
{1}1{/}

{I}1_{/}In the third year 
of Jehoiakim's reign as 
king of Judah, King 
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon 
besieged Jerusalem. 
{I}2_{/}The Lord 
delivered into his hands 
King Jehoiakim of Judah, 
and some of the vessels 
from the temple of God as 
well. These he carried 
off to the land of Shinar 
and placed in the 
treasure house of his 
god.
{I}3_{/}King 
Nebuchadnezzar ordered 
his chief eunuch Ashpenaz 
to bring in some of the 
Israelites from the royal 
family and the nobility: 
{I}4_{/}young men without 
physical defect, 
handsome, intelligent and 
wise, well-informed, 
quick to learn and 
understand, and suitable 
for service in the king's 
palace. They were to be 
taught the language and 
literature of the 
Chaldeans. {I}5_{/}They 
were allotted a daily 
portion of food and wine 
from the king's table and 
were to be trained for 
three years, after which 
they were to enter the 
king's service.
{I}6_{/}Among these were 
young men of Judah: 
Daniel, Hananiah, 
Mishael, and Azariah, 
{I}7_{/}whose names the 
chief eunuch changed - 
Daniel to Belteshazzar, 
Hananiah to Shadrach, 
Mishael to Meshach, and 
Azariah to Abednego.
DANIEL REFUSES TO EAT 
UNCLEAN FOOD{/}

{I}8_{/}As Daniel was 
resolved not to make 
himself unclean with the 
king's food or wine, he 
begged the chief eunuch 
to spare him this 
defilement. {I}9_{/}By 
the grace of God, the 
chief eunuch had been 
sympathetic to Daniel, 
{I}10_{/}but he was 
afraid of the king, and 
so he said, "If the king, 
who has allotted your 
food and drink, sees that 
you look more emaciated 
than the other young men 
of your age, he might 
think ill of me. It will 
put my life in danger to 
give in to your wish."
{I}11_{/}Daniel then 
turned to the steward 
whom the chief eunuch had 
put in charge of Daniel, 
Hananiah, Mishael, and 
Azariah. {I}12_{/}"Please 
test your servants for 
ten days. Give us only 
vegetables to eat and 
water to drink, 
{I}13_{/}and see how we 
look in comparison with 
the young men who eat 
food from the king's 
table. Then treat us in 
accordance with what you 
see."
{I}14_{/}The steward 
agreed and tested them 
for ten days, {I}15_{/}at 
the end of which they 
looked healthier and 
better fed than any of 
the young men who ate the 
king's food. {I}16_{/}So 
the steward continued to 
give them vegetables 
instead of the choice 
food and wine.
{I}17_{/}To these four 
youths God gave wisdom 
and proficiency in 
literature, and to Daniel 
the gift of interpreting 
visions and dreams.
{I}18_{/}At the end of 
the period set by the 
king for the youths' 
training, the chief 
eunuch presented them to 
Nebuchadnezzar. 
{I}19_{/}The king talked 
with them and found none 
to equal Daniel, 
Hananiah, Mishael, and 
Azariah. These four 
became members of the 
king's court. {I}20_{/}In 
any matter of wisdom and 
discernment about which 
the king consulted, he 
found them ten times 
better than all the 
magicians and enchanters 
in his whole kingdom. 
{I}21_{/}Daniel remained 
there until the first 
year of King Cyrus.
NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM{/}

{1}2{/}

{I}1_{/}In the second 
year of Nebuchadnezzar's 
reign, he had a series of 
troubling dreams which 
rendered him sleepless. 
{I}2_{/}The king summoned 
magicians, enchanters, 
sorcerers and Chaldean 
diviners to interpret his 
dreams. When they arrived 
and stood in his 
presence, {I}3_{/}the 
king said, "I had a 
terrible dream and I want 
to know its meaning."
{I}4_{/}The Chaldeans 
answered in Aramaic, 
"Live forever, O King! 
Tell your servants the 
dream, and we will give 
you its meaning."
{I}5_{/}But the king 
replied, "You have to 
tell me the dream and 
interpret it, too. That 
is my decision. If you 
won't do it, I will have 
you cut into pieces and 
your houses razed to the 
ground. {I}6_{/}But if 
you can tell me the dream 
and its meaning, I will 
give you presents and 
reward you with great 
honor."
{I}7_{/}They insisted, 
"Let the king tell us his 
dream and we will explain 
what it means."
{I}8_{/}The king said, 
"You are only trying to 
gain time, for you know 
what I will surely do, 
{I}9_{/}that if you do 
not tell me my dream 
there is only one 
sentence for you. You 
have conspired to mislead 
me with a deceitful 
interpretation, hoping 
that times will change. 
But if you can show me 
that you have the ability 
to know what my dream 
was, I can be sure that 
you also have the power 
to understand its 
meaning."
{I}10_{/}The Chaldeans 
exclaimed, "No man on 
earth can do what your 
majesty asks. Never has 
any king, however great 
and mighty, asked such a 
thing of any magician, 
enchanter or diviner. 
{I}11_{/}What the king 
demands is too difficult. 
No one can tell him that 
except the gods who do 
not live among men."
{I}12_{/}This made the 
king so furious that he 
ordered all the wise men 
of Babylon executed. 
{I}13_{/}Upon issuance of 
the decree to put the 
wise men to death, a 
search was also made for 
Daniel and his companions 
to have them killed. 
{I}14_{/}Daniel, however, 
talked prudently with 
Arioch, the commander of 
the king's guards who had 
gone out to kill the wise 
men. {I}15_{/}"Why did 
the king issue such a 
harsh decree?" Daniel 
asked, and Arioch 
explained. 
{I}16_{/}Daniel then went 
to the king and asked for 
the suspension of the 
execution to give him 
time to interpret the 
dream.
{I}17_{/}Daniel returned 
home and informed his 
companions Hananiah, 
Mishael, and Azariah. 
{I}18_{/}He asked them to 
implore God's mercy 
regarding this mystery, 
so that they would not 
perish with the rest of 
Babylon's wise men. 
{I}19_{/}Then in a night 
vision, the mystery was 
revealed to Daniel. He 
blessed the God of 
heaven:
{I}20_{/}Blessed be God's 
name forever and ever,
for his are wisdom and 
power.
{I}21_{/}He changes times 
and seasons;
he sets up and deposes 
kings.
He gives wisdom to the 
wise
and knowledge to the 
discerning.
{I}22_{/}He reveals 
things deep and hidden;
he knows what lies in 
darkness;
for the light dwells with 
him.
{I}23_{/}I give thanks 
and praise to you, O God 
of my fathers.
You have given me wisdom 
and power;
you have shown me what we 
asked for -
you have made known to us 
the dream of the king.
{I}24_{/}After this 
Daniel went to Arioch, 
the commander appointed 
by the king to execute 
the wise men of Babylon. 
Daniel said to him, "Do 
not execute the wise men 
yet. Bring me to the 
king, and I will 
interpret his dreams." 
{I}25_{/}At once Arioch 
took Daniel to the king 
and said, "Here is a man 
found among the Judean 
captives who says he can 
interpret the king's 
dream."
{I}26_{/}The king asked 
Daniel, who had been 
named Beltheshazzar, "Can 
you tell me what my dream 
was and what it means?"
DANIEL INTERPRETS THE 
DREAM{/}

{I}27_{/}Daniel answered, 
"No wise man, enchanter, 
magician or diviner can 
interpret the king's 
dream. {I}28_{/}But there 
is a God in heaven who 
reveals mysteries, and he 
has shown King 
Nebuchadnezzar what will 
happen in the future. I 
will tell you the dream 
and visions you had.
{I}29_{/}As you lay in 
bed, O King, your 
thoughts turned to the 
future, and he who 
reveals mysteries showed 
you what is to happen. 
{I}30_{/}This mystery has 
been revealed to me not 
because I am wiser than 
anybody else but so that 
you may know what it 
means and what went on in 
your mind.
{I}31_{/}In your vision 
you saw a statue - very 
large, very bright, 
terrible to look at. 
{I}32_{/}Its head was of 
pure gold, its chest and 
arms of silver, its belly 
and thighs of bronze, 
{I}33_{/}its legs of 
iron, its feet partly of 
iron and partly of baked 
clay. {I}34_{/}As you 
watched, a rock cut from 
a mountain but not by 
human hands, struck the 
statue on its feet of 
iron and clay, smashing 
them. {I}35_{/}All at 
once the iron, clay, 
bronze, silver and gold 
crumbled into pieces as 
fine as chaff on the 
threshing floor in 
summer. The wind swept 
them off and not a trace 
was left. But the rock 
that struck the statue 
became a great mountain 
that filled the whole 
earth.
{I}36_{/}That was the 
dream. Now the 
interpretation. 
{I}37_{/}You, O king, are 
king of kings, to whom 
the God of heaven has 
given dominion, strength, 
power and glory, 
{I}38_{/}and into whose 
hand he has placed 
mankind, the beasts of 
the field and the birds 
of the air, making you 
ruler over them. You are 
that head of gold.
{I}39_{/}After you, 
another kingdom inferior 
to yours will rise. Then 
a third kingdom of bronze 
will rule the whole 
world. {I}40_{/}Last 
shall be a fourth kingdom 
strong as iron and just 
as iron breaks and 
crushes everything else, 
so will it break and 
smash all the others. 
{I}41_{/}The partly-clay 
and partly-iron feet and 
toes mean that it will be 
a divided kingdom; yet it 
will have some of the 
strength of iron, just as 
you saw iron mixed with 
clay. {I}42_{/}And as the 
toes were partly iron and 
partly clay, the kingdom 
will be partly strong and 
partly weak. 
{I}43_{/}Just as you saw 
the iron mixed with baked 
clay, the people will be 
a mixture but will not 
remain united, any more 
than iron mixes with 
clay.
{I}44_{/}In the time of 
those kings the God of 
heaven will set up a 
kingdom never to be 
destroyed or delivered up 
to another people. It 
will crush all those 
kingdoms and put an end 
to them. And it will 
endure forever. 
{I}45_{/}This is the 
meaning of your vision of 
a rock cut from a 
mountain not by human 
hands, the rock which 
struck the statue and 
broke into pieces the 
iron, bronze, clay, 
silver and gold. The 
great God has shown the 
king what will happen in 
the future. The dream is 
true and its 
interpretation reliable."
{I}46_{/}King 
Nebuchadnezzar fell 
prostrate before Daniel 
and ordered that oblation 
and incense be offered to 
him. {I}47_{/}The king 
said to Daniel, "Surely 
your God is the God of 
gods, the Lord of kings 
and the revealer of 
mysteries. That is why 
you were able to reveal 
this mystery."
{I}48_{/}The king gave 
Daniel a high position 
and showered gifts on 
him. He made him governor 
of the entire province of 
Babylon and in charge of 
all its wise men. 
{I}49_{/}At Daniel's 
request the king 
appointed Shadrach, 
Meshach and Abednego 
administrators of the 
province of Babylon, 
while Daniel himself 
remained at the king's 
court.
THE GOLDEN STATUE{/}

