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Daniel 3

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1 ἔτους ὀκτωκαιδεκάτου Ναβουχοδονοσορ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐποίησεν εἰκόνα χρυσῆν ὕψος αὐτῆς πήχεων ἑξήκοντα εὖρος αὐτῆς πήχεων ἕξ καὶ ἔστησεν αὐτὴν ἐν πεδίῳ Δεϊρα ἐν χώρᾳ Βαβυλῶνος 2 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν συναγαγεῖν τοὺς ὑπάτους καὶ τοὺς στρατηγοὺς καὶ τοὺς τοπάρχας ἡγουμένους καὶ τυράννους καὶ τοὺς ἐ{P'} ἐξουσιῶν καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἄρχοντας τῶν χωρῶν ἐλθεῖν εἰς τὰ ἐγκαίνια τῆς εἰκόνος ἧς ἔστησεν Ναβουχοδονοσορ ὁ βασιλεύς 3 καὶ συνήχθησαν οἱ τοπάρχαι ὕπατοι στρατηγοί ἡγούμενοι τύραννοι μεγάλοι οἱ ἐ{P'} ἐξουσιῶν καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν χωρῶν εἰς τὸν ἐγκαινισμὸν τῆς εἰκόνος ἧς ἔστησεν Ναβουχοδονοσορ ὁ βασιλεύς καὶ εἱστήκεισαν ἐνώπιον τῆς εἰκόνος ἧς ἔστησεν Ναβουχοδονοσορ 4 καὶ ὁ κῆρυξ ἐβόα ἐν ἰσχύι ὑμῖν λέγεται λαοί φυλαί γλῶσσαι 5 ᾗ ἂν ὥρᾳ ἀκούσητε τῆς φωνῆς τῆς σάλπιγγος σύριγγός τε καὶ κιθάρας σαμβύκης καὶ ψαλτηρίου καὶ συμφωνίας καὶ παντὸς γένους μουσικῶν πίπτοντες προσκυνεῖτε τῇ εἰκόνι τῇ χρυσῇ ᾗ ἔστησεν Ναβουχοδονοσορ ὁ βασιλεύς 6 καὶ ὃς ἂν μὴ πεσὼν προσκυνήσῃ αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ ἐμβληθήσεται εἰς τὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρὸς τὴν καιομένην 7 καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἤκουσαν οἱ λαοὶ τῆς φωνῆς τῆς σάλπιγγος σύριγγός τε καὶ κιθάρας σαμβύκης καὶ ψαλτηρίου καὶ συμφωνίας καὶ παντὸς γένους μουσικῶν πίπτοντες πάντες οἱ λαοί φυλαί γλῶσσαι προσεκύνουν τῇ εἰκόνι τῇ χρυσῇ ᾗ ἔστησεν Ναβουχοδονοσορ ὁ βασιλεύς

1 It was this king Nabuchodonosor made a golden image, sixty cubits high and six cubits broad, which he set up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon; 2 and word went round in king Nabuchodonosor’s name, summoning all the governors, magistrates, judges, chieftains, rulers, prefects and leading men from every part of his dominions, to be present at the dedication of the image king Nabuchodonosor had set up. 3 So they gathered there, governors, magistrates, judges, chieftains, rulers, noblemen in high office, and leading men from every part, for the dedication of king Nabuchodonosor’s image. And, as they stood before the image he had set up, 4 a herald cried lustily to men of all peoples, nations and languages: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of horn, flute, harp, zither, dulcimer, pipe and other instruments of music, you are to fall down and worship the image of gold which king Nabuchodonosor has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down in worship will be thrown, there and then, into the heart of a raging furnace. 7 No sooner, then, did the sound of horn, flute, harp, zither, dulcimer, pipe and the rest reach the assembly than all of them, whatever their tribe, people or language, fell down in worship of king Nabuchodonosor’s image.

1 Nabuchodonosor rex fecit statuam auream, altitudine cubitorum sexaginta, latitudine cubitorum sex, et statuit eam in campo Dura, provinciæ Babylonis. 2 Itaque Nabuchodonosor rex misit ad congregandos satrapas, magistratus, et judices, duces, et tyrannos, et præfectos, omnesque principes regionum, ut convenirent ad dedicationem statuæ quam erexerat Nabuchodonosor rex. 3 Tunc congregati sunt satrapæ, magistratus, et judices, duces, et tyranni, et optimates, qui erant in potestatibus constituti, et universi principes regionum, ut convenirent ad dedicationem statuæ, quam erexerat Nabuchodonosor rex. Stabant autem in conspectu statuæ, quam posuerat Nabuchodonosor rex: 4 et præco clamabat valenter: Vobis dicitur populis, tribubus, et linguis: 5 in hora qua audieritis sonitum tubæ, et fistulæ, et citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, et universi generis musicorum, cadentes adorate statuam auream, quam constituit Nabuchodonosor rex. 6 Si quis autem non prostratus adoraverit, eadem hora mittetur in fornacem ignis ardentis. 7 Post hæc igitur, statim ut audierunt omnes populi sonitum tubæ, fistulæ, et citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, et omnis generis musicorum, cadentes omnes populi, tribus, et linguæ adoraverunt statuam auream, quam constituerat Nabuchodonosor rex.

