Shadrach

3And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

The king spoke to Ashpenaz, the leader of his palace helpers. He told him to bring in some young men from Israel. They were to come from the king's family and from other important families.

4Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

They had to be young men with healthy, strong bodies and pleasant faces. They had to be smart, full of knowledge, and quick to learn. They had to be ready to work in the king's palace. Then they would be taught the writing and language of the Chaldeans, the people of Babylon.

5And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

Every day the king sent them food and wine from his own table. They would be trained this way for three years. After that they would come and serve the king.

6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Four of these young men came from Judah. Their names were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

The leader of the palace helpers gave them new names. He called Daniel by the name Belteshazzar. He called Hananiah by the name Shadrach. He called Mishael by the name Meshach. He called Azariah by the name Abednego.

8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel decided in his heart not to eat the king's food or drink his wine. He believed it would make him unclean. So he asked the leader of the helpers to let him eat something else.

9Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

God had already made the leader of the helpers like Daniel and be kind to him.

10And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

But the leader said to Daniel, "I am afraid of the king, my master. He is the one who chose your food and drink. What if he sees you looking thinner than the other young men your age? Then the king could take my head off."

11Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

The leader had put a man named Melzar in charge of the four friends. So Daniel spoke to Melzar about Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Daniel said, "Please test us for ten days. Give us only plants to eat and water to drink."

13Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

"Then look at our faces. Look at the faces of the young men who eat the king's food. Compare us. Then do what you think is best with us."

14So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

Melzar agreed to do this. He tested them for ten days.

15And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.

After the ten days, the four looked healthier and stronger than all the others. The others had been eating the king's rich food.

16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

So Melzar took away their fancy food and their wine. He gave them plants to eat instead.

17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in every kind of learning. He made them wise. God also helped Daniel understand dreams and visions, which are pictures God shows a person.

18Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

The training time the king had set finally ended. Then the leader of the helpers brought the young men to Nebuchadnezzar.

19And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

The king talked with them. Out of all the young men, none were as good as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So these four stayed to serve the king.

20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

The king asked them hard questions about wise and difficult things. He found them ten times better than all the magicians and star-readers in his whole kingdom.

21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

Daniel stayed there many years. He was still there in the first year of King Cyrus.

13And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

So the order went out to kill the wise men. Men went to look for Daniel and his friends to kill them too.

14Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:

Arioch was the captain of the king's guard. He went out to kill the wise men of Babylon. Daniel spoke to him wisely and carefully.

15He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

Daniel asked Arioch, "Why did the king give such a harsh order?" Then Arioch explained the matter to Daniel.

16Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

So Daniel went in to the king. He asked the king to give him some time. Then he would tell the king what the dream meant.

17Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

Daniel went home. He told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened.

18That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

He asked them to beg the God of heaven to be kind. They were to pray about this hidden thing. Then Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the other wise men.

19Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

That night God showed Daniel the secret in a vision, like a picture in his mind. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.

20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

Daniel said, "Praise the name of God forever and ever. Wisdom and power belong to him."

21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

"He changes the times and the seasons. He takes kings away, and he puts new kings in their place. He gives wisdom to the wise. He gives knowledge to those who understand."

22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

"He shows things that are deep and hidden. He knows what is in the dark. Light lives with him."

23I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

"God of my fathers, I thank you and praise you. You gave me wisdom and power. You have told me what we asked you for. You have shown us what the king dreamed."

46Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar bowed with his face to the ground before Daniel. He gave orders that a gift and sweet-smelling smoke be offered to Daniel.

47The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

The king said to Daniel, "Your God is truly the God above all gods. He is the Lord over kings, and he tells secrets. You were able to tell me this secret."

48Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

Then the king gave Daniel a high place and many fine gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon. He put Daniel in charge of all the wise men there.

49Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

Daniel asked the king for one thing. The king put Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in charge of the work of the province. Daniel himself stayed at the king's court.

1Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar made a tall statue out of gold. It was about ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He set it up on the flat land of Dura, in Babylon.

2Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather all his leaders. He called rulers, army chiefs, judges, money keepers, advisers, lawmen, and every other leader. They were to come to the special day when the statue was shown to everyone.

3Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

So all those leaders came to that special day for the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They stood in front of it.

4Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

Then a herald, a man who shouted the king's messages, called out loudly. He said, "People from every nation, who speak every language, here is your order."

5That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

"When you hear the horns, flutes, harps, and all kinds of music, you must bow down. You must bow to the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up."

6And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

"Anyone who does not bow down and worship will be thrown into the burning furnace right away."

7Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

So when all the people heard the horns, flutes, harps, and all the music, they bowed. People from every nation and language bowed down to the gold statue the king had set up.

8Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

Just then some wise men of Babylon came forward. They told on the Jews and wanted them to get in trouble.

9They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.

They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, may you live forever!"

10Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

"O king, you made a rule. When people hear the horns, flutes, harps, and all the music, they must bow down to the gold statue."

11And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

"And anyone who does not bow down and worship must be thrown into the burning furnace."

12There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

"But some Jews you put in charge of Babylon have paid no attention to you, O king. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego do not serve your gods. They do not bow to the gold statue you set up."

13Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

Nebuchadnezzar was very angry. He ordered his men to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So they were brought to the king.

14Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is this true? Do you really refuse to serve my gods and bow to my gold statue?"

15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

"When you hear the horns, flutes, harps, and all the music, get ready to bow to my statue. If you do, that is fine. If you will not bow, you will be thrown into the burning furnace right away. What god could save you from me then?"

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you about this."

17If 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 thine hand, O king.

"If we are thrown in, the God we serve can save us from the burning furnace. He can take us out of your hand, O king."

18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

"But even if he does not, you should know this, O king. We will not serve your gods. We will not bow to your gold statue."

19Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of rage. His face turned hard toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered his men to make the furnace seven times hotter than usual.

20And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

He told the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up the three men. Then they were to throw them into the burning furnace.

21Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

So the men were tied up. They still wore their robes, pants, head coverings, and other clothes. Then they were thrown into the burning furnace.

22Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

The king's order was in a hurry, and the furnace was very hot. The flames killed the soldiers who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego up to it.

23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

And the three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell into the burning furnace. They were still tied up tight.

24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar was amazed. He jumped up and asked his advisers, "Didn't we throw three tied-up men into the fire?" They answered, "Yes, O king, we did."

25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire. They are not tied up, and they are not hurt. The fourth one looks like a son of the gods."

26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

Then Nebuchadnezzar came close to the door of the burning furnace. He called, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!" So the three men came out of the fire.

27And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

All the leaders and the king's advisers crowded around them and looked. The fire had not hurt their bodies at all. Not one hair was burned. Their clothes were fine, and they did not even smell like smoke.