{1}3{/}

{I}1_{/}King 
Nebuchadnezzar had a 
golden statue, sixty 
cubits high and six 
cubits wide, erected on 
the plain of Dura in the 
province of Babylon. 
{I}2_{/}Then he summoned 
the satraps, prefects, 
governors,  counselors, 
treasurers, judges, 
magistrates and all the 
other provincial 
officials to come for the 
dedication of the statue. 
{I}3_{/}All those 
summoned came together 
for the dedication and 
stood before the statue 
set up by King 
Nebuchadnezzar. 
{I}4_{/}There a herald 
proclaimed aloud, 
"Nations and peoples of 
every language, you are 
hereby commanded 
{I}5_{/}to fall down and 
worship the golden statue 
as soon as you hear the 
music played on the horn, 
flute, zither, lyre, 
harp, pipes and all other 
instruments. 
{I}6_{/}Whoever fails to 
do this will at once be 
thrown into a burning 
furnace." {I}7_{/}At this 
command, all the people 
of every nation and 
language who heard the 
sound of music on the 
horn, flute, zither, 
lyre, harp, pipes and 
other instruments fell 
down and worshiped the 
statue set up by King 
Nebuchadnezzar.
THE JEWS: ACCUSED AND 
CONDEMNED{/}

{I}8_{/}It was then that 
Chaldean diviners came to 
the king accusing the 
Jews. {I}9_{/}They said 
to King Nebuchadnezzar, 
"Live forever, O king! 
{I}10_{/}You issued a 
decree that upon hearing 
the sound of the horn, 
flute, zither, lyre, 
harp, pipes and other 
musical instruments, 
everyone must fall down 
and worship the golden 
statue, {I}11_{/}and 
whoever failed to do so 
was to be thrown into a 
burning furnace. 
{I}12_{/}There are some 
Jews, those whom you 
appointed administrators 
of Babylon: Shadrach, 
Meshach and Abednego, who 
gave no heed to your 
order. They would not 
serve your gods or 
worship the golden image 
you set up."
{I}13_{/}Nebuchadnezzar 
flew into a rage and 
summoned Shadrach, 
Meshach and Abednego, who 
were immediately brought 
before the king. 
{I}14_{/}King 
Nebuchadnezzar questioned 
them, "Is it true, 
Shadrach, Meshach and 
Abednego, that you do not 
serve my gods or worship 
the golden statue I have 
set up? {I}15_{/}If you 
hear now the sound of 
horn, flute, zither, 
lyre, harp, pipes and 
other instruments, will 
you fall down and worship 
the statue I made? If you 
won't, you know the 
punishment: you will 
immediately be thrown 
into a burning furnace. 
And then what god can 
deliver you out of my 
hands?"
{I}16_{/}Shadrach, 
Meshach and Abednego 
answered, "King 
Nebuchadnezzar, we need 
not defend ourselves 
before you on this 
matter. {I}17_{/}If you 
order us to be thrown 
into the furnace, the God 
we serve will rescue us. 
{I}18_{/}But even if he 
won't, we would like you 
to know, O king, that we 
are not going to serve 
your gods or worship the 
golden statue you have 
set up."
{I}19_{/}Nebuchadnezzar's 
face reddened with fury 
as he looked at Shadrach, 
Meshach and Abednego. He 
ordered the furnace 
heated seven times hotter 
than usual {I}20_{/}and 
commanded some of his 
strongest soldiers to 
bind Shadrach, Meshach 
and Abednego and throw 
them into the burning 
furnace. {I}21_{/}At once 
they were bound and 
thrown into the furnace, 
with their hats, shoes 
and garments on, 
{I}22_{/}for the king's 
order was very urgent. So 
fierce was the fire in 
the furnace that it 
devoured even the men who 
threw Shadrach, Meshach 
and Abednego into it. 
{I}23_{/}The three, bound 
fast, fell into the midst 
of the blazing furnace.
{I}24_{/}They walked in 
the midst of the flames, 
singing to God and 
praising the Lord. 
{I}25_{/}Azariah stood up 
in the midst of the fire 
and prayed aloud:
{I}26_{/}Blessed and 
worthy of praise are you,
O Lord God of our 
fathers!
your name is glorious 
forever!
{I}27_{/}Justice is in 
all that you do;
your acts are faultless, 
your ways are right,
your judgments always 
true.
{I}28_{/}You have indeed 
given a just sentence in 
bringing evil upon us and 
upon Jerusalem, the Holy 
City of our fathers. You 
have acted in accordance 
with truth and justice, 
as punishment for our 
sins.
{I}29_{/}For we have 
sinned and acted 
perversely by deserting 
you. We have sinned 
gravely in everything and 
have not listened to your 
commandments. {I}30_{/}We 
have not observed them, 
and we have not fulfilled 
everything you commanded 
us for our good.
{I}31_{/}All the evils 
you have brought upon us, 
all that you have done to 
us, you have done 
according to your just 
sentence.
{I}32_{/}You have given 
us into the hands of our 
enemies, lawless people, 
the worst of the impious, 
into the hands of an 
unjust king, the most 
perverse in all the 
world.
{I}33_{/}And today, we 
cannot even open our 
mouths; shame and 
humiliation have overcome 
those who serve and 
worship you.
{I}34_{/}Do not abandon 
us forever, do not reject 
your covenant for your 
Name's sake.
{I}35_{/}Do not withdraw 
your mercy from us, for 
the sake of Abraham, your 
friend, of Isaac, your 
servant, of Israel, your 
holy one, {I}36_{/}to 
whom you promised to 
multiply their race as 
the stars of heaven and 
the sand on the shore of 
the sea.
{I}37_{/}Lord, see, we 
have become the least 
among the nations in all 
the world, and we are 
humiliated because of our 
sins.
{I}38_{/}At this time, we 
no longer have a king, or 
prophet, or leader. We 
cannot offer you 
holocausts, sacrifices, 
offerings, or incense. We 
have no place to present 
to you the first-fruits 
of our crops, and so 
obtain your favor.
{I}39_{/}But at least 
when we present ourselves 
with a contrite soul and 
humbled spirit may we 
then be acceptable to 
you, {I}40_{/}more than 
by offerings of rams and 
calves as holocausts, and 
of thousands of fat 
lambs.
May this sacrifice of 
ours today obtain for us 
your favor for we know 
that those who trust in 
you shall never be 
disappointed.
{I}41_{/}And now, we 
serve you with our whole 
heart, we fear you and we 
seek your face. 
{I}42_{/}Do not leave us 
in our humiliation, but 
treat us according to 
your kindness and your 
great mercy. 
{I}43_{/}Free us in 
keeping with your 
wonders, and give us the 
glory of your Name, Lord.
{I}44_{/}Let those who 
maltreat your servants be 
confounded, may they be 
covered with shame and 
deprived of all their 
power. Crush their 
strength, {I}45_{/}and 
let them know that you 
alone are God and Lord, 
glorious over all the 
earth."
{I}46_{/}The king's 
servants who had thrown 
them into the furnace did 
not stop kindling the 
fire with oil, tar, tow 
and vine shoots, 
{I}47_{/}so that the 
flames rose up to about 
twenty-five meters above 
the furnace {I}48_{/}and 
extending out, burnt the 
Chaldeans who were 
standing around.
{I}49_{/}But the angel of 
the Lord came down into 
the furnace beside 
Azariah and his 
companions; he drove the 
flames of the fire 
outside the furnace, and 
blew upon them, 
{I}50_{/}in the middle of 
the furnace, a coolness 
like that of wind and 
dew, so that the fire did 
not touch them or cause 
them pain or trouble 
them.
{I}51_{/}Then the three 
began singing together, 
glorifying and blessing 
God within the furnace, 
and saying;
{I}52_{/}"Blessed are 
you, Lord, God of our 
fathers, be praised and 
exalted for ever.
Blessed is your holy and 
glorious name, celebrated 
and exalted for ever.
{I}53_{/}Blessed are you 
in the temple of your 
sacred glory, your 
praises are sung for 
ever.
{I}54_{/}Blessed are you 
on the throne of your 
kingdom, honored and 
glorified for ever.
{I}55{/}Blessed are you 
who fathom the depths, 
who are enthroned on the 
cherubim, praised and 
exalted for ever.
{I}56_{/}Blessed are you 
in the firmament of 
heaven, praised and 
glorified for ever.
{I}57_{/}All the works of 
the Lord, bless him, 
praise him, exalt him for 
ever.
{I}58_{/}Angels of the 
Lord, bless him, praise 
and glorify him for ever.
{I}59_{/}Heavens, bless 
the Lord, praise and 
exalt him for ever.
{I}60_{/}All the waters 
above the heavens, bless 
the Lord, praise and 
exalt him for ever.
{I}61_{/}All the powers 
of the Lord, bless the 
Lord, praise and exalt 
him for ever.
{I}62_{/}Sun and moon, 
praise and exalt him for 
ever. {I}63_{/}Stars of 
heaven, praise and exalt 
him for ever.
{I}64_{/}Rain and dew, 
praise and exalt him for 
ever. {I}65_{/}All winds, 
praise and exalt him for 
ever.
{I}66_{/}Fire and heat, 
praise and exalt him for 
ever. {I}67_{/}Cold and 
heat, praise and exalt 
him for ever.
{I}68_{/}Dew and frost, 
praise and exalt him for 
ever. {I}69_{/}Ice and 
cold, praise and exalt 
him for ever.
{I}70_{/}Frost and snow, 
praise and exalt him for 
ever. {I}71_{/}Days and 
nights, praise and exalt 
him for ever.
{I}72_{/}Light and 
darkness, praise and 
exalt him for ever. 
{I}73_{/}Lightnings and 
clouds, praise and exalt 
him for ever.
{I}74_{/}Earth, praise 
and exalt him for ever.
{I}75_{/}Mountains and 
hills, praise and exalt 
him for ever.
{I}76_{/}Everything that 
sprouts on the earth, 
praise and exalt him for 
ever.
{I}77_{/}Springs of 
water, praise and exalt 
him for ever. 
{I}78_{/}Seas and rivers, 
praise and exalt him for 
ever.
{I}79_{/}Whales and 
fishes, praise and exalt 
him for ever. 
{I}80_{/}All the birds of 
heaven, praise and exalt 
him for ever. 
{I}81_{/}Animals wild and 
tame, praise and exalt 
him for ever.
{I}82_{/}Sons of men, 
praise and exalt him for 
ever.
{I}83_{/}Israel, praise 
and exalt him for ever.
{I}84_{/}Priests of the 
Lord, praise and exalt 
him for ever. 
{I}85_{/}Servants of the 
Lord, praise and exalt 
him for ever.
{I}86_{/}Spirits and 
souls of the just, praise 
and exalt him for ever.
{I}87_{/}Holy men and 
humble of heart, praise 
and exalt him for ever. 
{I}88_{/}Ananiah, 
Azariah, Mishael, bless 
the Lord, praise and 
exalt him for ever.
For he has taken us out 
from the netherworld, he 
has saved us from the 
hands of death, freed us 
from the furnace of 
burning flames and 
rescued us from the midst 
of the fire.
{I}89_{/}Give thanks to 
the Lord, for he is good, 
for his mercy is 
everlasting.
{I}90_{/}All who worship 
the Lord, bless the God 
of gods, praise and 
acknowledge him for his 
mercy is everlasting." 
{I}91_{/}Then King 
Nebuchadnezzar suddenly 
rose up in great 
amazement and asked his 
counselors, "Did we not 
throw three men bound 
into the fire?" They 
answered, "Certainly." 
{I}92_{/}The king said, 
"But I can see four men 
walking about freely 
through the fire without 
suffering any harm, and 
the fourth looks like a 
son of the gods."
{I}93_{/}Nebuchadnezzar 
approached the mouth of 
the blazing furnace and 
said, "Shadrach, Meshach 
and Abednego, servants of 
the Most High God, come 
out and come here." So 
they came out from the 
midst of the fire.
{I}94_{/}The officials, 
prefects, governors and 
counselors of the king 
drew near to examine 
them: the fire had no 
effect on their bodies, 
their hair was not 
singed, their trousers 
were not burned, and they 
did not even have the 
smell of smoke.
{I}95_{/}Nebuchadnezzar 
exclaimed, "Blessed be 
the God of Shadrach, 
Meshach and Abednego who 
sent his angel to free 
his servants who, 
trusting in him, 
disobeyed the king's 
order and preferred to 
give their bodies to the 
fire rather than serve 
and worship any other god 
but their God.
{I}96_{/}I give this 
command, therefore: From 
every race, nation and 
language, anyone who 
speaks irreverently of 
the God of Shadrach, 
Meshach and Abednego 
shall be cut into pieces 
and his house shall be 
destroyed, for there is 
no other god who can save 
like this."
{I}97_{/}And the king 
promoted Shadrach, 
Meshach and Abednego in 
the province of Babylon.
NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM 
AND INSANITY{/}