8 τότε προσήλθοσαν ἄνδρες Χαλδαῖοι καὶ διέβαλον τοὺς Ιουδαίους 9 τῷ βασιλεῖ Ναβουχοδονοσορ βασιλεῦ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας ζῆθι 10 σύ βασιλεῦ ἔθηκας δόγμα πάντα ἄνθρωπον ὃς ἂν ἀκούσῃ τῆς φωνῆς τῆς σάλπιγγος σύριγγός τε καὶ κιθάρας σαμβύκης καὶ ψαλτηρίου καὶ συμφωνίας καὶ παντὸς γένους μουσικῶν 11 καὶ μὴ πεσὼν προσκυνήσῃ τῇ εἰκόνι τῇ χρυσῇ ἐμβληθήσεται εἰς τὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρὸς τὴν καιομένην 12 εἰσὶν ἄνδρες Ιουδαῖοι οὓς κατέστησας ἐπὶ τὰ ἔργα τῆς χώρας Βαβυλῶνος Σεδραχ Μισαχ Αβδεναγω οἱ ἄνδρες ἐκεῖνοι οὐχ ὑπήκουσαν βασιλεῦ τῷ δόγματί σου τοῖς θεοῖς σου οὐ λατρεύουσιν καὶ τῇ εἰκόνι τῇ χρυσῇ ᾗ ἔστησας οὐ προσκυνοῦσιν 13 τότε Ναβουχοδονοσορ ἐν θυμῷ καὶ ὀργῇ εἶπεν ἀγαγεῖν τὸν Σεδραχ Μισαχ καὶ Αβδεναγω καὶ ἤχθησαν ἐνώπιον τοῦ βασιλέως 14 καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Ναβουχοδονοσορ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς εἰ ἀληθῶς Σεδραχ Μισαχ Αβδεναγω τοῖς θεοῖς μου οὐ λατρεύετε καὶ τῇ εἰκόνι τῇ χρυσῇ ᾗ ἔστησα οὐ προσκυνεῖτε 15 νῦν οὖν εἰ ἔχετε ἑτοίμως ἵνα ὡς ἂν ἀκούσητε τῆς φωνῆς τῆς σάλπιγγος σύριγγός τε καὶ κιθάρας σαμβύκης καὶ ψαλτηρίου καὶ συμφωνίας καὶ παντὸς γένους μουσικῶν πεσόντες προσκυνήσητε τῇ εἰκόνι ᾗ ἐποίησα ἐὰν δὲ μὴ προσκυνήσητε αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ ἐμβληθήσεσθε εἰς τὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρὸς τὴν καιομένην καὶ τίς ἐστιν θεός ὃς ἐξελεῖται ὑμᾶς ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν μου

8 It was then that certain Chaldaeans came forward with malicious accusations against the Jews. 9 They wished long life to king Nabuchodonosor, 10 and said, Lord King, thy command was that all men, at the sound of horn, flute, harp, zither, dulcimer, pipe and the rest, should fall down and worship the golden image, 11 on pain of being thrown into a raging furnace. 12 And here are certain Jews, entrusted by thee with the affairs of Babylon province, to wit, Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, who have set the royal command at defiance, and will not reverence thy gods, or worship the golden image thou hast set up. 13 Upon this, in a transport of rage, Nabuchodonosor sent for Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago; and when they were brought, without delay, into his presence, 14 this was the threat king Nabuchodonosor uttered: So Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago will not reverence my gods, or worship this golden image of mine? 15 Here is your choice, then; either you will fall down and worship this image of mine when the sound of horn, flute, harp, zither, dulcimer, pipe and the other music reaches you, or then and there you shall be thrown into a raging furnace. You are in my power; what God can deliver you?

8 Statimque in ipso tempore accedentes viri Chaldæi accusaverunt Judæos: 9 dixeruntque Nabuchodonosor regi: Rex, in æternum vive! 10 tu, rex, posuisti decretum, ut omnis homo, qui audierit sonitum tubæ, fistulæ, et citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, et universi generis musicorum, prosternat se, et adoret statuam auream: 11 si quis autem non procidens adoraverit, mittatur in fornacem ignis ardentis. 12 Sunt ergo viri Judæi, quos constituisti super opera regionis Babylonis, Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago: viri isti contempserunt, rex, decretum tuum: deos tuos non colunt, et statuam auream, quam erexisti, non adorant. 13 Tunc Nabuchodonosor, in furore et in ira, præcepit ut adducerentur Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago: qui confestim adducti sunt in conspectu regis. 14 Pronuntiansque Nabuchodonosor rex, ait eis: Verene Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, deos meos non colitis, et statuam auream, quam constitui, non adoratis? 15 nunc ergo si estis parati, quacumque hora audieritis sonitum tubæ, fistulæ, citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, omnisque generis musicorum, prosternite vos, et adorate statuam, quam feci: quod si non adoraveritis, eadem hora mittemini in fornacem ignis ardentis: et quis est Deus, qui eripiet vos de manu mea?

