Daniel 3

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on 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 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to assemble the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.	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 Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, were assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that 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 And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,	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 that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up;	5 you are ordered to fall down and worship the golden statue which King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace."	6 Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be instantly cast into a white-hot furnace."
7 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.	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 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans 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, "O king, live for ever!	9 to King Nebuchadnezzar: "O king, live forever!
10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image;	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 whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace.	11 whoever did not was to be cast into a white-hot furnace.
12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no heed to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which 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 Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. Then they brought these men 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 said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image which 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 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well and good; but if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace; and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?"	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 Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.	16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.	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 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which 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 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was wont to be heated.	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 he ordered certain mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast 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 Then these men were bound in their mantles, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were cast into the burning fiery furnace.	21 They were bound and cast into the white-hot furnace with their coats, hats, shoes and other garments,
22 Because the king's order was strict and the furnace very hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.	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 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.	23 But these three fell, bound, into the midst of the white-hot furnace.
24 And they walked about in the midst of the flames, singing hymns to God and blessing the Lord.	24 They walked about in the flames, singing to God and blessing the Lord.
25 Then Azariah stood and offered this prayer; in the midst of the fire he opened his mouth and said:	25 In the fire Azariah stood up and prayed aloud:
26 "Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our fathers, and worthy of praise; and thy name is glorified for ever.	26 "Blessed are you, and praiseworthy, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and glorious forever is your name.
27 For thou art just in all that thou hast done to us, and all thy works are true and thy ways right, and all thy judgments are truth.	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 Thou hast executed true judgments in all that thou hast brought upon us and upon Jerusalem, the holy city of our fathers, for in truth and justice thou hast brought all this upon us because of our sins.	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 For we have sinfully and lawlessly departed from thee, and have sinned in all things and have not obeyed thy 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 or done them, as thou hast commanded us that it might go well with us.	30 Your commandments we have not heeded or observed, nor have we done as you ordered us for our good.
31 So all that thou hast brought upon us, and all that thou hast done to us, thou hast done in true judgment.	31 Therefore all you have brought upon us, all you have done to us,you have done by a proper judgment.
32 Thou hast given us into the hands of lawless enemies, most hateful rebels, and to an unjust king, the most wicked in all the 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 And now we cannot open our mouths; shame and disgrace have befallen thy servants and worshipers.	33 Now we cannot open our mouths; we, your servants, who revere you, have become a shame and a reproach.
34 For thy name's sake do not give us up utterly, and do not break thy covenant,	34 For your name's sake, do not deliver us up forever, or make void your covenant.
35 and do not withdraw thy mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham thy beloved and for the sake of Isaac thy servant and Israel thy 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 thou didst promise to make their descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the sand on the shore of the sea.	36 To whom you promised to multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven, or the sand on the shore of the sea.
37 For we, O Lord, have become fewer than any nation, and are brought low this day in all 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 And at this time there is no prince, or prophet, or leader, no burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, no place to make an offering before thee or to find mercy.	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 Yet with a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted, as though it were with burnt offerings of rams and bulls, and with tens of thousands of fat lambs;	39 But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received;
40 such may our sacrifice be in thy sight this day, and may we wholly follow thee, for there will be no shame for those who trust in thee.	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 with all our heart we follow thee, we fear thee and seek thy face.	41 And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you.
42 Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in thy forbearance and in thy abundant mercy.	42 Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.
43 Deliver us in accordance with thy marvelous works, and give glory to thy name, O Lord! Let all who do harm to thy servants be put to shame;	43 Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name, O Lord:
44 let them be disgraced and deprived of all power and dominion, and let 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 know that thou art the Lord, the only God, glorious over the whole world."	45 Let them know that you alone are the Lord God, glorious over the whole world."
46 Now the king's servants who threw them in did not cease feeding the furnace fires with naphtha, pitch, tow, and brush.	46 Now the king's men who had thrown them in continued to stoke the furnace with brimstone, pitch, tow, and faggots.
47 And the flame streamed out above the furnace forty-nine cubits,	47 The flames rose forty-nine cubits above the furnace,
48 and it broke through and burned those of the Chaldeans whom it caught about the furnace.	48 and spread out, burning the Chaldeans nearby.
49 But the angel of the Lord came down into the furnace to be with Azariah and his companions, and drove the fiery flame out of 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 made the midst of the furnace like a moist whistling wind, so that the fire did not touch them at all or hurt or trouble them.	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 the three, as with one mouth, praised and glorified and blessed God in the furnace, saying:	51 Then these three in the furnace with one voice sang, glorifying and blessing God:
52 "Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our fathers, and to be praised and highly exalted 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 And blessed is thy glorious, holy name and to be highly praised and highly exalted for ever;	53 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
54 Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holy glory and to be extolled and highly glorified for ever.	54 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
55 Blessed art thou, who sittest upon cherubim and lookest upon the deeps, and to be praised and highly exalted 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 art thou upon the throne of thy kingdom and to be extolled and highly exalted for ever.	56 Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.
57 Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven and to be sung and glorified for ever.	57 Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
58 "Bless the Lord, all works of the Lord, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	58 Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
59 Bless the Lord, you heavens, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	59 You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
60 Bless the Lord, you angels of the Lord, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	60 All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
61 Bless the Lord, all waters above the heaven, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	61 All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
62 Bless the Lord, all powers, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	62 Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
63 Bless the Lord, sun and moon, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	63 Stars of heaven, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
64 Bless the Lord, stars of heaven, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	64 Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
65 Bless the Lord, all rain and dew, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	65 All you winds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
66 Bless the Lord, all winds, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	66 Fire and heat, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
67 Bless the Lord, fire and heat, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	67 [Cold and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
68 Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	68 Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
69 Bless the Lord, dews and snows, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	69 Frost and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
70 Bless the Lord, nights and days, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	70 Ice and snow, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
71 Bless the Lord, light and darkness, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	71 Nights and days, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
72 Bless the Lord, ice and cold, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	72 Light and darkness, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
73 Bless the Lord, frosts and snows, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	73 Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
74 Bless the Lord, lightnings and clouds, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	74 Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
75 Let the earth bless the Lord; let it sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	75 Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
76 Bless the Lord, mountains and hills, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	76 Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
77 Bless the Lord, all things that grow on the earth, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	77 You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
78 Bless the Lord, you springs, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	78 Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
79 Bless the Lord, seas and rivers, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	79 You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
80 Bless the Lord, you whales and all creatures that move in the waters, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	80 All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
81 Bless the Lord, all birds of the air, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	81 All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
82 Bless the Lord, all beasts and cattle, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	82 You sons of men, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
83 Bless the Lord, you sons of men, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	83 O Israel, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
84 Bless the Lord, O Israel, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	84 Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
85 Bless the Lord, you priests of the Lord, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	85 Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
86 Bless the Lord, you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	86 Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
87 Bless the Lord, spirits and souls of the righteous, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	87 Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
88 Bless the Lord, you who are holy and humble in heart, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.	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 Bless the Lord, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever; for he has rescued us from Hades and saved us from the hand of death, and delivered us from the midst of the burning fiery furnace; from the midst of the fire he has delivered us.	89 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.
90 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever.	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 Bless him, all who worship the Lord, the God of gods, sing praise to him and give thanks to him, for his mercy endures for ever."	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 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He said to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered the king, "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."
93 He answered, "But I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods."	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 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace and said, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come forth, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from 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.
95 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men; the hair of their heads was not singed, their mantles were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon 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.
96 Nebuchadnezzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set at nought the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own 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."
97 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins; for there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way."	97 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
98 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!
	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 are his signs, how mighty his wonders; his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures through all generations.