{I}98_{/}Nebuchadnezzar, 
the king, to all peoples, 
all nations and to all 
men on the earth whatever 
be their language: Peace. 
{I}99_{/}It pleases me to 
make known to you the 
signs and wonders the 
Most High God has done in 
me.
{I}100_{/}How great are 
his signs,
how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an 
everlasting kingdom,
his dominion lasts for 
all generations.
{1}4{/}

{I}1_{/}I, 
Nebuchadnezzar, was at 
peace in  my house and 
content in my palace when 
I had a dream which 
appalled me. {I}2_{/}The 
nightmares I had as I lay 
in bed, and the visions 
that passed through my 
mind tormented me. 
{I}3_{/}So I summoned all 
the wise men of Babylon 
that they might explain 
to me what the dream 
meant.
{I}4_{/}The wise men, 
seers and astrologers 
came, and I recounted the 
dream to them, but they 
could not explain it to 
me. {I}5_{/}So Daniel 
came in before me - he 
was renamed Belteshazzar 
after the name of my god, 
for in him dwells the 
spirit of the Holy God. I 
told him my dream in this 
way: 
{I}6_{/}Belteshazzar, 
chief of the wise men, I 
know that you have the 
spirit of the Holy God 
and that no mystery is 
ever difficult for you. 
Examine the dream I have 
had and explain it to me.
{I}7_{/}These were my 
dreams as I lay in bed. 
There was a tree at the 
center of the world; it 
was very tall.
{I}8_{/}The tree grew, it 
became big and reached up 
to heaven, and its 
branches could be seen 
from the ends of the 
earth.
{I}9_{/}Its leaves were 
beautiful, its fruits 
abundant; there was food 
for all in it. Animals of 
the field found refuge in 
its shade, the birds of 
heaven nested in its 
branches and all living 
things fed on it.
{I}10_{/}I was looking at 
this interior vision when 
a watchful one, a holy 
one, came down from 
heaven.
{I}11_{/}He cried in a 
loud voice: Cut the tree 
down, cut off its 
branches, strip off its 
leaves and throw away its 
fruits. Let the beasts 
flee from under it and 
the birds as well. 
{I}12_{/}But leave in the 
earth the stump and the 
roots bound with iron and 
bronze bands, in the 
grass of the field.
Let him be drenched with 
the dew of heaven, let 
him share the grass of 
the earth with the 
animals. {I}13_{/}Let his 
heart cease from being 
human, and let a beast's 
heart be given him and 
pass over him seven 
times.
{I}14_{/}This is the 
sentence given by the 
watchful ones, the 
question settled by the 
holy ones, so that every 
living thing may know 
that the Most High is 
higher than any human 
authority. He confers 
power on whom he pleases 
and raises the most 
humble of men.
{I}15_{/}This was the 
dream I had, I, King 
Nebuchadnezzar. You, 
Belteshazzar, explain it 
to me, since not one of 
the wise men in my 
kingdom has been able to 
interpret it for me. But 
you can, for the spirit 
of the Holy God dwells in 
you.
{I}16_{/}Then Daniel, 
renamed Belteshazzar, was 
stunned for a while and 
looked very much upset. 
The king said, 
"Belteshazzar, what is in 
that dream or in its 
interpretation that 
upsets you so?" 
Belteshazzar answered, 
{I}17_{/}"My lord, may 
this dream be meant for 
your enemies and its 
content refer to your 
foes!"
{I}18_{/}The tree you 
saw, which grew big and 
strong, and reached to 
heaven and was visible 
through all the earth, 
with beautiful leaves and 
abundant fruit, which had 
food for all, under which 
animals of the field 
found refuge and in whose 
branches the birds of 
heaven built their nests 
- {I}19_{/}this tree is 
you, O King, whose power 
has increased reaching up 
to heaven, whose empire 
extends to the ends of 
the earth.
{I}20_{/}Now, regarding 
what the king has seen: a 
watchful one, a holy one, 
who came down from heaven 
and said: Cut the tree 
down, destroy it, but 
leave the stump and the 
roots in the ground with 
bands of iron and bronze, 
in the grass of the 
field; let him be 
drenched with the dew of 
heaven, and share the lot 
of the animals of the 
field until they have 
passed over him seven 
times. {I}21_{/}Now I 
shall explain it to you:
This is the decree of the 
Most High regarding the 
king, my lord. 
{I}22_{/}You shall be 
driven out from among men 
and live with the beasts 
of the field. You shall 
eat grass like the oxen, 
and be drenched by the 
dew of heaven. Seven 
times shall pass over you 
until you acknowledge 
that the Most High is 
higher than any human 
authority, and that he 
gives the power to whom 
he pleases.
{I}23_{/}The order to 
leave the stump and the 
roots means that you 
shall recover your 
kingdom when you have 
acknowledged that all 
power comes from heaven. 
{I}24_{/}May it then 
please the king to accept 
my advice: wipe out your 
sins with works of 
justice, and your 
iniquities by showing 
mercy to the poor; then 
perhaps you may lengthen 
your prosperity."
{I}25_{/}All this 
happened to King 
Nebuchadnezzar. 
{I}26_{/}Twelve months 
later, while walking on 
the roof of the royal 
palace in Babylon, 
{I}27_{/}the king said, 
"Is this not the great 
Babylon I built with the 
strength of my own power 
as my royal residence, 
and for the glory of my 
majesty?"
{I}28_{/}These words were 
still in the mouth of the 
king when a voice came 
down from heaven:
"King Nebuchadnezzar, I 
speak to you: your empire 
is finished.
{I}29_{/}You shall be 
driven from among men, 
and live with the animals 
of the field; you shall 
eat grass like oxen and 
seven times shall pass 
over you until you 
acknowledge that the Most 
High disposes of the 
power among men and gives 
it to whom he pleases."
{I}30_{/}These words were 
fulfilled at once. 
Nebuchadnezzar was driven 
from among men, he fed on 
grass like oxen, his body 
was drenched with the dew 
of heaven, until his hair 
grew like the feathers of 
an eagle and his nails 
like the claws of a bird.
{I}31_{/}At the end of 
this time, I, 
Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up 
my eyes to heaven and my 
reason returned to me; so 
I blessed the Most High:
Blessed and glorified is 
he who lives for ever, 
whose dominion is 
everlasting and whose 
kingdom lasts through all 
generations.
{I}32_{/}All the 
inhabitants of the earth 
are before him as if they 
were nothing. He does as 
he pleases with the army 
of heaven and the 
inhabitants of the earth. 
No one can stop his hand 
or ask him to render an 
account.
{I}33_{/}At that moment, 
I regained my reason, I 
recovered my throne and 
again began to govern, 
for the glory of my 
kingdom. My counselors 
and my noblemen acclaimed 
me, they restored me to 
my throne and I was given 
still greater power.
{I}34_{/}So now, I, 
Nebuchadnezzar, praise, 
exalt and glorify the 
King of Heaven. For all 
his works are true, and 
his ways are all just; he 
knows how to humble those 
who walk in pride.
THE BANQUET OF 
BELSHAZZAR{/}