16 καὶ ἀπεκρίθησαν Σεδραχ Μισαχ Αβδεναγω λέγοντες τῷ βασιλεῖ Ναβουχοδονοσορ οὐ χρείαν ἔχομεν ἡμεῖς περὶ τοῦ ῥήματος τούτου ἀποκριθῆναί σοι 17 ἔστιν γὰρ θεός ᾧ ἡμεῖς λατρεύομεν δυνατὸς ἐξελέσθαι ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῆς καμίνου τοῦ πυρὸς τῆς καιομένης καὶ ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν σου βασιλεῦ ῥύσεται ἡμᾶς 18 καὶ ἐὰν μή γνωστὸν ἔστω σοι βασιλεῦ ὅτι τοῖς θεοῖς σου οὐ λατρεύομεν καὶ τῇ εἰκόνι τῇ χρυσῇ ᾗ ἔστησας οὐ προσκυνοῦμεν 19 τότε Ναβουχοδονοσορ ἐπλήσθη θυμοῦ καὶ ἡ ὄψις τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ἠλλοιώθη ἐπὶ Σεδραχ Μισαχ καὶ Αβδεναγω καὶ εἶπεν ἐκκαῦσαι τὴν κάμινον ἑπταπλασίως ἕως οὗ εἰς τέλος ἐκκαῇ 20 καὶ ἄνδρας ἰσχυροὺς ἰσχύι εἶπεν πεδήσαντας τὸν Σεδραχ Μισαχ καὶ Αβδεναγω ἐμβαλεῖν εἰς τὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρὸς τὴν καιομένην 21 τότε οἱ ἄνδρες ἐκεῖνοι ἐπεδήθησαν σὺν τοῖς σαραβάροις αὐτῶν καὶ τιάραις καὶ περικνημῖσι καὶ ἐνδύμασιν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐβλήθησαν εἰς μέσον τῆς καμίνου τοῦ πυρὸς τῆς καιομένης 22 ἐπεὶ τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦ βασιλέως ὑπερίσχυεν καὶ ἡ κάμινος ἐξεκαύθη ἐκ περισσοῦ 23 καὶ οἱ τρεῖς οὗτοι Σεδραχ Μισαχ καὶ Αβδεναγω ἔπεσον εἰς μέσον τῆς καμίνου τοῦ πυρὸς τῆς καιομένης πεπεδημένοι

16 Then Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago said to king Nabuchodonosor, There is no need for any answer of ours to that question; 17 thou wilt see for thyself whether the God we worship is able to rescue us from the raging fire, and from thy royal power. 18 But, whether he rescues us or no, be assured, sir king, here are men who do not reverence thy gods, or worship any image of thine. 19 At this, Nabuchodonosor fell into a rage; his features, as he glared at Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, were distorted with fury. He would have the furnace heated seven times hotter than its wont; 20 and into this raging furnace he bade the most stalwart of his fighting men throw Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago with their feet tied together. 21 So they were bound just as they were, in breeches and turban, shoes and coat, and thrown into the heart of the raging furnace; 22 the king’s order admitted no delay. So fiercely was the furnace heated that those who threw them in were burned to death. 23 Meanwhile these three, Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, fell fast bound into the heart of the fires that raged in it.

16 Respondentes Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, dixerunt regi Nabuchodonosor: Non oportet nos de hac re respondere tibi. 17 Ecce enim Deus noster, quem colimus, potest eripere nos de camino ignis ardentis, et de manibus tuis, o rex, liberare. 18 Quod si noluerit, notum sit tibi, rex, quia deos tuos non colimus, et statuam auream, quam erexisti, non adoramus. 19 Tunc Nabuchodonosor repletus est furore, et aspectus faciei illius immutatus est super Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago: et præcepit ut succenderetur fornax septuplum quam succendi consueverat. 20 Et viris fortissimis de exercitu suo jussit ut ligatis pedibus Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, mitterent eos in fornacem ignis ardentis. 21 Et confestim viri illi vincti, cum braccis suis, et tiaris, et calceamentis, et vestibus, missi sunt in medium fornacis ignis ardentis: 22 nam jussio regis urgebat. Fornax autem succensa erat nimis: porro viros illos, qui miserant Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, interfecit flamma ignis. 23 Viri autem hi tres, id est, Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, ceciderunt in medio camino ignis ardentis, colligati.

24 καὶ περιεπάτουν ἐν μέσῳ τῆς φλογὸς ὑμνοῦντες τὸν θεὸν καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν κύριον 25 καὶ συστὰς Αζαριας προσηύξατο οὕτως καὶ ἀνοίξας τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ πυρὸς εἶπεν 26 εὐλογητὸς εἶ κύριε ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν καὶ αἰνετός καὶ δεδοξασμένον τὸ ὄνομά σου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 27 ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν καὶ πάντα τὰ ἔργα σου ἀληθινά καὶ εὐθεῖαι αἱ ὁδοί σου καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ κρίσεις σου ἀλήθεια 28 καὶ κρίματα ἀληθείας ἐποίησας κατὰ πάντα ἃ ἐπήγαγες ἡμῖν καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν πόλιν τὴν ἁγίαν τὴν τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν Ιερουσαλημ ὅτι ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ κρίσει ἐπήγαγες πάντα ταῦτα διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν 29 ὅτι ἡμάρτομεν καὶ ἠνομήσαμεν ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ ἐξημάρτομεν ἐν πᾶσιν καὶ τῶν ἐντολῶν σου οὐκ ἠκούσαμεν 30 οὐδὲ συνετηρήσαμεν οὐδὲ ἐποιήσαμεν καθὼς ἐνετείλω ἡμῖν ἵνα εὖ ἡμῖν γένηται 31 καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἡμῖν ἐπήγαγες καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησας ἡμῖν ἐν ἀληθινῇ κρίσει ἐποίησας 32 καὶ παρέδωκας ἡμᾶς εἰς χεῖρας ἐχθρῶν ἀνόμων ἐχθίστων ἀποστατῶν καὶ βασιλεῖ ἀδίκῳ καὶ πονηροτάτῳ παρὰ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν 33 καὶ νῦν οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἀνοῖξαι τὸ στόμα αἰσχύνη καὶ ὄνειδος ἐγενήθη τοῖς δούλοις σου καὶ τοῖς σεβομένοις σε

24 And there, in the hottest of the flames, they walked to and fro, singing to God their praises, blessing the Lord. 25 There, as he stood in the heart of the fire, Azarias found utterance, and thus made his prayer: 26 Blessed art thou, Lord God of our fathers, renowned and glorious is thy name for ever! 27 In all thy dealings with us, thou hast right on thy side; so true to thy promises, so unswerving in thy course, so just in thy awards! 28 No punishment thou hast inflicted upon us, or upon Jerusalem, holy city of our fathers, but was deserved; for sins of ours, faithfulness and justice that stroke laid on. 29 Sinners we were, that had wronged and forsaken thee, all was amiss with us; 30 unheard thy commandments, or else unheeded, thy will neglected, and with it, our own well-being! 31 Nothing we had not deserved, pillage of thy contriving, plague of thy sending, 32 and at last the foul domination of godless foes, of a tyrant that has no equal on earth! 33 Tongue-tied we stand, that have brought disgrace on the livery of thy true worship.

