Daniel 3

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue made, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, which he set upon the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.	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.
2 King Nebuchadnezzar then summoned the satraps, magistrates, governors, counsel ors, treasurers,judges, lawyers, and al the provincial authorities to assemble and attend the dedication of the statue set up byKing Nebuchadnezzar.	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.
3 Satraps, magistrates, governors, counsel ors, treasurers, judges, lawyers and al the provincialauthorities then assembled for the dedication of the statue set up by King Nebuchadnezzar and stood in front ofthe statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.	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.
4 A herald then loudly proclaimed: 'Peoples, nations, languages! Thus are you commanded:	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,
5 the moment you hear the sound of horn, pipe, lyre, zither, harp, bagpipe and every other kind ofinstrument, you wil prostrate yourselves and worship the golden statue set up by King Nebuchadnezzar.	5 you are ordered to fall down and worship the golden statue which King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6 Anyone who does not prostrate himself and worship wil immediately be thrown into the burning fieryfurnace.'	6 Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be instantly cast into a white-hot furnace."
7 And so, the instant al the peoples heard the sound of horn, pipe, lyre, zither, harp, bagpipe and al theother instruments, al the peoples, nations and languages prostrated themselves and worshipped the statue setup by King Nebuchadnezzar.	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.
8 Some Chaldaeans then came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.	8 At that point, some of the Chaldeans came and accused the Jews
9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, 'May Your Majesty live for ever!	9 to King Nebuchadnezzar: "O king, live forever!
10 You have issued a decree, Your Majesty, to the effect that everyone on hearing the sound of horn,pipe, lyre, zither, harp, bagpipe and every other kind of instrument is to prostrate himself and worship the goldenstatue;	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;
11 and that anyone who does not prostrate himself and worship is to be thrown into the burning fieryfurnace.	11 whoever did not was to be cast into a white-hot furnace.
12 Now, there are certain Jews to whom you have entrusted the affairs of the province of Babylon:Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego; these men have ignored your command, Your Majesty; they do not serveyour gods, and refuse to worship the golden statue you have set up.'	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."
13 Shaking with fury, Nebuchadnezzar sent for Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. The men wereimmediately brought before the king.	13 Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and sent for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were promptly brought before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar addressed them, 'Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, is it true that you do notserve my gods, and that you refuse to worship the golden statue I have set up?	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?
15 When you hear the sound of horn, pipe, lyre, zither, harp, bagpipe and every other kind of instrument,are you prepared to prostrate yourselves and worship the statue I have made? If you refuse to worship it, youwil be thrown forthwith into the burning fiery furnace; then which of the gods could save you from my power?'	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?"
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, 'Your question needs noanswer from us:	16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
17 if our God, the one we serve, is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace and from your power,Your Majesty, he wil save us;	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!
18 and even if he does not, then you must know, Your Majesty, that we wil not serve your god or worshipthe statue you have set up.'	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."
19 This infuriated King Nebuchadnezzar; his expression was changed now as he looked at Shadrach,Meshach and Abed-Nego. He gave orders for the furnace to be made seven times hotter than usual	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
20 and commanded certain stalwarts from his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego andthrow them into the burning fiery furnace.	20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace.
21 They were then bound in their cloaks, trousers, headgear and other garments, and thrown into theburning fiery furnace.	21 They were bound and cast into the white-hot furnace with their coats, hats, shoes and other garments,
22 The king's command was so urgent and the heat of the furnace was so fierce, that the men carryingShadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were burnt to death by the flames from the 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.
23 the three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego fel , bound, into the burning fiery furnace.	23 But these three fell, bound, into the midst of the white-hot furnace.
24 And they walked in the heart of the flames, praising God and blessing the Lord.	24 They walked about in the flames, singing to God and blessing the Lord.
25 Azariah stood in the heart of the fire, praying aloud thus:	25 In the fire Azariah stood up and prayed aloud:
26 May you be blessed and revered, Lord, God of our ancestors, may your name be held glorious forever.	26 "Blessed are you, and praiseworthy, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and glorious forever is your name.
27 For you are upright in al that you have done for us, al your deeds are true, all your ways right, al yourjudgements true.	27 For you are just in all you have done; all your deeds are faultless, all your ways right, and all your judgments proper.
28 True is the sentence you have given in al that you have brought down on us and on Jerusalem, theholy city of our ancestors, for you have treated us rightly and truly, as our sins deserve.	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;
29 Yes, we have sinned and committed a crime by deserting you, yes, we have greatly sinned; we havenot listened to your commandments,	29 For we have sinned and transgressed by departing from you, and we have done every kind of evil.