{1}5{/}

{I}1_{/}King Belshazzar 
gave a  great banquet for 
his nobles, a thousand of 
them attended and he 
drank wine with them. 
{I}2_{/}Under the 
influence of wine, he 
ordered that the gold and 
silver vessels his father 
Nebuchadnezzar had taken 
from the temple in 
Jerusalem be brought in 
so that he and his 
nobles, his wives and 
concubines might drink 
from them. {I}3_{/}The 
gold and silver vessels 
taken from God's temple 
were brought in, and the 
king and his nobles, his 
wives and concubines 
drank from them. 
{I}4_{/}While they drank 
wine, they praised the 
gods of gold and silver, 
of bronze and iron, of 
wood and stone.
{I}5_{/}Suddenly a man's 
fingers appeared opposite 
the lampstand and wrote 
on the plastered wall of 
the king's palace. 
Watching the hand as it 
wrote, the king turned 
pale. {I}6_{/}So 
terrified was he that his 
knees knocked and his 
legs gave way.
{I}7_{/}He shouted, 
calling for his 
enchanters and Chaldean 
diviners. "Whoever reads 
this writing and tells me 
its meaning," said he to 
the wise men of Babylon, 
"will be clothed in 
purple, wear a gold chain 
around his neck, and be 
made the third highest 
ruler in my kingdom."
{I}8_{/}All the king's 
wise men came, but none 
could read the writing or 
tell its meaning. 
{I}9_{/}King Belshazzar 
became very frightened 
and his face grew even 
more pale. His nobles 
were likewise terrified 
and confused.
{I}10_{/}Hearing the 
troubled voices of the 
king and his nobles, the 
queen entered the banquet 
hall and said, "Live 
forever, O king! Do not 
be alarmed and become 
pale. {I}11_{/}In your 
kingdom is a man who has 
the spirit of the holy 
gods. He was found to 
have discernment and god-
like wisdom during your 
father's lifetime. He was 
in fact appointed chief 
of the magicians, 
enchanters and diviners 
by your father King 
Nebuchadnezzar. 
{I}12_{/}This man Daniel, 
whom the king called 
Beltheshazzar, knew how 
to interpret dreams, 
explain riddles and solve 
difficult problems. Call 
for Daniel and he will 
tell you what the writing 
means."
{I}13_{/}Daniel was 
brought in and questioned 
by the king, "Are you 
Daniel, one of the exiles 
my father brought from 
Judah? {I}14_{/}I have 
heard that you have the 
spirit of the gods, that 
you have insight and 
extraordinary wisdom. 
{I}15_{/}Wise men and 
enchanters were brought 
here, but none of them 
could read this writing 
and tell its meaning. 
{I}16_{/}I have heard 
that you can interpret 
dreams and solve 
problems. If you can read 
this writing and tell me 
what it means, you will 
be clothed in purple, 
wear a gold chain around 
your neck, and be 
appointed third in rank 
in my kingdom."
{I}17_{/}Daniel replied, 
"You may keep your gifts 
or give them to someone 
else. Just the same I 
will read and interpret 
the writing for you. 
{I}18_{/}God the Most 
High gave your father 
Nebuchadnezzar 
sovereignty and a great 
kingdom. {I}19_{/}Because 
of the greatness given 
him by God, he was feared 
by nations and peoples of 
every language. He had 
the power of life and 
death over everyone. He 
exalted or humbled 
whomsoever he wished. 
{I}20_{/}But when he 
became arrogant and 
insolent, he was deposed 
and stripped of his 
glory. {I}21_{/}He became 
an outcast and as 
senseless as a beast. He 
lived with wild asses, 
ate grass like cattle and 
his body was drenched 
with the dew of heaven, 
until he acknowledged 
that God the Most High 
rules over the kingdom of 
men and appoints whom he 
pleases to govern it. 
{I}22_{/}But you his son 
Belshazzar, although you 
knew all this, have not 
humbled yourself. 
{I}23_{/}You have defied 
the Lord of heaven. You 
had the vessels from his 
temple brought to you, 
and together with your 
nobles, your wives and 
concubines, you drank 
wine from them. You 
praised the idols made of 
silver and gold, of 
bronze, iron and stones, 
which neither see, nor 
hear, nor understand; but 
you never glorified God 
who has power over your 
life and all your 
fortunes. {I}24_{/}So he 
sent the hand that wrote 
the inscription 
{I}25_{/}which read MENE, 
MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. And 
these words mean: 
{I}26_{/}MENE, God has 
numbered the days of your 
reign and put an end to 
it; {I}27_{/}TEKEL, you 
have been weighed on the 
scales and found wanting; 
{I}28_{/}PARSIN, your 
kingdom has been divided 
and given to the Medes 
and the Persians."
{I}29_{/}On Belshazzar's 
order, Daniel was clothed 
in purple, given a gold 
chain to wear around his 
neck, and proclaimed the 
third highest ruler in 
the kingdom. 
{I}30_{/}That very night, 
however, the Chaldean 
king Belshazzar was 
slain. 
{1}6{/}

{I}1_{/}Darius the Mede, 
at the age of sixty-two, 
took over the kingdom.
DANIEL IS THROWN INTO THE 
LION'S DEN{/}

{I}2_{/}Darius appointed 
one hundred and twenty 
satraps throughout the 
whole kingdom. They were 
made accountable to three 
administrators, one of 
whom was Daniel. This was 
to ensure that no loss or 
harm should come to the 
king. {I}3_{/}Because of 
the extraordinary spirit 
residing in him, Daniel 
excelled above all the 
other administrators and 
satraps, so that the king 
planned to give him 
authority over the entire 
kingdom. {I}4_{/}This 
provoked envy among the 
administrators and 
satraps, who tried to 
find grounds for filing 
charges against Daniel as 
regard his performance of 
official duties. But he 
was so trustworthy that 
neither corruption nor 
negligence could be found 
in him. {I}5_{/}Finally 
the men decided: "We will 
never find any grounds 
for charges against this 
man Daniel except in 
something that has to do 
with the law of his God."
{I}6_{/}These 
administrators and 
satraps, therefore, went 
as a group to the king 
and said to him, "Live 
forever, O King Darius! 
{I}7_{/}The 
administrators of the 
kingdom, the prefects, 
satraps, counselors and 
governors are all agreed 
that the king should 
issue and enforce a 
decree that anyone who 
prays and makes petition 
to any god or man within 
the next thirty days, 
except to you, O king, 
shall be thrown into the 
lions' den. {I}8_{/}And 
now, O king, put the 
decree in writing and 
have it signed at once, 
so that it cannot be 
altered or annulled, in 
accordance with Medo-
Persian laws. 
{I}9_{/}King Darius put 
in writing and signed the 
prohibition, thus making 
it a law.
{I}10_{/}Daniel heard 
about the new law, but 
just as usual, he 
returned home and prayed 
three times a day, giving 
thanks to his God, in his 
room upstairs with the 
windows opened towards 
Jerusalem. {I}11_{/}There 
the men spying on him 
found Daniel kneeling in 
prayer and asking God for 
help. {I}12_{/}So they 
went to the king and 
reminded him about the 
prohibition, "O king, did 
you not publish a decree 
that anyone who prays or 
makes petition to any god 
or man except to you 
would be thrown into the 
lions' den?"
The king answered, "Yes, 
and the decree stands, in 
accordance with Medo-
Persian laws which cannot 
be altered or annulled."
{I}13_{/}Then they said, 
"But the Jewish exile 
Daniel pays no attention 
to you and to your 
decree. Three times a day 
he still prays to some 
god other than you."
{I}14_{/}Greatly 
aggrieved at what he 
heard, the king decided 
to help Daniel. He made 
every effort till sundown 
to save him.
{I}15_{/}But the men kept 
coming to him and 
insisting, "Remember, O 
king, that under the 
Medo-Persian laws every 
decree or prohibition 
issued by the king is 
irrevocable."
{I}16_{/}The king, 
therefore, could not help 
giving the order that 
Daniel be brought and 
thrown into the lions' 
den. The king said to 
Daniel, "May your God, 
whom you serve 
faithfully, save you."
{I}17_{/}A stone was 
placed at the mouth of 
the den, and the king 
sealed it with his own 
signet ring and with that 
of his nobles, so that 
Daniel's situation might 
remain unchanged. 
{I}18_{/}Then the king 
returned to his palace 
and spent a sleepless 
night, refusing food and 
entertainment. 
{I}19_{/}Very early next 
morning, he rose and 
hurried to the lions' 
den. {I}20_{/}As he came 
near he called in an 
anguished voice, "Daniel, 
servant of the living 
God, did your God whom 
you serve faithfully save 
you from the lions?"
{I}21_{/}Daniel answered, 
"Live forever, O king! 
{I}22_{/}My God sent his 
angel who closed the 
lions' mouths so that 
they did not hurt me. God 
did that because I am 
innocent in his sight. 
Neither have I wronged 
you, O king."
{I}23_{/}The king felt 
very glad and ordered 
Daniel released from the 
lions' den. No wound was 
found on him for he had 
trusted in his God. 
{I}24_{/}At the king's 
order, the men who had 
accused Daniel were 
thrown into the lions' 
den, together with their 
wives and children. No 
sooner had they reached 
the floor of the den than 
the lions lunged at them 
and tore them to pieces.
{I}25_{/}King Darius 
wrote to the nations,to 
peoples of every 
language, "Peace to you 
all! {I}26_{/}I decree 
that throughout my 
kingdom people should 
reverence and fear the 
God of Daniel.
"For he is the living 
God,
and forever he endures;
his kingdom will not be 
crushed,
his dominion will never 
cease.
{I}27_{/}He rescues and 
he delivers;
he performs signs and 
wonders
both in heaven and on 
earth.
And he came to Daniel's 
rescue
saving him from the 
lions' tooth and claw."
{I}28_{/}Daniel greatly 
prospered during the 
reign of Darius and the 
reign of Cyrus the 
Persian.
VISION OF THE FOUR 
EMPIRES{/}

