Daniel 3

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	DIODATI
1 King 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.	1 IL re Nebucadnesar fece una statua d’oro, d’altezza di sessanta cubiti, e di larghezza di sei cubiti; e la rizzò nella pianura di Dura, nella provincia di Babilonia.
2 Then 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.	2 E il re Nebucadnesar mandò a radunare i satrapi, i magistrati, e i duchi, i giudici, i tesorieri, i senatori, i presidenti, e tutti i rettori delle provincie, per venire alla dedicazione della statua, che il re Nebucadnesar avea rizzata.
3 Then 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.	3 Allora furono radunati i satrapi, i magistrati, e i duchi, i giudici, i tesorieri, i senatori, i presidenti, e tutti i rettori delle provincie, alla dedicazione della statua, che il re Nebucadnesar avea rizzata. Ed essi erano in piè dinanzi alla statua, che Nebucadnesar avea rizzata.
4 And a herald proclaimed loudly, “To you it is said, to you peoples, tribes, and languages,	4 E un banditore gridò di forza, dicendo: O popoli, nazioni, e lingue, a voi si dice,
5 that 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.	5 che nell’ora, che voi udirete il suon del corno, del flauto, della cetera, dell’arpicordo, del salterio, della sampogna, e d’ogni specie di strumenti di musica, vi gettiate in terra, e adoriate la statua d’oro, che il re Nebucadnesar ha rizzata.
6 But if anyone will not bow down and adore, in the same hour he will be cast into a furnace of burning fire.”	6 E chiunque non si getterà in terra, e non l’adorerà, in quella stessa ora sarà gettato nel mezzo d’una fornace di fuoco ardente.
7 After 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.	7 Per la qual cosa, tutti i popoli, nazioni, e lingue, in quello stante ch’ebbero udito il suon del corno, del flauto, della cetera, dell’arpicordo, del salterio, e d’ogni specie di strumenti di musica, si gettarono in terra, e adorarono la statua d’oro, che il re Nebucadnesar avea rizzata
8 And soon, about the same time, some influential Chaldeans came and accused the Jews,	8 Perciò, in quel punto alcuni uomini Caldei si fecero avanti, ed accusarono i Giudei.
9 and they said to king Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever.	9 E fecero motto al re Nebucadnesar, e gli dissero: O re, possa tu vivere in perpetuo.
10 You, 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.	10 Tu, o re, hai fatto un decreto: che ogni uomo che avrà udito il suon del corno, del flauto, della cetera, dell’arpicordo, del salterio, della sampogna, e d’ogni specie di strumenti di musica, si getti in terra, ed adori la statua d’oro;
11 But if any man will not fall down and adore, he would be cast into a furnace of burning fire.	11 e che chiunque non si getterà in terra e non l’adorerà, sia gettato nel mezzo d’una fornace di fuoco ardente.
12 Yet 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.”	12 Or vi son degli uomini Giudei, che tu hai costituiti sopra gli affari della provincia di Babilonia, cioè: Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego; questi uomini non fanno conto di te, o re; non servono a’ tuoi dii, e non adorano la statua d’oro, che tu hai rizzata.
13 Then 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.	13 Allora Nebucadnesar, con ira e cruccio, comandò che si menassero Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego. In quello stante quegli uomini furono menati alla presenza del re.
14 And 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?	14 E Nebucadnesar fece loro motto, e disse loro: È egli vero, Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego, che voi non servite a’ miei dii, e non adorate la statua d’oro che io ho rizzata?
15 Therefore, 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?”	15 Or, non siete voi presti, qualora udirete il suon del flauto, della cetera, dell’arpicordo, del salterio, della sampogna, e d’ogni specie di strumenti di musica, a gettarvi in terra, e adorar la statua che io ho fatta? Chè, se non l’adorate, in quell’istessa ora sarete gettati nel mezzo d’una fornace di fuoco ardente; e quale è quel dio, che vi riscuota di man mia?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to king Nebuchadnezzar, “It is not right for us to obey you in this matter.	16 Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego risposero, e dissero al re: O Nebucadnesar, noi non abbiamo bisogno di darti risposta intorno a questo.
17 For 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.	17 Ecco, l’Iddio nostro, al qual serviamo, è potente per liberarci; ora, o re, liberici egli dalla fornace del fuoco ardente, e dalla tua mano,
18 But 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.”	18 o no, sappi pure, o re, che noi non serviremo a’ tuoi dii, e che non adoreremo la statua d’oro, che tu hai rizzata
19 Then 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.	19 Allora Nebucadnesar fu ripieno d’ira, e il sembiante della sua faccia si alterò contro a Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego; e prese a dire che si accendesse la fornace sette volte più dell’usato.
20 And 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.	20 Poi comandò a certi uomini de’ più possenti del suo esercito, di legare Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego, per gettarli nella fornace del fuoco ardente.
21 And 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.	21 Allora furono legati quegli uomini, con le lor giubbe, le lor calze, le lor tiare, e tutti i lor vestimenti, e furono gettati nel mezzo della fornace del fuoco ardente.
