Daniel 3

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 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 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 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 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 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 then loudly proclaimed: 'Peoples, nations, languages! Thus are you commanded:	4 And a herald proclaimed loudly, “To you it is said, to you peoples, tribes, and languages,
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 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 Anyone who does not prostrate himself and worship wil immediately be thrown into the burning fieryfurnace.'	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 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 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 Some Chaldaeans then came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.	8 And soon, about the same time, some influential Chaldeans came and accused the Jews,
9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, 'May Your Majesty live for ever!	9 and they said 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 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 and that anyone who does not prostrate himself and worship is to be thrown into the burning fieryfurnace.	11 But if any man will not fall down and adore, he would be cast into a furnace of burning fire.
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 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 Shaking with fury, Nebuchadnezzar sent for Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. The men wereimmediately 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 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 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 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 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 Abed-Nego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, 'Your question needs noanswer from us:	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, 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 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 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, 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 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 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 commanded certain stalwarts from his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego andthrow them into the burning fiery 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 then bound in their cloaks, trousers, headgear and other garments, and thrown into theburning fiery furnace.	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 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 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 the three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego fel , bound, into the burning fiery 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 And they walked in the heart of the flames, praising God and blessing the Lord.	24 And they were walking in the midst of the flame, praising God and blessing the Lord.
25 Azariah stood in the heart of the fire, praying aloud thus:	25 Then Azariah, while standing, prayed in this manner, and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said:
26 May you be blessed and revered, Lord, God of our ancestors, may your name be held glorious forever.	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 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 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 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 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 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 we have committed iniquity in withdrawing from you, and we have offended in all things.
30 we have not observed them, we have not done what you commanded us to do for our own 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 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, 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, to a lawless people, the worst of the godless, to an unjustking, the worst in the whole 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 today we have no right to open our mouths, shame and dishonour are the lot of those who serve andworship you.	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 abandon us for ever, for the sake of your name; do not repudiate 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 withdraw your favour from us, for the sake of Abraham, your friend, of Isaac, your servant, andof 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 make their descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the grainsof sand on the seashore.	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 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, 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 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 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 and win your favour. But may the contrite soul, the humbled spirit, be as acceptable to you	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 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 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 put our whole heart into fol owing you, into fearing you and seeking your face once more.	41 And now we follow you wholeheartedly, and we fear you, and we seek your face.
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 put us to shame, but deal with us in agreement with your clemency and according to the multitude of your mercies.
43 Rescue us in accordance with your wonderful deeds and win fresh glory for your name, O Lord.	43 And rescue us by your wonders and give 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 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 learn that you alone are God and Lord, glorious over the whole world.	45 And may they know that you are the Lord, the only God, and glorious above the 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 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 until the flames rose forty-nine cubits above the furnace	47 And the flame streamed forth above the furnace for forty-nine cubits.
48 and, leaping out, burnt those Chaldaeans to death who were standing round it.	48 And the fire erupted and burnt those of the Chaldeans within its reach near the furnace.
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 descended with Azariah and his companions into the furnace; and he cast the flame of the fire 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 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 al three in unison began to sing, glorifying and blessing God in the furnace, with the words:	51 Then these three, as if with one voice, praised and glorified and blessed God, in the furnace, saying:
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, 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 May you be blessed in the Temple of your sacred glory, exalted and glorified above all for ever:	53 Blessed are you in the holy temple of your glory: praiseworthy above all and exalted 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 above all 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 beholds the abyss and sits upon the cherubims: 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 All works of the Lord, bless 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 Heaven, 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 waters that are 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 powers 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 rain 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 Every breath of God, 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 steam, 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 heat, 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 Dews and frost, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
69 Bless the Lord, frost and cold, praise and glorify him for ever!	69 Sleet and winter, 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 Lightning 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 May the land bless the Lord: and 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 All things that grow in the land, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
77 Bless the Lord, springs of water, praise and glorify him for ever!	77 Fountains, 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 Whales and all things that move in the waters, 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 things that fly in the heavens, 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 beasts and cattle, 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 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 May Israel bless the Lord: and 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 Those who are holy and humble in 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 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 love is everlasting.	89 Give thanks to the Lord because he is good: because his mercy is forever.
90 Bless the Lord, the God of gods, al who fear him, give praise and thanks to him, for his love iseverlasting!	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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 '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 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 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, 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 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 NEBUCHADNEZZAR, the king, to all peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in the whole world, may peace be increased with you.
99 'It is my pleasure to make known the signs and wonders with which the Most High God has favouredme.	99 The supreme God has accomplished signs and wonders with me. Therefore, it has pleased me to proclaim
100 How great his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, his empireendures age after age!'	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.