{1}7{/}

{I}1_{/}In the first year 
of the reign  of King 
Belshazzar of Babylon, 
Daniel had a dream and 
visions in his mind as he 
was sleeping. When he 
woke up, he wrote down 
the dream. This is how 
the narrative began:
{I}2_{/}Daniel said, "I 
saw the following in my 
vision: the four winds of 
heaven stirred up the 
great sea, {I}3_{/}and 
four great beasts, each 
one different from the 
other, came out of the 
sea.
{I}4_{/}The first was 
like a lion with eagle's 
wings. As I looked at it, 
its wings were torn off. 
It was lifted up from the 
ground, stood up on its 
feet like a man, and was 
given a human heart. 
{I}5_{/}The second was a 
beast like a bear; it was 
raised up on one side and 
had three ribs in its 
mouth between its teeth. 
It was told: Go and 
devour much flesh. 
{I}6_{/}I went on looking 
and saw another beast 
like a leopard with four 
wings on its back; it had 
four heads and dominion 
was given to it.
{I}7_{/}I continued 
seeing my visions of the 
night and saw a terrible 
fourth beast. It was 
fearful and 
extraordinarily strong; 
it had great iron teeth; 
it ate, tore into pieces, 
and crushed underfoot 
whatever remained. It was 
different from the 
previous beasts and had 
ten horns. {I}8_{/}I was 
looking at the horns, 
when another small horn 
sprang among them, and 
three of the first horns 
were pulled out by the 
roots to make way for the 
new. It had eyes like 
human eyes and a mouth 
that uttered insolent 
words.
THE SON OF MAN{/}

{I}9_{/}I looked and saw 
the following:
Some thrones were set in 
place and One of Great 
Age took his seat. His 
robe was white as snow, 
his hair white as washed 
wool. His throne was 
flames of fire with 
wheels of blazing fire. 
{I}10_{/}A river of fire 
sprang forth and flowed 
before him. Thousands 
upon thousands served him 
and a countless multitude 
stood before him.
Those in the tribunal 
took their seats and 
opened the book. 
{I}11_{/}But as I 
remembered the haughty 
words of the horn with 
human eyes and mouth 
which I had seen before, 
this animal was killed 
before my eyes, and its 
body destroyed and cast 
into the fire. 
{I}12_{/}Dominion was 
taken from the other 
animals, though they were 
allowed to stay alive for 
a time, until the fixed 
time.
{I}13_{/}I continued 
watching the nocturnal 
vision: 
One like a son of man 
came on the clouds of 
heaven. He faced the One 
of Great Age and was 
brought into his 
presence. 
{I}14_{/}Dominion, honor 
and kingship were given 
him, and all the peoples 
and nations of every 
language served him. His 
dominion is eternal and 
shall never pass away; 
his kingdom will never be 
destroyed.
{I}15_{/}I, Daniel, was 
deeply troubled, since 
these visions terrified 
me. {I}16_{/}I approached 
one of those who were 
standing there, and asked 
him to tell me what all 
this meant. He answered 
me and gave me the 
interpretation of these 
things:
{I}17_{/}'These four 
beasts are four kings who 
will rise from the earth. 
{I}18_{/}But the holy 
ones of the Most High 
shall receive the kingdom 
to possess it eternally, 
forever and ever.'
{I}19_{/}Then I wanted to 
know the meaning of the 
fourth beast, different 
from the others, 
extraordinarily 
terrifying, with iron 
teeth and bronze claws, 
that ate, tore into 
pieces and crushed 
underfoot whatever 
remained. {I}20_{/}I also 
wanted to know about the 
ten horns it had on its 
head, and about the other 
horn which had sprung up, 
and the three first horns 
that fell, and about this 
horn with eyes and a 
mouth that spoke with 
arrogance, and that 
looked greater than the 
other horns.
{I}21_{/}As I looked, 
this horn waged war 
against the holy ones and 
was subduing them  
{I}22_{/}until the One of 
Great Age came to do 
justice for the holy ones 
of the Most High, and the 
time came for the holy 
ones to take possession 
of the kingdom.
{I}23_{/}Then I was told:
'The fourth animal shall 
be a fourth kingdom on 
earth, different from all 
the kingdoms. It will 
devour the earth, crush 
it and destroy it.
{I}24_{/}The ten horns 
are ten kings who shall 
rise from this kingdom. 
Another one will rise up 
after them and destroy 
three kings.
{I}25_{/}This king shall 
insult the Most High and 
persecute the holy ones 
of the Most High. He 
shall try to change the 
feasts and the laws. The 
holy ones shall be handed 
over to his power for a 
time, two times, and half 
a time.
{I}26_{/}But judgment 
will come and dominion 
will be taken from him; 
he shall be destroyed and 
utterly wiped out. 
{I}27_{/}The kingship, 
dominion and leadership 
of all the kingdoms of 
the world shall be given 
to the people of the holy 
ones of God Most High: 
his kingdom will be 
without end. All the 
kingdoms shall serve him 
and be subject to him.'
{I}28_{/}Here ends the 
narrative. I, Daniel, was 
greatly disturbed in my 
thoughts, I grew pale and 
I kept these things in my 
heart."
ANOTHER VISION ABOUT KING 
ANTIOCHUS{/}

{1}8{/}

{I}1_{/}In the third year 
of the reign of King 
Belshazzar, I, Daniel, 
had another vision. 
{I}2_{/}In the vision, I 
saw myself in Susa, the 
fortified city in the 
province of Elam; I 
noticed that I was by the 
river Ulai.
{I}3_{/}I raised my eyes 
and saw a ram standing 
before the river. It had 
two long horns, but one 
was longer than the 
other. {I}4_{/}I saw the 
ram charging westward, 
northward and southward. 
No animal could resist 
it, none could escape its 
power. It did as it 
pleased and so became 
great.
{I}5_{/}As I was 
thinking, a he-goat came 
from the west, as if 
flying above the entire 
earth without touching 
the ground; it had a 
great horn between its 
eyes. {I}6_{/}It 
approached the ram with 
the two horns which I had 
seen by the river, and it 
ran towards the ram with 
all the fury of its 
strength. {I}7_{/}I saw 
how it reached the ram 
and directed itself 
against it; it charged 
the ram and broke its two 
horns, and the ram was 
unable to resist. It cast 
it down to the ground and 
crushed it. No one could 
free the ram from its 
power.
{I}8_{/}The he-goat 
became very great, but 
when it was powerful, the 
great horn snapped and in 
its place sprang four 
great horns facing the 
four winds of heaven. 
{I}9_{/}From one of 
these, the small one, 
sprang a horn which grew 
big towards the south and 
east and towards the 
Beautiful Land.
{I}10_{/}It grew up to 
the army of heaven and 
flung part of the stars 
to the ground and crushed 
them underfoot. 
{I}11_{/}It even came to 
the Commander of the 
army, deprived him of the 
perpetual sacrifice and 
made useless his temple 
{I}12_{/}and the army. It 
put Abomination in place 
of the sacrifice and 
flung Truth to the 
ground. And whatever it 
undertook succeeded.
{I}13_{/}Then I heard a 
holy one speaking and 
another who asked him in 
return, "When shall the 
vision be fulfilled? What 
about the perpetual 
offering, the Abomination 
of the devastator, the 
sanctuary handed over and 
the army trampled 
underfoot?" {I}14_{/}He 
answered, "Until two 
thousand three hundred 
evenings and mornings 
have gone by, then the 
Temple shall be 
restored."
{I}15_{/}As I, Daniel, 
looked at this vision and 
tried to understand it, I 
suddenly saw before me 
someone like a man, 
{I}16_{/}and I heard a 
human voice over the 
river Ulai that cried out 
to him: "Gabriel, explain 
the vision to this man."
{I}17_{/}He approached 
the place where I was. 
When he came, I was 
terrified and fell on my 
face. He said to me, "Son 
of man, understand: this 
vision refers to the end-
time." {I}18_{/}As he 
spoke, I lost 
consciousness and fell 
face down on the ground. 
He touched me and raised 
me to my feet. 
{I}19_{/}Then he said, 
"See, I will reveal to 
you what is going to 
happen when the wrath 
comes to an end, for the 
end is set.
{I}20_{/}The ram you have 
seen, with its two horns, 
stands for the two kings 
of the Medes and the 
Persians. {I}21_{/}The 
hairy he-goat is the king 
of Greece; the great horn 
between its eyes is the 
first of its kings; this 
horn snapped, 
{I}22_{/}and the four 
horns that sprang up in 
its place are the four 
kingdoms that will rise 
from his nation, but will 
not overpower him.
{I}23_{/}At the end of 
their reign, when the 
sinners have reached 
their full number, a king 
will arise, insolent and 
wise in cunning. 
{I}24_{/}His strength 
will increase, so that he 
shall plot things unheard 
of before.
Whatever he undertakes 
shall prosper, he shall 
destroy the powerful and 
the very people of the 
holy ones. {I}25_{/}He 
shall carry out his 
deceits, will be believed 
in by many and, in the 
fullness of peace, shall 
destroy many. He shall 
even rise against the 
Prince of princes, but he 
shall be destroyed 
without the intervention 
of any human hand.
{I}26_{/}What I said of 
the vision of the 
mornings and evenings is 
true, but keep the vision 
secret, for it will be 
fulfilled only in the 
remote future."
{I}27_{/}I, Daniel, 
fainted and was sick for 
several days. Then I got 
up to attend to the 
king's affairs. I 
remained frightened 
because of the vision and 
did not understand it.
THE PRAYER OF DANIEL{/}