22 But 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.	22 E perciocchè la parola del re affrettava, e la fornace era sommamente accesa, le faville del fuoco uccisero quegli uomini, che vi aveano gettati dentro Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego.
23 But these three men, that is, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, having been bound, fell down in the middle of the oven of burning fire.	23 E que’ tre uomini, Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego, caddero legati nel mezzo della fornace del fuoco ardente.
24 And they were walking in the midst of the flame, praising God and blessing the Lord.	24 Allora il re Nebucadnesar sbigottì, e si levò prestamente, e fece motto a’ suoi consiglieri, e disse loro: Non abbiamo noi gettati tre uomini legati nel mezzo della fornace del fuoco ardente? Essi risposero, e dissero al re: Egli è vero, o re.
25 Then Azariah, while standing, prayed in this manner, and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said:	25 Ed egli rispose, e disse: Ecco, io veggo quattro uomini sciolti, i quali camminano nel mezzo del fuoco, e non vi è nulla di guasto in loro; e l’aspetto del quarto è somigliante ad un figliuolo di Dio.
26 “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and your name is praiseworthy and glorious for all ages.	26 Allora Nebucadnesar si accostò alla bocca della fornace del fuoco ardente, e prese a dire: Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego, servitori dell’Iddio altissimo, uscite, e venite. Allora Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego uscirono del mezzo del fuoco.
27 For 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.	27 E i satrapi, i magistrati, i duchi, e i consiglieri del re, si adunarono, e riguardavano quegli uomini, sopra i cui corpi il fuoco non avea avuto alcun potere; talchè non pure un capello del lor capo era stato arso, e le lor giubbe non erano mutate, e l’odor del fuoco non era penetrato in loro
28 For 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.	28 E Nebucadnesar prese a dire: Benedetto sia l’Iddio di Sadrac, di Mesac, e di Abed-nego, il quale ha mandato il suo Angelo, ed ha liberati i suoi servitori, che si son confidati in lui, ed hanno trapassato il comandamento del re, ed hanno esposti i lor corpi, per non servire, nè adorare alcun altro dio, che il lor Dio.
29 For we have sinned, and we have committed iniquity in withdrawing from you, and we have offended in all things.	29 Perciò, da me è fatto un decreto: che chiunque, di qual popolo, nazione, o lingua egli si sia, proferirà bestemmia contro all’Iddio di Sadrac, di Mesac, e di Abed-nego, sia squartato, e la sua casa ridotta in latrina; conciossiachè non vi sia alcun altro Dio, che possa liberare in questa maniera.
30 And 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.	30 Allora il re avanzò Sadrac, Mesac, ed Abed-nego, nella provincia di Babilonia
31 Therefore, everything that you have brought upon us, and all that you have done for us, you have done in true judgment.
32 And 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.
33 And 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.
34 Do not hand us over forever, we ask you, because of your name, and do not abolish your covenant.
35 And do not withdraw your mercy from us, because of Abraham, your beloved, and Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one.
36 You have spoken with them, promising that you would multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven and like the sand on the seashore.
37 For 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.
38 Neither 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,
39 so that we may be able to find your mercy. Nevertheless, with a contrite soul and humble spirit, let us be accepted.
40 Just 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.
41 And now we follow you wholeheartedly, and we fear you, and we seek your face.
42 Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in agreement with your clemency and according to the multitude of your mercies.
43 And rescue us by your wonders and give glory to your name, O Lord.
44 And 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.
45 And may they know that you are the Lord, the only God, and glorious above the world.”
46 And 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.
47 And the flame streamed forth above the furnace for forty-nine cubits.
48 And the fire erupted and burnt those of the Chaldeans within its reach near the furnace.
49 But 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.
50 And 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.
51 Then 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.
53 Blessed are you in the holy temple of your glory: praiseworthy above all and exalted above all forever.
54 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom: praiseworthy above all and exalted above all forever.
55 Blessed are you who beholds the abyss and sits upon the cherubims: praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
56 Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven: praiseworthy and glorious forever.
57 All works of the Lord, bless 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 Heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
60 All waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
61 All powers of the Lord, 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 rain and dew, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
65 Every breath of God, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
66 Fire and steam, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
67 Cold and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
68 Dews and frost, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
69 Sleet and winter, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
70 Ice 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 Lightning and clouds, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
74 May the land bless the Lord: and praise and exalt him above all forever.
75 Mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
76 All things that grow in the land, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
77 Fountains, 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 Whales and all things that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
80 All things that fly in the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
81 All beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
82 Sons of men, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
83 May Israel bless the Lord: and 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 Those who are holy and humble in 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 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.
89 Give thanks to the Lord because he is good: because his mercy is forever.
90 All those who are pious, bless the Lord, the God of gods: praise him and acknowledge him because his mercy is for all generations.”
91 Then 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.”
92 He 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.”
93 Then 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.
94 And 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.
95 Then 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.
96 Therefore, 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.”
97 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
98 NEBUCHADNEZZAR, the king, to all peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in the whole world, may peace be increased with you.
99 The supreme God has accomplished signs and wonders with me. Therefore, it has pleased me to proclaim
100 his 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.