30 we have not observed them, we have not done what you commanded us to do for our own good.	30 Your commandments we have not heeded or observed, nor have we done as you ordered us for our good.
31 Yes, al that you have brought down on us, al that you have done to us, you have been ful y justifiedin doing.	31 Therefore all you have brought upon us, all you have done to us,you have done by a proper judgment.
32 You have handed us over to our enemies, to a lawless people, the worst of the godless, to an unjustking, the worst in the whole world;	32 You have handed us over to our enemies, lawless and hateful rebels; to an unjust king, the worst in all the world.
33 today we have no right to open our mouths, shame and dishonour are the lot of those who serve andworship you.	33 Now we cannot open our mouths; we, your servants, who revere you, have become a shame and a reproach.
34 Do not abandon us for ever, for the sake of your name; do not repudiate your covenant,	34 For your name's sake, do not deliver us up forever, or make void your covenant.
35 do not withdraw your favour from us, for the sake of Abraham, your friend, of Isaac, your servant, andof Israel, your holy one,	35 Do not take away your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, your beloved, Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,
36 to whom you promised to make their descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the grainsof sand on the seashore.	36 To whom you promised to multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven, or the sand on the shore of the sea.
37 Lord, we have become the least of al nations, we are put to shame today throughout the world,because of our sins.	37 For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation, brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins.
38 We now have no leader, no prophet, no prince, no burnt offering, no sacrifice, no oblation, no incense,no place where we can make offerings to you	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.
39 and win your favour. But may the contrite soul, the humbled spirit, be as acceptable to you	39 But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received;
40 as burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, as thousands of fat lambs: such let our sacrifice be to youtoday, and may it please you that we fol ow you whole-heartedly, since those who trust in you wil not beshamed.	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.
41 And now we put our whole heart into fol owing you, into fearing you and seeking your face once more.	41 And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you.
42 Do not abandon us to shame but treat us in accordance with your gentleness, in accordance with thegreatness of your mercy.	42 Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.
43 Rescue us in accordance with your wonderful deeds and win fresh glory for your name, O Lord.	43 Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name, O Lord:
44 Confusion seize al who il -treat your servants: may they be covered with shame, deprived of al theirpower, and may their strength be broken.	44 Let all those be routed who inflict evils on your servants; Let them be shamed and powerless, and their strength broken;
45 Let them learn that you alone are God and Lord, glorious over the whole world.	45 Let them know that you alone are the Lord God, glorious over the whole world."
46 Al this time, the king's servants, who had thrown them into the furnace, had been stoking it with crudeoil, pitch, tow and brushwood	46 Now the king's men who had thrown them in continued to stoke the furnace with brimstone, pitch, tow, and faggots.
47 until the flames rose forty-nine cubits above the furnace	47 The flames rose forty-nine cubits above the furnace,
48 and, leaping out, burnt those Chaldaeans to death who were standing round it.	48 and spread out, burning the Chaldeans nearby.
49 But the angel of the Lord came down into the furnace beside Azariah and his companions; he drovethe flames of the fire outwards from 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,
50 and, in the heart of the furnace, wafted a coolness to them as of the breeze and dew, so that the firedid not touch them at al and caused them no pain or distress.	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.
51 Then al three in unison began to sing, glorifying and blessing God in the furnace, with the words:	51 Then these three in the furnace with one voice sang, glorifying and blessing God:
52 May you be blessed, Lord, God of our ancestors, be praised and extol ed for ever. Blessed be yourglorious and holy name, praised and extol ed for ever.	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.
53 May you be blessed in the Temple of your sacred glory, exalted and glorified above all for ever:	53 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
54 blessed on the throne of your kingdom, exalted above al , glorified for ever:	54 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
55 blessed are you who fathom the abyss, enthroned on the winged creatures, praised and exaltedabove al for ever:	55 Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
56 blessed in the expanse of the heavens, exalted and glorified for ever.	56 Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.