{1}9{/}

{I}1_{/}In the first year 
of the reign of Darius, 
son of Ahasuerus, of the 
Median race, who was king 
of Chaldea, the following 
happened:
{I}2_{/}I, Daniel, 
thought about the number 
of years, according to 
the scriptures, before 
Jerusalem should be left 
in ruins. Yahweh spoke of 
seventy years to the 
prophet Jeremiah. 
{I}3_{/}I turned to the 
Lord and begged him. I 
pleaded with prayers and 
fasting. I did penance, I 
put on sackcloth and sat 
on an ash pile.
{I}4_{/}I prayed to 
Yahweh, my God, and made 
this confession: "Lord 
God, great and to be 
feared, you keep your 
Covenant and love for 
those who love you and 
observe your 
commandments. {I}5_{/}We 
have sinned, we have not 
been just, we have been 
rebels, and have turned 
away from your 
commandments and laws. 
{I}6_{/}We have not 
listened to your 
servants, the prophets, 
who spoke in your name to 
our kings, leaders, 
fathers and to all the 
people of the land.
{I}7_{/}Lord, justice is 
yours, but ours is a face 
full of shame, as it is 
to this day - we, the men 
of Judah, the inhabitants 
of Jerusalem, the whole 
of Israel, near and far 
away, in all the lands 
where you have dispersed 
us because of the 
infidelity we have 
committed against you. 
{I}8_{/}Ours is the 
shame, O Lord for we, our 
kings, princes, fathers, 
have sinned against you. 
{I}9_{/}We hope for 
pardon and mercy from the 
Lord, because we have 
rebelled against him. 
{I}10_{/}We have not 
listened to the voice of 
Yahweh, our God, or 
followed the laws which 
he has given us through 
his servants, the 
prophets.
{I}11_{/}All Israel has 
broken your law and has 
turned away from it 
rather than listen to 
your voice. Therefore, 
the curse and the threats 
written in the Law of 
Moses, the servant of 
God, have come upon us 
because we have sinned 
against him. {I}12_{/}He 
has carried out the 
threats he pronounced 
against us and against 
those who governed us: he 
brought a terrible 
calamity upon us. No, 
never could there be 
anything worse than what 
has come upon Jerusalem.
{I}13_{/}All these 
disasters have struck us 
with dread as it was 
written in the Law of 
Moses, but we have not 
tried to calm the anger 
of Yahweh, our God. We 
have not turned away from 
our sins and learned to 
listen to your truth. 
{I}14_{/}Yahweh made true 
his threat and brought 
this calamity upon us, 
for Yahweh, our God, is 
just in all his works, 
while we have not obeyed 
his voice.
{I}15_{/}And now, O Lord 
our God, who brought your 
people out of Egypt by 
your powerful hand and 
gained renown to this 
day, we have sinned, we 
have been unfaithful. 
{I}16_{/}Lord, in keeping 
with your kindness, turn 
away your anger and wrath 
from Jerusalem, your 
city, your holy mountain, 
for because of our sins 
and the wickedness of our 
fathers, Jerusalem and 
your people are the 
laughingstock of all 
around us.
{I}17_{/}So now, our God, 
listen to the prayer and 
pleading of your servant 
and, for your own sake, 
let your face shine upon 
your desolate sanctuary. 
{I}18_{/}My God, incline 
your ear and listen. Open 
your eyes and see how the 
city lies in ruins, the 
city upon which your Name 
has been pronounced. We 
do not rely on our good 
works, but we pour out 
our plea before you, 
trusting in your great 
mercy.
{I}19_{/}Listen, Lord! 
Lord, forgive! Pay 
attention to us, Lord! 
Act, my God, and do not 
delay for your own sake, 
since your city and your 
people are called by your 
name."
THE PROPHECY OF THE 
SEVENTY WEEKS{/}

{I}20_{/}At the hour of 
the evening sacrifice, I 
was still speaking, 
confessing my sins and 
those of Israel, my 
people, begging Yahweh on 
behalf of his Holy 
Mountain.
{I}21_{/}At that moment, 
Gabriel whom I had seen 
at the beginning of the 
vision, came to me, 
flying, {I}22_{/}and he 
said to me, "Daniel, I 
have come now to make you 
understand. {I}23_{/}As 
you were praying, a word 
was uttered and I have 
come to teach it to you 
because God loves you. 
Pay attention to this 
word and understand the 
vision:
{I}24_{/}Seventy weeks 
are set for your people 
and your holy city, to 
put an end to 
transgression, to put sin 
under lock, to wipe out 
the offense, and to bring 
everlasting justice, so 
that the visions and the 
prohecies will be 
fulfilled and the Holy of 
Holies be anointed.
{I}25_{/}Understand this, 
then:
From the time the order 
to rebuild Jerusalem was 
given until an anointed 
leader comes, there shall 
be seven weeks. 
Then in sixty-two weeks 
squares and walls will be 
rebuilt, but in a 
difficult time.
{I}26_{/}After the sixty-
two weeks, an anointed 
one will be cut off; the 
city and the temple shall 
be destroyed by the 
people of a king who will 
come. They will be 
carried along as by a 
flood. Until the end, 
there will be wars and 
disasters which God has 
decreed.
{I}27_{/}He will impose 
his law on a great part 
of the people for a week. 
By mid-week, he will put 
a stop to the sacrifices 
and offerings. The 
devastator shall place 
the abominable idol in 
the Temple until the ruin 
decreed by God comes upon 
the devastator."
HISTORY OF THE TIME OF 
THE MACCABEES: A SYMBOLIC 
NARRATIVE{/}

{1}10{/}

{I}1_{/}In the third year 
of the reign of Cyrus, 
king of Persia, God gave 
a message to Daniel, 
renamed Belteshazzar. 
This message spoke of 
fidelity and great 
anguish. Daniel paid 
attention to these words 
and to the following 
vision:
{I}2_{/}At that time, I, 
Daniel, was mourning for 
three weeks. {I}3_{/}I 
ate no rich food, took no 
meat or wine, and did not 
perfume myself for three 
weeks.
{I}4_{/}On the twenty-
fourth day of the first 
month, as I stood on the 
bank of the river Tigris, 
{I}5_{/}I raised my eyes 
and saw this: a man 
clothed in linen with a 
belt of pure gold round 
his waist. {I}6_{/}His 
body was like chrysolite, 
his face had the 
brilliance of lightning, 
his eyes were like 
blazing torches, and the 
sound of his words was 
like the noise of a 
crowd.
{I}7_{/}I, Daniel, alone 
saw this vision; the men 
who were with me did not 
see it, but they were 
seized with great fear 
and they fled to hide. 
{I}8_{/}So I was left 
alone gazing on this 
vision. I was powerless. 
The appearance of my face 
changed fearfully, and I 
retained absolutely no 
strength. {I}9_{/}I heard 
the sound of his words, 
and when I heard it, I 
fainted face down to the 
ground. {I}10_{/}Then a 
hand touched me, and set 
me trembling on my hands 
and knees.
{I}11_{/}He said to me, 
"Daniel, man loved by 
God, pay attention to the 
words I shall say to you 
and stand up, for I have 
been sent to you now." 
When I heard these words 
I stood up trembling.
{I}12_{/}Then he said to 
me, "Daniel, do not be 
afraid, for from that 
first day when you 
resolved to acquire 
understanding and to 
humble yourself before 
your God, your 
supplications were heard, 
and it is precisely 
because of this that I 
have come.
{I}13_{/}The prince of 
the Persian kingdom has 
resisted me for twenty-
one days, but Michael, 
one of the leading 
angels, has come to my 
assistance. I left him 
there with the kings of 
Persia, {I}14_{/}and I 
have come to tell you 
what will happen to your 
people in the days to 
come. For this new 
vision, too, refers to 
those days."
{I}15_{/}When he had said 
these words to me, I 
bowed my head and kept 
silent, but someone like 
a man touched my lips. 
{I}16_{/}Then I opened my 
mouth to speak and said 
to him who was before me, 
"My lord, anguish 
overcomes me at this 
vision, and I have no 
strength. {I}17_{/}How 
can I speak to my lord 
when my strength fails me 
and I cannot breathe?"
{I}18_{/}The one who 
looked like a man touched 
me again, and he 
strengthened me. 
{I}19_{/}He said to me, 
"Man chosen by God, do 
not fear. Peace be with 
you. Have courage and be 
strong." {I}20_{/}And as 
he spoke, I felt 
strengthened, and I said, 
"Speak, my lord, now that 
I feel strong."
Then he said to me, "Do 
you know why I have come 
to you? {I}21_{/}I shall 
reveal to you what is 
written in the Book of 
Truth. After that I have 
to return to fight 
against the angel of 
Persia; then, the angel 
of Greece will come. No 
one lends me support in 
all this except Michael, 
your angel.
{1}11{/}