24 Et ambulabant in medio flammæ, laudantes Deum, et benedicentes Domino. 25 Stans autem Azarias oravit sic, aperiensque os suum in medio ignis, ait: 26

Benedictus es, Domine Deus patrum nostrorum,
et laudabile, et gloriosum nomen tuum in sæcula: 27
quia justus es in omnibus, quæ fecisti nobis,
et universa opera tua vera, et viæ tuæ rectæ,
et omnia judicia tua vera. 28
Judicia enim vera fecisti
juxta omnia, quæ induxisti super nos,
et super civitatem sanctam patrum nostrorum Jerusalem:
quia in veritate et in judicio induxisti omnia hæc
propter peccata nostra. 29
Peccavimus enim, et inique egimus recedentes a te,
et deliquimus in omnibus: 30
et præcepta tua non audivimus,
nec observavimus,
nec fecimus sicut præceperas nobis
ut bene nobis esset. 31
Omnia ergo, quæ induxisti super nos,
et universa quæ fecisti nobis,
in vero judicio fecisti; 32
et tradidisti nos in manibus inimicorum nostrorum iniquorum,
et pessimorum, prævaricatorumque,
et regi injusto, et pessimo ultra omnem terram. 33
Et nunc non possumus aperire os:
confusio, et opprobrium facti sumus servis tuis,
et his qui colunt te.

34 μὴ δὴ παραδῷς ἡμᾶς εἰς τέλος διὰ τὸ ὄνομά σου καὶ μὴ διασκεδάσῃς τὴν διαθήκην σου 35 καὶ μὴ ἀποστήσῃς τὸ ἔλεός σου ἀ{F'} ἡμῶν δ{I'} Αβρααμ τὸν ἠγαπημένον ὑπὸ σοῦ καὶ διὰ Ισαακ τὸν δοῦλόν σου καὶ Ισραηλ τὸν ἅγιόν σου 36 οἷς ἐλάλησας πρὸς αὐτοὺς λέγων πληθῦναι τὸ σπέρμα αὐτῶν ὡς τὰ ἄστρα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ὡς τὴν ἄμμον τὴν παρὰ τὸ χεῖλος τῆς θαλάσσης 37 ὅτι δέσποτα ἐσμικρύνθημεν παρὰ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη καί ἐσμεν ταπεινοὶ ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ σήμερον διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν 38 καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ ἄρχων καὶ προφήτης καὶ ἡγούμενος οὐδὲ ὁλοκαύτωσις οὐδὲ θυσία οὐδὲ προσφορὰ οὐδὲ θυμίαμα οὐ τόπος τοῦ καρπῶσαι ἐναντίον σου καὶ εὑρεῖν ἔλεος 39 ἀλ{L'} ἐν ψυχῇ συντετριμμένῃ καὶ πνεύματι ταπεινώσεως προσδεχθείημεν ὡς ἐν ὁλοκαυτώμασιν κριῶν καὶ ταύρων καὶ ὡς ἐν μυριάσιν ἀρνῶν πιόνων 40 οὕτως γενέσθω θυσία ἡμῶν ἐνώπιόν σου σήμερον καὶ ἐκτελέσαι ὄπισθέν σου ὅτι οὐκ ἔσται αἰσχύνη τοῖς πεποιθόσιν ἐπὶ σοί 41 καὶ νῦν ἐξακολουθοῦμεν ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ καὶ φοβούμεθά σε καὶ ζητοῦμεν τὸ πρόσωπόν σου μὴ καταισχύνῃς ἡμᾶς 42 ἀλλὰ ποίησον με{Q'} ἡμῶν κατὰ τὴν ἐπιείκειάν σου καὶ κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τοῦ ἐλέους σου 43 καὶ ἐξελοῦ ἡμᾶς κατὰ τὰ θαυμάσιά σου καὶ δὸς δόξαν τῷ ὀνόματί σου κύριε 44 καὶ ἐντραπείησαν πάντες οἱ ἐνδεικνύμενοι τοῖς δούλοις σου κακὰ καὶ καταισχυνθείησαν ἀπὸ πάσης δυνάμεως καὶ δυναστείας καὶ ἡ ἰσχὺς αὐτῶν συντριβείη 45 γνώτωσαν ὅτι σὺ εἶ κύριος ὁ θεὸς μόνος καὶ ἔνδοξος ἐ{F'} ὅλην τὴν οἰκουμένην

34 For thy own honour, we entreat thee not to abandon us eternally. Do not annul thy covenant, and deprive us of thy mercy. 35 Think of Abraham that was thy friend, of thy servant Isaac, of Jacob whom thou didst set apart for thyself; 36 the men to whom thou didst promise that thou wouldst increase their posterity, till it was countless as the stars in heaven, or the sand by the sea-shore. 37 Whereas now, Lord, we are of all nations the most insignificant; all the world over, men see us humbled for our sins. 38 In these days we are without prince or leader or prophet, we have no burnt-sacrifice, no victim, no offering; for us no incense burns, no first-fruits can be brought into thy presence 39 and win thy favour. But oh, accept us still, hearts that are crushed, spirits bowed down by adversity; 40 look kindly on the sacrifice we offer thee this day, as it had been burnt-sacrifice of rams and bullocks, thousands of fattened lambs; who ever trusted in thee and was disappointed? 41 With all our hearts, now, we choose thy will, we reverence thee, we long after thy presence; 42 for that clemency, that abundant mercy of thine must we hope in vain? 43 By some wondrous deliverance vindicate thy own renown; 44 theirs be the vain hope, that would do thy servants an injury. Fools, that would match themselves with omnipotence! Crush down their might; 45 teach them that in all the world Lord there is none, God there is none, glorified as thou.

