stood before the statue that king Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4And a herald proclaimed loudly, “To you it is said, to you peoples, tribes, and languages,

5that in the hour when you will hear the sound of the trumpet and the pipe and the lute, the harp and the psaltery, and of the symphony and every kind of music, you must fall down and adore the gold statue, which king Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

6But if anyone will not bow down and adore, in the same hour he will be cast into a furnace of burning fire.”

7After this, therefore, as soon as all the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the pipe and the lute, the harp and the psaltery, and of the symphony and every kind of music, all the peoples, tribes, and languages fell down and adored the gold statue, which king Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8And soon, about the same time, some influential Chaldeans came and accused the Jews,

9and they said to king Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever.

10You, O king, have established a decree, so that every man who might hear the sound of the trumpet, the pipe and the lute, the harp and the psaltery, and of the symphony and every kind of music, will prostrate himself and adore the gold statue.

11But if any man will not fall down and adore, he would be cast into a furnace of burning fire.

12Yet there are influential Jews, whom you have appointed over the works of the region of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, have scorned your decree. They do not worship your gods, and they do not adore the gold statue which you have raised up.”

13Then Nebuchadnezzar, in fury and in wrath, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego should be brought, and so, without delay, they were brought before the king.

14And king Nebuchadnezzar addressed them and said, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not worship my gods, nor adore the gold statue, which I have set up?

15Therefore, if you are prepared now, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, pipe, lute, harp and psaltery, and of the symphony and every kind of music, prostrate yourselves and adore the statue which I have made. But if you will not adore, in the same hour you will be cast into the furnace of burning fire. And who is the God that will rescue you from my hand?”

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to king Nebuchadnezzar, “It is not right for us to obey you in this matter.

17For behold our God, whom we worship, is able to rescue us from the oven of burning fire and to free us from your hands, O king.

18But even if he will not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not worship your gods, nor adore the gold statue, which you have raised up.”

19Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury and the appearance of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and he commanded that the furnace should be heated to seven times its usual fire.

20And he ordered the strongest men of his army to bind the feet of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the furnace of burning fire.

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

22But the king’s order was so urgent that the furnace was heated excessively. As a result, those men who had cast in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were killed by the flame of the fire.

23But these three men, that is, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, having been bound, fell down in the middle of the oven of burning fire.

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

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

26“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and your name is praiseworthy and glorious for all ages.

27For you are just in all the things that you have accomplished for us, and all your works are true, and your ways are right, and all your judgments are true.

28For you have made equally true judgments in all the things that you have brought upon us and upon Jerusalem, the holy city of our fathers. For in truth and in judgment, you have brought down all these things because of our sins.

29For we have sinned, and we have committed iniquity in withdrawing from you, and we have offended in all things.

30And we have not listened to your precepts, nor have we observed or done as you have ordered us, so that it might go well with us.

31Therefore, everything that you have brought upon us, and all that you have done for us, you have done in true judgment.

32And you have delivered us into the hands of our enemies: traitors, unjust and most wicked, and to a king, unjust and most wicked, even more so than all others on earth.

33And now we are not able to open our mouths. We have become a shame and a disgrace to your servants and to those who worship you.

34Do not hand us over forever, we ask you, because of your name, and do not abolish your covenant.

35And do not withdraw your mercy from us, because of Abraham, your beloved, and Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one.

36You have spoken with them, promising that you would multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven and like the sand on the seashore.

37For we, O Lord, are diminished more than all other peoples, and we are brought low throughout all the earth, this day, because of our sins.

38Neither is there, at this time, a leader, or a ruler, or a prophet, nor any holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of first fruits, in your eyes,

39so that we may be able to find your mercy. Nevertheless, with a contrite soul and humble spirit, let us be accepted.

40Just as in the holocausts of rams and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice be in your sight this day, in order to please you. For there is no shame for those who trust in you.

41And now we follow you wholeheartedly, and we fear you, and we seek your face.

42Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in agreement with your clemency and according to the multitude of your mercies.

43And rescue us by your wonders and give glory to your name, O Lord.

44And let all those be confounded who lead your servants towards evil. May they be confounded by all your power and may their strength be crushed.

45And may they know that you are the Lord, the only God, and glorious above the world.”

46And they did not cease, those attendants of the king who had cast them in, to heat the furnace with oil, and flax, and pitch, and brush.

47And the flame streamed forth above the furnace for forty-nine cubits.

48And the fire erupted and burnt those of the Chaldeans within its reach near the furnace.

49But the angel of the Lord descended with Azariah and his companions into the furnace; and he cast the flame of the fire out of the furnace.

50And he made the middle of the furnace like the blowing of a damp wind, and the fire did not touch them, nor afflict them, nor bother them at all.

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

52“Blessed are you, Lord, God of our fathers: praiseworthy, and glorious, and exalted above all forever. And blessed is the holy name of your glory: praiseworthy, and exalted above all, for all ages.

53Blessed are you in the holy temple of your glory: praiseworthy above all and exalted above all forever.

54Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom: praiseworthy above all and exalted above all forever.

55Blessed are you who beholds the abyss and sits upon the cherubim: praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

56Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven: praiseworthy and glorious forever.

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

58Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

59Heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

60All waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

61All powers of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

62Sun and moon, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

63Stars of heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

64Every rain and dew, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

65Every breath of God, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

66Fire and steam, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

67Cold and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

68Dews and frost, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

69Sleet and winter, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

70Ice and snow, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

71Nights and days, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

72Light and darkness, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

73Lightning and clouds, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

74May the land bless the Lord: and praise and exalt him above all forever.

75Mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

76All things that grow in the land, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

77Fountains, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

78Seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

79Whales and all things that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

80All things that fly in the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

81All beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

82Sons of men, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

83May Israel bless the Lord: and praise and exalt him above all forever.

84Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

85Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

86Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

87Those who are holy and humble in heart, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

88Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever. For he has delivered us from the underworld, and saved us from the hand of death, and freed us from the midst of the burning flame, and rescued us from the midst of the fire.

89Give thanks to the Lord because he is good: because his mercy is forever.

90All those who are pious, bless the Lord, the God of gods: praise him and acknowledge him because his mercy is for all generations.”

91Then king Nebuchadnezzar was astonished, and he quickly got up and said to his nobles: “Did we not cast three men shackled into the midst of the fire?” Answering the king, they said, “True, O king.”

92He answered and said, “Behold, I see four men unbound and walking in the midst of the fire, and no harm is in them, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of God.”

93Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the entrance of the furnace of burning fire, and he said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the supreme God, come out and approach.” And immediately Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went out from the midst of the fire.

94And when the governors, and the magistrates, and the judges, and the powerful of the king had gathered together, they considered these men because the fire had no power against their bodies, and not a hair of their head had been scorched, and their pants had not been affected, and the smell of the fire had not passed onto them.

95Then Nebuchadnezzar, bursting out, said, “Blessed is their God, the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel and rescued his servants who believed in him. And they altered the verdict of the king, and they delivered up their bodies, so that they would not serve or adore any god except their God.

96Therefore, this decree is established by me: that every people, tribe, and language, whenever they have spoken blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, will perish and their homes will be destroyed. For there is no other God who is able to save in this way.”

97Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

98NEBUCHADNEZZAR, the king, to all peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in the whole world, may peace be increased with you.

99The supreme God has accomplished signs and wonders with me. Therefore, it has pleased me to proclaim

100his signs, which are great, and his wonders, which are mighty. For his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his power continues from generation to generation.