{I}1_{/}He helps and 
strengthens me in the 
same way that I have 
helped him in the first 
year of Darius, the Mede. 
{I}2_{/}But now, I shall 
tell you the truth.
There shall be three more 
kings in Persia, and the 
fourth shall have more 
riches than all the 
others. And when he has 
grown strong with his 
riches, he will stir up 
everything against the 
kingdom of Greece.
{I}3_{/}A powerful king 
will rise and reign over 
a vast empire and do as 
he pleases. {I}4_{/}But 
as soon as he has secured 
his reign, his empire 
will be broken up and 
divided out to the four 
winds of heaven, though 
not among his 
descendants. It will not 
be the same dynasty, but 
his kingdom shall be 
taken from them and 
passed on to others.
{I}5_{/}The king of the 
South will grow powerful, 
but one of his leaders 
will grow more powerful 
still and will have an 
empire greater than his. 
{I}6_{/}Some years later, 
they will be allies and 
the daughter of the king 
of the South shall come 
to the king of the North 
to conclude the alliance. 
But she will not endure; 
for she will be put to 
death with those who 
brought her, and her son 
and husband as well. 
{I}7_{/}Then, a bud from 
her roots will sprout in 
her place, and will cross 
the land of "the army" 
and enter the fortress of 
the king of the North. 
{I}8_{/}He will be 
victorious in wars and 
will appropriate to 
himself their gods, 
statues and objects of 
silver and gold: all this 
plunder will be brought 
into Egypt. For some 
years, he shall remain 
far away from the king of 
the North.
{I}9_{/}The king of the 
North will invade the 
kingdom of the South, and 
then return to his own 
country. {I}10_{/}His 
sons will prepare for war 
and assemble a great 
multitude of troops. One 
of them will come like an 
overflowing river; he 
will break through and 
then withdraw after 
having fought right up to 
his fortress. 
{I}11_{/}Then the king of 
the South, enraged, will 
set out to fight against 
the king of the North. He 
will mobilize a great 
army, and the multitude 
will fall into his hands 
{I}12_{/}and perish. Then 
he will become proud and 
crush tens of thousands 
of men, but his strength 
will not last.
{I}13_{/}The king of the 
North will attack after 
mobilizing a greater army 
than the first. And after 
several years, he will 
come with a large army 
and abundant provisions 
and supplies. 
{I}14_{/}Then many will 
rise against the king of 
the South, and the 
violent among your people 
will rise against him, 
trusting in a vision, but 
they will throw up 
siegeworks and will 
capture the fortified 
city. {I}15_{/}The king 
of the South will not be 
able to resist, he and 
the picked troops of his 
people.
{I}16_{/}He who marches 
against him will do as he 
pleases, and none can 
resist him, and he will 
settle in the Beautiful 
Land, bringing 
destruction. {I}17_{/}He 
shall plan to reign over 
his whole kingdom, and 
will conclude an 
agreement with him, 
giving him one of his 
daughters, in order to 
destroy the kingdom. But 
he will not succeed, so 
it will not happen.
{I}18_{/}Then he will 
turn against the islands 
and seize a good number 
of them, but a commander 
will humble him, and he 
will not be able to 
avenge himself. 
{I}19_{/}So he will turn 
against the fortresses of 
his own land, but he will 
stumble, fall and never 
rise again.
{I}20_{/}In his place 
will rise another who 
will send a tax collector 
to despoil the Glory of 
his Kingdom, but he will 
be overthrown within a 
few days, though neither 
with arms nor in battle.
{I}21_{/}In his place a 
contemptible man will 
rise to whom royal 
dignity has not been 
given, but he will 
intervene unexpectedly 
and will gain possession 
of the kingdom by 
intrigue. {I}22_{/}The 
enemy forces will be 
completely routed and 
utterly destroyed by him, 
and the Prince of the 
covenant, too. 
{I}23_{/}He will act with 
cunning, making good use 
of the pacts concluded 
with him, and with a few 
men, he will grow strong.
{I}24_{/}He will invade 
the richest provinces and 
will do what his fathers 
or his grandfathers had 
not done. He will divide 
the plunder, the booty 
and the riches among his 
friends. He will devise 
plans against fortresses, 
but up to a certain 
period only.
{I}25_{/}He will direct 
his strength and courage 
against the king of the 
South. The king of the 
South will go to war with 
a great and powerful 
army, but will not be 
able to resist, for 
conspiracies have been 
plotted against him. 
{I}26_{/}Those who ate 
from his table will ruin 
him, his army will be 
disbanded and many will 
fall dead by the sword.
{I}27_{/}The two kings 
will not think of  
anything but to do harm 
and to deceive each other 
while sitting at the same 
table. But they will not 
accomplish anything, 
since there is{I} 
{/}still time before the 
appointed moment.
{I}28_{/}The king of the 
North will return to his 
land with great riches 
and will devise plans 
against the Holy 
Covenant. He will act 
against it, then he will 
return to his land. 
{I}29_{/}In due time he 
will return again to the 
South, but in this second 
time, things will not be 
as before.
{I}30_{/}The ships of 
Kittim will come against 
him and he will have to 
abandon his plan, but he 
will vent his anger 
against the Holy 
Covenant, and will again 
favor those who have 
turned away from the Holy 
Covenant. {I}31_{/}He 
will send some of his 
forces to profane the 
Citadel sanctuary, to 
suppress the perpetual 
sacrifice and there to 
set up the Abominable 
Idol of the devastator. 
{I}32_{/}He will corrupt 
with flatteries those who 
violate the Covenant, but 
the people who know their 
God will stand firm.
{I}33_{/}The most 
intelligent among the 
people will teach many, 
but they will fall by the 
sword or be burned or 
exiled or plundered of 
their goods for some 
time. {I}34_{/}And when 
they fall, they will 
receive little help; but 
many will join them in 
deceit. {I}35_{/}Some 
among the learned will 
stumble, but this will be 
so as to prove them, to 
purify and cleanse them 
until the end which is to 
come at its appointed 
time.
{I}36_{/}The king will 
act according to his 
whims, becoming conceited 
and exalting himself 
above all the gods, and 
he will speak outrageous 
blasphemies against the 
God of gods. He will 
prosper until the Wrath 
is filled to overflowing, 
for what has been decreed 
will be fulfilled. 
{I}37_{/}He will pay no 
heed to his fathers' 
gods, will not mind the 
favorite god of the 
women, or any other god, 
but will exalt only 
himself as greater than 
them all. {I}38_{/}In 
their place, he will 
worship the god of 
fortresses, a god unknown 
to his fathers, and will 
honor him with gold, 
silver and precious 
stones and jewels. 
{I}39_{/}Trusting in a 
foreign god, he will 
attack the fortresses. 
Those who adore him will 
be given great honor, 
they will have authority 
to divide the land as a 
reward.
{I}40_{/}When the end-
time comes, the king of 
the South will confront 
him. The king of the 
North will attack him 
with chariot cavalry and 
many ships. He will enter 
his lands, invade them 
and pass through them.
{I}41_{/}He will come to 
the Beautiful Land where 
many will fall; only the 
people of Edom, Moab and 
the best of the Ammonites 
will escape. {I}42_{/}He 
will stretch out his hand 
to many countries, 
including Egypt. 
{I}43_{/}He will seize 
the treasures of gold and 
silver and all precious 
objects of Egypt. Libyans 
and Ethiopians will join 
him.
{I}44_{/}But reports 
coming from the East and 
the North will worry him, 
and he will set out in a 
rage, determined to 
utterly wipe out and 
destroy many.
{I}45_{/}He will set up 
the tent of his military 
camp between the sea and 
the Holy Mountain of the 
Beautiful Land. Then he 
will come to his end and 
no one will come to his 
aid.
THOSE WHO SLEEP WILL 
AWAKE TO EVERLASTING 
LIFE{/}

{1}12{/}

{I}1_{/}At that time, 
Michael will rise, the 
Great Commander who 
defends the sons of your 
people. It shall be a 
time of anguish as never 
before since the nations 
first existed until this 
very day.
Then all those whose 
names are written in the 
Book will be saved. 
{I}2_{/}Many of those who 
sleep in the Region of 
the Dust will awake, some 
to everlasting life but 
others to eternal horror 
and shame. {I}3_{/}Those 
who acquired knowledge 
will shine like the 
brilliance of the 
firmament; those who 
taught people to be just 
will shine like the stars 
for all eternity.
{I}4_{/}And you, Daniel, 
keep these words secret 
and have the Book sealed 
until the appointed time 
of the end. Many will 
wander looking here and 
there. Wickedness will go 
on increasing."
{I}5_{/}I, Daniel, looked 
and saw two others 
standing, one on either 
side of the river. 
{I}6_{/}One said to the 
man clothed in linen who 
was upstream, "When will 
these wonderful things 
take place?"
{I}7_{/}And I heard the 
answer of the man in 
linen who was upstream. 
He raised his hands to 
heaven and swore by the 
One who lives eternally: 
"Everything will be 
fulfilled within a time, 
two times and a half a 
time. When the holy 
people is completely 
crushed and without any 
strength, then these 
things will be 
fulfilled."
{I}8_{/}I heard but did 
not understand. Then I 
said, "My lord, what will 
be the outcome of these 
things?" {I}9_{/}He said, 
"Go, Daniel, for these 
words are secret and 
sealed until the 
appointed time of the 
end. {I}10_{/}Many will 
be purified, cleansed and 
proved. The impious will 
go on doing evil, none of 
them will understand 
anything, only the 
learned will understand.
{I}11_{/}From the time 
the perpetual sacrifice 
is suppressed and the 
Abominable Idol of the 
devastator is installed, 
there shall be a thousand 
two hundred ninety days. 
{I}12_{/}Fortunate is the 
one who waits and reaches 
a thousand three hundred 
thirty-five days. 
{I}13_{/}And you, go your 
way until your end. You 
shall rest and then rise 
to receive your reward at 
the end of time."
THREE BOOKS ADDED TO THE 
BOOK OF DANIEL{/}