34
Ne, quæsumus, tradas nos in perpetuum propter nomen tuum,
et ne dissipes testamentum tuum: 35
neque auferas misericordiam tuam a nobis,
propter Abraham, dilectum tuum,
et Isaac, servum tuum,
et Israël, sanctum tuum, 36
quibus locutus es pollicens quod multiplicares semen eorum
sicut stellas cæli,
et sicut arenam quæ est in littore maris; 37
quia, Domine, imminuti sumus plus quam omnes gentes,
sumusque humiles in universa terra hodie
propter peccata nostra. 38
Et non est in tempore hoc princeps, et dux, et propheta,
neque holocaustum, neque sacrificium,
neque oblatio, neque incensum,
neque locus primitiarum coram te, 39
ut possimus invenire misericordiam tuam,
sed in animo contrito, et spiritu humilitatis suscipiamur. 40
Sicut in holocausto arietum, et taurorum,
et sicut in millibus agnorum pinguium,
sic fiat sacrificium nostrum in conspectu tuo hodie, ut placeat tibi,
quoniam non est confusio confidentibus in te. 41
Et nunc sequimur te in toto corde;
et timemus te, et quærimus faciem tuam. 42
Nec confundas nos,
sed fac nobiscum juxta mansuetudinem tuam,
et secundum multitudinem misericordiæ tuæ. 43
Et erue nos in mirabilibus tuis,
et da gloriam nomini tuo, Domine; 44
et confundantur omnes qui ostendunt servis tuis mala:
confundantur in omni potentia tua,
et robur eorum conteratur: 45
et sciant quia tu es Dominus Deus solus,
et gloriosus super orbem terrarum.

46 καὶ οὐ διέλειπον οἱ ἐμβαλόντες αὐτοὺς ὑπηρέται τοῦ βασιλέως καίοντες τὴν κάμινον νάφθαν καὶ πίσσαν καὶ στιππύον καὶ κληματίδα 47 καὶ διεχεῖτο ἡ φλὸξ ἐπάνω τῆς καμίνου ἐπὶ πήχεις τεσσαράκοντα ἐννέα 48 καὶ διώδευσεν καὶ ἐνεπύρισεν οὓς εὗρεν περὶ τὴν κάμινον τῶν Χαλδαίων 49 ὁ δὲ ἄγγελος κυρίου συγκατέβη ἅμα τοῖς περὶ τὸν Αζαριαν εἰς τὴν κάμινον καὶ ἐξετίναξεν τὴν φλόγα τοῦ πυρὸς ἐκ τῆς καμίνου 50 καὶ ἐποίησεν τὸ μέσον τῆς καμίνου ὡς πνεῦμα δρόσου διασυρίζον καὶ οὐχ ἥψατο αὐτῶν τὸ καθόλου τὸ πῦρ καὶ οὐκ ἐλύπησεν οὐδὲ παρηνώχλησεν αὐτοῖς 51 τότε οἱ τρεῖς ὡς ἐξ ἑνὸς στόματος ὕμνουν καὶ ἐδόξαζον καὶ εὐλόγουν τὸν θεὸν ἐν τῇ καμίνῳ λέγοντες 52 εὐλογητὸς εἶ κύριε ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν καὶ αἰνετὸς καὶ ὑπερυψούμενος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας καὶ εὐλογημένον τὸ ὄνομα τῆς δόξης σου τὸ ἅγιον καὶ ὑπεραινετὸν καὶ ὑπερυψούμενον εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 53 εὐλογημένος εἶ ἐν τῷ ναῷ τῆς ἁγίας δόξης σου καὶ ὑπερυμνητὸς καὶ ὑπερένδοξος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 54 εὐλογημένος εἶ ἐπὶ θρόνου τῆς βασιλείας σου καὶ ὑπερυμνητὸς καὶ ὑπερυψούμενος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 55 εὐλογημένος εἶ ὁ ἐπιβλέπων ἀβύσσους καθήμενος ἐπὶ χερουβιν καὶ αἰνετὸς καὶ ὑπερυψούμενος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 56 εὐλογημένος εἶ ἐν τῷ στερεώματι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ὑμνητὸς καὶ δεδοξασμένος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας

46 Meanwhile, their tormentors were not idle; naphtha and tow, pitch and tinder must be heaped on the furnace, 47 till the flame rose forty-nine cubits above the furnace itself, 48 breaking out and burning such Chaldaeans as stood near it. 49 But an angel of the Lord had gone down into the furnace with Azarias and his companions; and he drove the flames away from it, 50 making a wind blow in the heart of the furnace, like the wind that brings the dew. So that these three were untouched, and the fire brought them neither pain nor discomfort. 51 Whereupon all of them, as with one mouth, began to give praise and glory and blessing to God, there in the furnace, in these words that follow: 52 Blessed art thou, Lord God of our fathers, praised above all, renowned above all for ever; blessed is thy holy and glorious name, praised above all, renowned above all for ever. 53 Blessed art thou, whose glory fills thy holy temple, praised above all, renowned above all for ever; 54 blessed art thou, who reignest on thy kingly throne, praised above all, renowned above all for ever. 55 Blessed art thou, who art throned above the cherubim, and gazest down into the depths, praised above all, renowned above all for ever. 56 Blessed art thou, high in the vault of heaven, praised above all, renowned above all for ever.

