Daniel 3

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue made, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, which he set up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.	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.
2 He then ordered the satraps, prefects, and governors, the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the officials of the provinces to be summoned to the dedication of the statue which he had set up.	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.
3 The satraps, prefects, and governors, the counselors, treasurers, judges, and magistrates and all the officials of the provinces, all these came together for the dedication and stood before the statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.	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.
4 A herald cried out: "Nations and peoples of every language, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments,	4 And a herald proclaimed loudly, “To you it is said, to you peoples, tribes, and languages,
5 you are ordered to fall down and worship the golden statue which King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.	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.
6 Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be instantly cast into a white-hot furnace."	6 But if anyone will not bow down and adore, in the same hour he will be cast into a furnace of burning fire.”
7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments, the nations and peoples of every language all fell down and worshiped the golden statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.	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.
8 At that point, some of the Chaldeans came and accused the Jews	8 And soon, about the same time, some influential Chaldeans came and accused the Jews,
9 to King Nebuchadnezzar: "O king, live forever!	9 and they said to king Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever.
10 O king, you issued a decree that everyone who heard the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments should fall down and worship the golden statue;	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.
11 whoever did not was to be cast into a white-hot furnace.	11 But if any man will not fall down and adore, he would be cast into a furnace of burning fire.
12 There are certain Jews whom you have made administrators of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego; these men, O king, have paid no attention to you; they will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up."	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.”
13 Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and sent for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were promptly brought before the king.	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.
14 King Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up?	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?
15 Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?"	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?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter.	16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to king Nebuchadnezzar, “It is not right for us to obey you in this matter.
17 If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us!	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.
18 But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up."	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.”
19 Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual	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.
20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace.	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.
21 They were bound and cast into the white-hot furnace with their coats, hats, shoes and other garments,	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.
22 for the king's order was urgent. So huge a fire was kindled in the furnace that the flames devoured the men who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into it.	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.
23 But these three fell, bound, into the midst of the white-hot furnace.	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.
24 They walked about in the flames, singing to God and blessing the Lord.	24 And they were walking in the midst of the flame, praising God and blessing the Lord.
25 In the fire Azariah stood up and prayed aloud:	25 Then Azariah, while standing, prayed in this manner, and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said:
26 "Blessed are you, and praiseworthy, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and glorious forever is your name.	26 “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and your name is praiseworthy and glorious for all ages.
27 For you are just in all you have done; all your deeds are faultless, all your ways right, and all your judgments proper.	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.
28 You have executed proper judgments in all that you have brought upon us and upon Jerusalem, the holy city of our fathers. By a proper judgment you have done all this because of our sins;	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.
29 For we have sinned and transgressed by departing from you, and we have done every kind of evil.	29 For we have sinned, and we have committed iniquity in withdrawing from you, and we have offended in all things.
30 Your commandments we have not heeded or observed, nor have we done as you ordered us for our good.	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.
31 Therefore all you have brought upon us, all you have done to us,you have done by a proper judgment.	31 Therefore, everything that you have brought upon us, and all that you have done for us, you have done in true judgment.
32 You have handed us over to our enemies, lawless and hateful rebels; to an unjust king, the worst in all the world.	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 Now we cannot open our mouths; we, your servants, who revere you, have become a shame and a reproach.	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 For your name's sake, do not deliver us up forever, or make void your covenant.	34 Do not hand us over forever, we ask you, because of your name, and do not abolish your covenant.
35 Do not take away your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, your beloved, Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,	35 And do not withdraw your mercy from us, because of Abraham, your beloved, and Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one.
36 To whom you promised to multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven, or the sand on the shore of the sea.	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 are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation, brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins.	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 We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader, no holocaust, sacrifice, oblation, or incense, no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you.	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 But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received;	39 so that we may be able to find your mercy. Nevertheless, with a contrite soul and humble spirit, let us be accepted.
40 As though it were holocausts of rams and bullocks, or thousands of fat lambs, So let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly; for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame.	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 with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you.	41 And now we follow you wholeheartedly, and we fear you, and we seek your face.
42 Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.	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 Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name, O Lord:	43 And rescue us by your wonders and give glory to your name, O Lord.
44 Let all those be routed who inflict evils on your servants; Let them be shamed and powerless, and their strength broken;	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 Let them know that you alone are the Lord God, glorious over the whole world."	45 And may they know that you are the Lord, the only God, and glorious above the world.”
46 Now the king's men who had thrown them in continued to stoke the furnace with brimstone, pitch, tow, and faggots.	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 The flames rose forty-nine cubits above the furnace,	47 And the flame streamed forth above the furnace for forty-nine cubits.
48 and spread out, burning the Chaldeans nearby.	48 And the fire erupted and burnt those of the Chaldeans within its reach near the furnace.
49 But the angel of the Lord went down into the furnace with Azariah and his companions, drove the fiery flames out of 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 made the inside of the furnace as though a dew-laden breeze were blowing through it. The fire in no way touched them or caused them pain or harm.	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 in the furnace with one voice sang, glorifying and blessing God:	51 Then these three, as if with one voice, praised and glorified and blessed God, in the furnace, saying:
52 "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.	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 temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.	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 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 look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy 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.	56 Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven: praiseworthy and glorious forever.
57 Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all 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.	58 Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
59 You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.	59 Heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
60 All you waters above the heavens, 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 you hosts of the Lord, 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.	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.	63 Stars of heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
64 Every shower and dew, 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 All you winds, 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 heat, 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 chill, 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 Dew and rain, 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 Frost and chill, 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.	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.	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.	72 Light and darkness, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
73 Lightnings and clouds, 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 Let the earth 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.	75 Mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
76 Everything growing from the earth, 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 You springs, 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.	78 Seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
79 You dolphins and all water creatures, 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 you birds of the air, 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 you beasts, wild and tame, 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 You sons of men, 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 O Israel, 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.	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.	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.	86 Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
87 Holy men of humble heart, 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 nether world, and saved us from the power of death; He has freed us from the raging flame and delivered us from the fire.	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, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.	89 Give thanks to the Lord because he is good: because his mercy is forever.
90 Bless the God of gods, all you who fear the Lord; praise him and give him thanks, because his mercy endures forever." Hearing them sing, and astonished at seeing them alive,	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 King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they answered.	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 "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God."	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 came to the opening of the white-hot furnace and called to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: "Servants of the most high God, come out." Thereupon Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.	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 When the satraps, prefects, governors, and nobles of the king came together, they saw that the fire had had no power over the bodies of these men; not a hair of their heads had been singed, nor were their garments altered; there was not even a smell of fire about them.	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 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.	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 I decree for nations and peoples of every language that whoever blasphemes the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut to pieces and his house destroyed. For there is no other God who can rescue like this."	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.	97 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
98 King Nebuchadnezzar to the nations and peoples of every language, wherever they dwell on earth: abundant peace!	98 NEBUCHADNEZZAR, the king, to all peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in the whole world, may peace be increased with you.
99 It has seemed good to me to publish the signs and wonders which the most high God has accomplished in my regard.	99 The supreme God has accomplished signs and wonders with me. Therefore, it has pleased me to proclaim
100 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders; his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures through all generations.	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.