57 Bless the Lord, al the Lord's creation: praise and glorify him for ever!	57 Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
58 Bless the Lord, angels of the Lord, praise and glorify him for ever!	58 Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
59 Bless the Lord, heavens, praise and glorify him for ever!	59 You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
60 Bless the Lord, al the waters above the heavens, praise and glorify him for ever!	60 All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
61 Bless the Lord, powers of the Lord, praise and glorify him for ever!	61 All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
62 Bless the Lord, sun and moon, praise and glorify him for ever!	62 Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
63 Bless the Lord, stars of heaven, praise and glorify him for ever!	63 Stars of heaven, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
64 Bless the Lord, al rain and dew, praise and glorify him for ever!	64 Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
65 Bless the Lord, every wind, praise and glorify him for ever!	65 All you winds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
66 Bless the Lord, fire and heat, praise and glorify him for ever!	66 Fire and heat, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
67 Bless the Lord, cold and warmth, praise and glorify him for ever!	67 [Cold and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
68 Bless the Lord, dew and snow-storm, praise and glorify him for ever!	68 Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
69 Bless the Lord, frost and cold, praise and glorify him for ever!	69 Frost and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
70 Bless the Lord, ice and snow, praise and glorify him for ever!	70 Ice and snow, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
71 Bless the Lord, nights and days, praise and glorify him for ever!	71 Nights and days, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
72 Bless the Lord, light and darkness, praise and glorify him for ever!	72 Light and darkness, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
73 Bless the Lord, lightning and cloud, praise and glorify him for ever!	73 Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
74 Let the earth bless the Lord: praise and glorify him for ever!	74 Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
75 Bless the Lord, mountains and hills, praise and glorify him for ever!	75 Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
76 Bless the Lord, every plant that grows, praise and glorify him for ever!	76 Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
77 Bless the Lord, springs of water, praise and glorify him for ever!	77 You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
78 Bless the Lord, seas and rivers, praise and glorify him for ever!	78 Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
79 Bless the Lord, whales, and everything that moves in the waters, praise and glorify him for ever!	79 You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
80 Bless the Lord, every kind of bird, praise and glorify him for ever!	80 All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
81 Bless the Lord, al animals wild and tame, praise and glorify him for ever!	81 All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
82 Bless the Lord, al the human race: praise and glorify him for ever!	82 You sons of men, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
83 Bless the Lord, O Israel, praise and glorify him for ever!	83 O Israel, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
84 Bless the Lord, priests, praise and glorify him for ever!	84 Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
85 Bless the Lord, his servants, praise and glorify him for ever!	85 Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
86 Bless the Lord, spirits and souls of the upright, praise and glorify him for ever!	86 Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
87 Bless the Lord, faithful, humble-hearted people, praise and glorify him for ever!	87 Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
88 Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael, bless the Lord, praise and glorify him for ever!-For he has rescued usfrom the Underworld, he has saved us from the hand of Death, he has snatched us from the burning fieryfurnace, he has drawn us from the heart of the flame!	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.
89 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his love is everlasting.	89 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.
90 Bless the Lord, the God of gods, al who fear him, give praise and thanks to him, for his love iseverlasting!	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,
91 King Nebuchadnezzar sprang to his feet in amazement. He said to his advisers, 'Did we not havethese three men thrown bound into the fire?' They answered the king, 'Certainly, Your Majesty'.	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.
92 'But', he went on, 'I can see four men walking free in the heart of the fire and quite unharmed! And thefourth looks like a child of the gods!'	92 "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God."
93 Nebuchadnezzar approached the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and said, 'Shadrach, Meshachand Abed-Nego, servants of God Most High, come out, come here!' And from the heart of the fire out cameShadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego.	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.
94 The satraps, magistrates, governors, and advisers of the king crowded round the three men toexamine them: the fire had had no effect on their bodies: not a hair of their heads had been singed, their cloakswere not scorched, no smell of burning hung about them. Nebuchadnezzar said,	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.
95 'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego: he has sent his angel to rescue hisservants who, putting their trust in him, defied the order of the king, and preferred to forfeit their bodies ratherthan serve or worship any god but their God.	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.
96 I therefore decree as fol ows, "Peoples, nations, and languages! Let any of you speak disrespectful yof the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, and I shal have him torn limb from limb and his house turnedinto a dunghil ; for there is no other god who can save like this." '	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."
97 The king then showered favours on Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.	97 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
98 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations and languages dwelling throughout the world: may youprosper more and more!	98 King Nebuchadnezzar to the nations and peoples of every language, wherever they dwell on earth: abundant peace!
99 'It is my pleasure to make known the signs and wonders with which the Most High God has favouredme.	99 It has seemed good to me to publish the signs and wonders which the most high God has accomplished in my regard.
100 How great his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, his empireendures age after age!'	100 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders; his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures through all generations.