46 Et non cessabant qui miserant eos ministri regis succendere fornacem, naphtha, et stuppa, et pice, et malleolis, 47 et effundebatur flamma super fornacem cubitis quadraginta novem: 48 et erupit, et incendit quos reperit juxta fornacem de Chaldæis. 49 Angelus autem Domini descendit cum Azaria, et sociis ejus in fornacem: et excussit flammam ignis de fornace, 50 et fecit medium fornacis quasi ventum roris flantem, et non tetigit eos omnino ignis, neque contristavit, nec quidquam molestiæ intulit. 51 Tunc hi tres quasi ex uno ore laudabant, et glorificabant, et benedicebant Deum in fornace, dicentes: 52

Benedictus es, Domine Deus patrum nostrorum:
et laudabilis, et gloriosus, et superexaltatus in sæcula.
Et benedictum nomen gloriæ tuæ sanctum:
et laudabile, et superexaltatum in omnibus sæculis. 53
Benedictus es in templo sancto gloriæ tuæ:
et superlaudabilis, et supergloriosus in sæcula. 54
Benedictus es in throno regni tui:
et superlaudabilis, et superexaltatus in sæcula. 55
Benedictus es, qui intueris abyssos, et sedes super cherubim:
et laudabilis, et superexaltatus in sæcula. 56
Benedictus es in firmamento cæli:
et laudabilis et gloriosus in sæcula.

57 εὐλογεῖτε πάντα τὰ ἔργα κυρίου τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 58 εὐλογεῖτε ἄγγελοι κυρίου τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 59 εὐλογεῖτε οὐρανοί τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 60 εὐλογεῖτε ὕδατα πάντα τὰ ἐπάνω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 61 εὐλογεῖτε πᾶσαι αἱ δυνάμεις τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 62 εὐλογεῖτε ἥλιος καὶ σελήνη τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 63 εὐλογεῖτε ἄστρα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 64 εὐλογεῖτε πᾶς ὄμβρος καὶ δρόσος τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 65 εὐλογεῖτε πάντα τὰ πνεύματα τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 66 εὐλογεῖτε πῦρ καὶ καῦμα τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 67 εὐλογεῖτε ψῦχος καὶ καύσων τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 68 εὐλογεῖτε δρόσοι καὶ νιφετοί τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 69 εὐλογεῖτε πάγος καὶ ψῦχος τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 70 εὐλογεῖτε πάχναι καὶ χιόνες τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 71 εὐλογεῖτε νύκτες καὶ ἡμέραι τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 72 εὐλογεῖτε φῶς καὶ σκότος τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 73 εὐλογεῖτε ἀστραπαὶ καὶ νεφέλαι τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 74 εὐλογείτω ἡ γῆ τὸν κύριον ὑμνείτω καὶ ὑπερυψούτω αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 75 εὐλογεῖτε ὄρη καὶ βουνοί τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 76 εὐλογεῖτε πάντα τὰ φυόμενα ἐν τῇ γῇ τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 77 εὐλογεῖτε αἱ πηγαί τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 78 εὐλογεῖτε θάλασσαι καὶ ποταμοί τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 79 εὐλογεῖτε κήτη καὶ πάντα τὰ κινούμενα ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 80 εὐλογεῖτε πάντα τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 81 εὐλογεῖτε πάντα τὰ θηρία καὶ τὰ κτήνη τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 82 εὐλογεῖτε οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 83 εὐλογεῖτε Ισραηλ τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 84 εὐλογεῖτε ἱερεῖς κυρίου τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 85 εὐλογεῖτε δοῦλοι κυρίου τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 86 εὐλογεῖτε πνεύματα καὶ ψυχαὶ δικαίων τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 87 εὐλογεῖτε ὅσιοι καὶ ταπεινοὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας 88 εὐλογεῖτε Ανανια Αζαρια Μισαηλ τὸν κύριον ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ὑπερυψοῦτε αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας ὅτι ἐξείλατο ἡμᾶς ἐξ ᾅδου καὶ ἐκ χειρὸς θανάτου ἔσωσεν ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς ἐκ μέσου καμίνου καιομένης φλογὸς καὶ ἐκ μέσου πυρὸς ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς 89 ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ κυρίῳ ὅτι χρηστός ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ 90 εὐλογεῖτε πάντες οἱ σεβόμενοι τὸν κύριον τὸν θεὸν τῶν θεῶν ὑμνεῖτε καὶ ἐξομολογεῖσθε ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ

57 Then they cried out upon all things the Lord had made, to bless him, and praise him, and extol his name for ever.[1] 58 Bless the Lord they should, the Lord’s angels; 59 bless him they should, the heavens, 60 and the waters above the heavens; 61 bless him they should, all the Lord’s powers. 62 Bless him they should, sun and moon, 63 stars of heaven, 64 each drop of rain and moisture, 65 and all the winds of God. 66 Bless him they should, fire and heat, 67 winter cold and summer drought, 68 dew and rime at morning, 69 frost and the cold air. 70 Bless him they should, ice and snow, 71 day-time and night-time, 72 light and darkness, 73 lightnings and storm-clouds. 74 And earth in its turn should bless the Lord, praise him, and extol his name for ever. 75 Bless the Lord they should, mountains and hills, 76 every growing thing that earth yields, 77 flowing fountains, 78 seas and rivers. 79 Bless him they should, sea-monsters and all life that is bred in the waters, 80 all the birds that fly in heaven, 81 wild beasts and tame, 82 and the sons of men. 83 Bless him Israel should, 84 priests of the Lord bless him, 85 servants of the Lord bless him; 86 bless him they should, spirits and souls of all faithful men; 87 bless him they should, dedicated and humble hearts. 88 And for Ananias, Azarias and Misael, well might they bless the Lord, praise him and extol his name for ever; here was the grave spoiled, death robbed of its prey, and ever they were kept safe from the furnace, let its flames rage as they would. 89 Give thanks to the Lord, they cried, the Lord is gracious; his mercy is eternal! 90 Bless the Lord, you that are his worshippers; he is God above all gods; praise him and give him thanks, whose mercy is eternal.[2]

57
Benedicite, omnia opera Domini, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 58
Benedicite, angeli Domini, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 59
Benedicite, cæli, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 60
Benedicite, aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 61
Benedicite, omnes virtutes Domini, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 62
Benedicite, sol et luna, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 63
Benedicite, stellæ cæli, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 64
Benedicite, omnis imber et ros, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 65
Benedicite, omnes spiritus Dei, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 66
Benedicite, ignis et æstus, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 67
Benedicite, frigus et æstus, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 68
Benedicite, rores et pruina, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 69
Benedicite, gelu et frigus, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 70
Benedicite, glacies et nives, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 71
Benedicite, noctes et dies, Domino
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 72
Benedicite, lux et tenebræ, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 73
Benedicite, fulgura et nubes, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 74
Benedicat terra Dominum:
laudet et superexaltet eum in sæcula. 75
Benedicite, montes et colles, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 76
Benedicite, universa germinantia in terra, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 77
Benedicite, fontes, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 78
Benedicite, maria et flumina, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 79
Benedicite, cete, et omnia quæ moventur in aquis, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 80
Benedicite, omnes volucres cæli, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 81
Benedicite, omnes bestiæ et pecora, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 82
Benedicite, filii hominum, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 83
Benedicat Israël Dominum:
laudet et superexaltet eum in sæcula. 84
Benedicite, sacerdotes Domini, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 85
Benedicite, servi Domini, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 86
Benedicite, spiritus et animæ justorum, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 87
Benedicite, sancti et humiles corde, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula. 88
Benedicite, Anania, Azaria, Misaël, Domino:
laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula:
quia eruit nos de inferno,
et salvos fecit de manu mortis:
et liberavit nos de medio ardentis flammæ,
et de medio ignis eruit nos. 89
Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus:
quoniam in sæculum misericordia ejus. 90
Benedicite, omnes religiosi, Domino Deo deorum:
laudate et confitemini ei, quia in omnia sæcula misericordia ejus.

91 καὶ Ναβουχοδονοσορ ἤκουσεν ὑμνούντων αὐτῶν καὶ ἐθαύμασεν καὶ ἐξανέστη ἐν σπουδῇ καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς μεγιστᾶσιν αὐτοῦ οὐχὶ ἄνδρας τρεῖς ἐβάλομεν εἰς μέσον τοῦ πυρὸς πεπεδημένους καὶ εἶπαν τῷ βασιλεῖ ἀληθῶς βασιλεῦ 92 καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ὁρῶ ἄνδρας τέσσαρας λελυμένους καὶ περιπατοῦντας ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ πυρός καὶ διαφθορὰ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἡ ὅρασις τοῦ τετάρτου ὁμοία υἱῷ θεοῦ 93 τότε προσῆλθεν Ναβουχοδονοσορ πρὸς τὴν θύραν τῆς καμίνου τοῦ πυρὸς τῆς καιομένης καὶ εἶπεν Σεδραχ Μισαχ Αβδεναγω οἱ δοῦλοι τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου ἐξέλθετε καὶ δεῦτε καὶ ἐξῆλθον Σεδραχ Μισαχ Αβδεναγω ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός 94 καὶ συνάγονται οἱ σατράπαι καὶ οἱ στρατηγοὶ καὶ οἱ τοπάρχαι καὶ οἱ δυνάσται τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἐθεώρουν τοὺς ἄνδρας ὅτι οὐκ ἐκυρίευσεν τὸ πῦρ τοῦ σώματος αὐτῶν καὶ ἡ θρὶξ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτῶν οὐκ ἐφλογίσθη καὶ τὰ σαράβαρα αὐτῶν οὐκ ἠλλοιώθη καὶ ὀσμὴ πυρὸς οὐκ ἦν ἐν αὐτοῖς 95 καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Ναβουχοδονοσορ καὶ εἶπεν εὐλογητὸς ὁ θεὸς τοῦ Σεδραχ Μισαχ Αβδεναγω ὃς ἀπέστειλεν τὸν ἄγγελον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξείλατο τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἐπεποίθεισαν ἐ{P'} αὐτῷ καὶ τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦ βασιλέως ἠλλοίωσαν καὶ παρέδωκαν τὰ σώματα αὐτῶν εἰς πῦρ ὅπως μὴ λατρεύσωσιν μηδὲ προσκυνήσωσιν παντὶ θεῷ ἀλ{L'} ἢ τῷ θεῷ αὐτῶν 96 καὶ ἐγὼ ἐκτίθεμαι δόγμα πᾶς λαός φυλή γλῶσσα ἣ ἂν εἴπῃ βλασφημίαν κατὰ τοῦ θεοῦ Σεδραχ Μισαχ Αβδεναγω εἰς ἀπώλειαν ἔσονται καὶ οἱ οἶκοι αὐτῶν εἰς διαρπαγήν καθότι οὐκ ἔστιν θεὸς ἕτερος ὅστις δυνήσεται ῥύσασθαι οὕτως 97 τότε ὁ βασιλεὺς κατεύθυνεν τὸν Σεδραχ Μισαχ Αβδεναγω ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ Βαβυλῶνος καὶ ἠξίωσεν αὐτοὺς ἡγεῖσθαι πάντων τῶν Ιουδαίων τῶν ὄντων ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ

91 Sore amazed was king Nabuchodonosor, and started to his feet; Tell me, he said to his courtiers, did we not cast three men into yonder furnace, all closely bound? And when they answered, Sire, past doubt, 92 he told them what he had seen; here were four men, that bonds wore none, walking to and fro in the heart of the fire, and never the worse. And such an aspect he wore, the fourth of them, as it had been a son of God. 93 With that, close went Nabuchodonosor to the furnace door, and cried, Come forth, Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago! Servants of the most high God, come out to me! So out came Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, from the fire’s heart all of them; 94 and with one accord governor and judge and courtier clustered round them to look. Plain it was, the heat had no power over them; never a hair singed, nor a coat shrivelled, nor any smell of burning marked its passage. 95 And at that, Nabuchodonosor could contain himself no longer; Blessed be this God whom Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago worship! Here were servants of his that trusted in him, and defied a king’s edict, ready to put their lives in peril, so they might be free men, worshipping no God but their own; and he has sent an angel to deliver them. 96 Hereby, then, I enact that if anyone blasphemes against the God of Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, come he of what people, what tribe, what race he may, he shall pay for it with his life, and his house be put to public use. God there is no other that can grant such deliverance as this! 97 And be sure he promoted them to high rank in Babylon province.

91 Tunc Nabuchodonosor rex obstupuit, et surrexit propere, et ait optimatibus suis: Nonne tres viros misimus in medium ignis compeditos? Qui respondentes regi, dixerunt: Vere, rex. 92 Respondit, et ait: Ecce ego video quatuor viros solutos, et ambulantes in medio ignis, et nihil corruptionis in eis est, et species quarti similis filio Dei. 93 Tunc accessit Nabuchodonosor ad ostium fornacis ignis ardentis, et ait: Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, servi Dei excelsi, egredimini, et venite. Statimque egressi sunt Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago de medio ignis. 94 Et congregati satrapæ, et magistratus, et judices, et potentes regis contemplabantur viros illos, quoniam nihil potestatis habuisset ignis in corporibus eorum, et capillus capitis eorum non esset adustus, et sarabala eorum non fuissent immutata, et odor ignis non transisset per eos. 95 Et erumpens Nabuchodonosor, ait: Benedictus Deus eorum, Sidrach videlicet, Misach, et Abdenago: qui misit angelum suum, et eruit servos suos, qui crediderunt in eum: et verbum regis immutaverunt, et tradiderunt corpora sua ne servirent, et ne adorarent omnem deum, excepto Deo suo. 96 A me ergo positum est hoc decretum: ut omnis populus, tribus, et lingua, quæcumque locuta fuerit blasphemiam contra Deum Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, dispereat, et domus ejus vastetur: neque enim est alius deus, qui possit ita salvare. 97 Tunc rex promovit Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago in provincia Babylonis.

98 Ναβουχοδονοσορ ὁ βασιλεὺς πᾶσι τοῖς λαοῖς φυλαῖς καὶ γλώσσαις τοῖς οἰκοῦσιν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ εἰρήνη ὑμῖν πληθυνθείη 99 τὰ σημεῖα καὶ τὰ τέρατα ἃ ἐποίησεν με{T'} ἐμοῦ ὁ θεὸς ὁ ὕψιστος ἤρεσεν ἐναντίον ἐμοῦ ἀναγγεῖλαι ὑμῖν 100 ὡς μεγάλα καὶ ἰσχυρά ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ βασιλεία αἰώνιος καὶ ἡ ἐξουσία αὐτοῦ εἰς γενεὰν καὶ γενεάν

98 King Nabuchodonosor to men of every race, tribe and tongue, dwell they where they will, all health! 99 Here be wondrous portents the most high God has been manifesting, and in my person. 100 And my will is to make them known, portents most weighty, wonders most compelling; such a reign as his lasts for ever, such power as his the ages cannot diminish.[3]

98 Nabuchodonosor rex, omnibus populis, gentibus, et linguis, qui habitant in universa terra, pax vobis multiplicetur. 99 Signa, et mirabilia fecit apud me Deus excelsus. Placuit ergo mihi prædicare 100 signa ejus, quia magna sunt: et mirabilia ejus, quia fortia: et regnum ejus regnum sempiternum, et potestas ejus in generationem et generationem.

[1] In the original, the words ‘praise him, and extol his name for ever’ are repeated some thirty times in verses 58-88. Here, as in the liturgy, the passage has been abridged.

[2] Verses 24-90 are found in the Septuagint Greek, but were unknown to the Aramaic text, it seems, even in the time of St Jerome.

[3] Verses 98-100 should (and in some Greek manuscripts do) form part of the next chapter.

Knox Translation Copyright © 2013 Westminster Diocese
Nihil Obstat. Father Anton Cowan, Censor.
Imprimatur. +Most Rev. Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. 8th January 2012.
Re-typeset and published in 2012 by Baronius Press Ltd