THE STORY OF SUSANNA{/}

{1}13{/}

{I}1_{/}There lived in 
Babylon  a man named 
Joakim, {I}2_{/}who was 
married to a very 
beautiful God-fearing 
woman, Susanna, Hilkiah's 
daughter, {I}3_{/}whose 
pious parents had trained 
her in the law of Moses. 
{I}4_{/}A very rich man 
and greatly respected by 
his countrymen, Joakim 
was frequently visited by 
the Jews in his house 
adjoining a garden.
{I}5_{/}That year, two 
elders of the people were 
appointed judges, in whom 
this word of the Lord 
became true, "Wickedness 
has come forth from 
Babylon, through the 
elders appointed judges, 
who were supposed to 
govern the people." 
{I}6_{/}These men 
frequented Joakim's 
house, and all who had 
legal disputes used to 
come to them.
{I}7_{/}After the people 
had left at noon, Susanna 
would go into her 
husband's garden for a 
walk. {I}8_{/}The two old 
men began to lust for her 
as they watched her enter 
the garden every day. 
{I}9_{/}Forgetting the 
demands of justice and 
virtue, their lust grew 
all the more as they made 
no effort to turn their 
eyes to heaven. 
{I}10_{/}Although both 
were possessed of the 
same passion for her, 
they concealed that from 
each  other, {I}11_{/}for 
they were ashamed to 
reveal their lustful 
desire. {I}12_{/}But they 
continued watching her 
day after day.
{I}13_{/}One day before 
lunch, they parted, 
saying to each other, 
"Let us go home for it is 
meal time. So off they 
went in different 
directions. {I}14_{/}but 
both turned back, and 
coming face to face 
again, each was obliged 
to explain his action and 
admit his lust. They 
agreed to wait for an 
opportunity to meet her 
alone.
{I}15_{/}One day, as they 
were waiting for an 
opportune time, Susanna 
entered the garden as 
usual with only two 
maids. She decided to 
bathe, for it was a hot 
day. {I}16_{/}Nobody else 
was there ex-cept the two 
elders watching her from 
where they had hidden 
themselves.
{I}17_{/}She said to the 
maids, "Bring me oil and 
ointments, and shut the 
garden doors while I 
bathe." {I}18_{/}Unaware 
of the elders hidden 
inside the garden, the 
two maids did as ordered, 
shutting the doors and 
leaving by the side 
entrance to the house to 
fetch what she had asked 
for.
{I}19_{/}When the maids 
had left, the two elders 
hurried to her and said, 
{I}20_{/}"Look, the 
garden doors are shut and 
no one sees us. We desire 
to possess you. 
{I}21_{/}If you refuse to 
give in, we will testify 
that you sent your maids 
away for there was a 
young man here with you."
{I}22_{/}Susanna moaned, 
"Whatever I do, I am 
trapped. If I give in to 
your desire, it will be 
death for me; if I 
refuse, I won't escape 
your persecution. 
{I}23_{/}I would rather 
be persecuted than sin in 
the eyes of the Lord."
{I}24_{/}Susanna 
shrieked, but the old men 
shouted, putting the 
blame on her. 
{I}25_{/}One of them ran 
and opened the garden 
doors. {I}26_{/}Hearing 
the noise in the garden, 
the household servants 
rushed in by the side 
entrance to see what was 
happening. {I}27_{/}They 
were taken aback when 
they heard the elders' 
accusation, for never had 
anything like this been 
said of Susanna.
{I}28_{/}The next day a 
meeting was held at 
Joakim's house. The two 
elders arrived, 
vindictively determined 
to have Susanna sentenced 
to death. {I}29_{/}They 
ordered before all the 
people, "Send for 
Susanna, Hilkiah's 
daughter and Joakim's 
wife." {I}30_{/}They sent 
for her, and she came 
with her parents, 
children and all her 
relatives.
{I}31_{/}Susanna was a 
very refined and 
beautiful woman. 
{I}32_{/}She had her veil 
on, but the wicked elders 
ordered her to uncover 
her face for them to 
feast on her beauty. 
{I}33_{/}Her family and 
friends and all who saw 
her wept.
{I}34_{/}The two elders 
stood up and laid their 
hands upon her head. 
{I}35_{/}Completely 
trusting in the Lord, she 
raised her tearful eyes 
to heaven.
{I}36_{/}The elders 
started making their 
accusation, "We were 
taking a walk in the 
garden when this woman 
came in with two maids. 
She ordered them to shut 
the garden doors and 
dismissed them. 
{I}37_{/}Then a young man 
came out of hiding and 
lay with her. {I}38_{/}We 
were in a corner of the 
garden, and we saw this 
crime from there. We ran 
to them, {I}39_{/}and 
caught them in the act of 
embracing. We were unable 
to take hold of the man. 
He was too strong for us. 
He made a dash for the 
door, opened it and ran 
off. {I}40_{/}But we were 
able to seize this woman. 
We asked her who the 
young man was, 
{I}41_{/}but she refused 
to tell us. This is our 
statement, and we testify 
to its truth."
The assembly took their 
word, since they were 
elders and judges of the 
people. Susanna was 
condemned to death. 
{I}42_{/}She cried aloud, 
"Eternal God, nothing is 
hidden from you; you know 
all things before they 
come to be. {I}43_{/}You 
know that these men have 
testified falsely against 
me. Would you let me die, 
though I am not guilty of 
all their malicious 
charges?"
{I}44_{/}The Lord heard 
her, {I}45_{/}and as she 
was being led to her 
execution, God aroused 
the holy spirit residing 
in a young lad named 
Daniel. {I}46_{/}He 
shouted, "I will have no 
part in the death of this 
woman!"
{I}47_{/}Those present 
turned to him, "What did 
you say?" they all asked.
{I}48_{/}Standing in 
their midst, he said to 
them, "Have you become 
fools, you Israelites, to 
condemn a daughter of 
Israel without due 
process and in the 
absence of clear 
evidence? {I}49_{/}Return 
to court, for those men 
have testified falsely 
against her."
{I}50_{/}Hurriedly they 
returned, and the elders 
said to Daniel, "Come and 
sit with us, for you also 
possess the gifts 
bestowed by God upon the 
elders."
{I}51_{/}Daniel said to 
the people, "Separate 
these two from one 
another and I will 
examine each of them." 
{I}52_{/}When the two 
elders were separated 
from each other, Daniel 
called one of them and 
said, "How wicked you 
have grown with age. Your 
sins of earlier days have 
piled up against you, and 
now is the time of 
reckoning. 
{I}53_{/}Remember how you 
have passed unjust 
sentences, condemning the 
innocent and freeing the 
guilty, although the Lord 
has said 'The innocent 
and the just should not 
be put to death.' 
{I}54_{/}Now, if you 
really witnessed the 
crime, under what tree 
did you see them do it?"
{I}55_{/}The elder 
answered, "Under a mastic 
tree."
Daniel said, "Your lie 
will cost you your head. 
You will be cut in two, 
as soon as the Lord's 
angel receives your 
sentence from God."
{I}56_{/}Putting the 
first one aside, Daniel 
called the other elder 
and said to him, "You 
offspring of Canaan and 
not of Judah, you have 
long allowed yourself to 
be perverted by lust. 
{I}57_{/}This is how you 
have dealt with the 
daughters of Israel, who 
out of fear have yielded 
to you. But here is a 
daughter of Judah who 
would not tolerate your 
wickedness. {I}58_{/}Tell 
me then, under what tree 
did you catch them 
committing the crime?"
The answer came, "Under 
an oak."
{I}59_{/}"Your lie has 
also cost you your head," 
Daniel said. "God's angel 
waits to cut you both in 
two."
{I}60_{/}The whole 
assembly shouted and 
blessed God for helping 
those who hope in him. 
{I}61_{/}They turned 
against the two elders 
who, through Daniel's 
efforts, had been 
convicted by their own 
mouths. In accordance 
with Moses' law, the 
penalty the two elders 
had intended to impose 
upon their neighbor was 
inflicted upon them. 
{I}62_{/}They were 
sentenced to death. Thus 
was the life of an 
innocent woman spared 
that day.
{I}63_{/}Hilkiah and his 
wife praised God for the 
justice given Susanna, 
and so did Joakim her 
husband and all her 
relatives, for she was 
not found guilty of any 
shameful deed. 
{I}64_{/}Daniel was 
greatly esteemed by the 
people from that day 
onward.
DANIEL AND THE PRIESTS OF 
BEL{/}

{1}14{/}

{I}1_{/}When King 
Astyages died, Cyrus the 
Persian ascended the 
throne. {I}2_{/}Daniel 
was very close to the 
king, who held him in 
higher esteem than any of 
his other friends.
{I}3_{/}The Babylonians 
had an idol called Bel, 
to which twelve bushels 
of fine flour, forty 
sheep, and six measures 
of wine were offered 
daily. {I}4_{/}The king 
took part in this cult 
and worshiped the idol 
every day. Daniel, on the 
other hand, worshiped 
only his own God. 
{I}5_{/}And the king 
asked him, "Why don't you 
worship Bel?"
Daniel answered, "I 
worship no man-made 
idols, but only the 
living God who made 
heaven and earth and 
rules over all mankind." 
{I}6_{/}The king asked, 
"Don't you think Bel is a 
living god? Don't you see 
how much he eats and 
drinks every day?"
{I}7_{/}Daniel laughed. 
"Do not be deceived, O 
king. This is only clay 
inside and bronze 
outside. It never ate or 
drank anything."
{I}8_{/}Enraged, the king 
called his priests and 
said to them, "If you 
will not tell me who 
consumes all these 
offerings, you will all 
die. {I}9_{/}But if you 
can show that Bel 
consumes them, it is 
Daniel who will die for 
blaspheming." Daniel said 
to the king, "Let it be 
as you say."
{I}10_{/}There were 
seventy priests of Bel, 
besides their wives and 
children. Together with 
Daniel, the king went to 
Bel's temple. 
{I}11_{/}The priests said 
to the king, "See, we are 
going outside. We will 
leave you here inside, O 
king, to set out the food 
and prepare the wine. 
Then you can leave them, 
shut the door and seal it 
with your ring. 
{I}12_{/}You will return 
in the morning, and if 
you find that Bel has not 
eaten the food and drunk 
the wine, we are ready to 
be executed. But if the 
reverse happens, Daniel 
must die for telling lies 
and slandering us."
{I}13_{/}They were 
confident for they had 
made a secret entrance 
under the table, through 
which they used to come 
in to consume the food 
and wine offerings. 
{I}14_{/}When the priests 
had left, the king set 
the food before Bel, 
while Daniel ordered his 
servants to scatter ashes 
all over the temple 
floor. Then they left 
after shutting the door 
and sealing it with the 
king's ring. 
{I}15_{/}That night the 
priests and their wives 
and children came and, as 
usual, ate and drank the 
offerings.
{I}16_{/}Early the next 
morning, the king 
returned to the temple 
with Daniel. 
{I}17_{/}"Are the seals 
unbroken, Daniel?" the 
king asked. Daniel 
answered, "They are 
unbroken, O king." 
{I}18_{/}Opening the 
door, the king looked at 
the table, then 
exclaimed, "You are 
indeed great, O Bel. 
There is no deception in 
you."
{I}19_{/}Daniel laughed, 
and restraining the king 
from entering, he said, 
"But look at the floor 
and see whose footprints 
these are." {I}20_{/}The 
king said, "I see 
footprints of men, women 
and children."
{I}21_{/}Enraged, the 
king ordered the priests 
and their wives and 
children to be seized. 
They were compelled to 
show him the secret door 
through which they used 
to enter to consume the 
offerings on the table. 
{I}22_{/}They were put to 
death on orders of the 
king. And Bel was handed 
over to Daniel, who 
destroyed the idol and 
its temple.
DANIEL AND THE DRAGON{/}

{I}23_{/}In Babylon there 
was a big dragon which 
was also worshiped. 
{I}24_{/}"Look," said the 
king to Daniel, "this is 
alive, not made of 
bronze. Would you deny 
that this is a living 
god? Worship it."
{I}25_{/}Daniel replied, 
"I will worship no one 
but the Lord my God, for 
he alone is the living 
God. {I}26_{/}With your 
permission, O king, I 
will slay this dragon 
without sword or club." 
The king answered, "You 
have my permission."
{I}26_{/}Then Daniel took 
some pitch, fat and hair, 
and boiled them together. 
He made them into cakes 
which he fed to the 
Dragon. And the Dragon 
burst after eating them. 
{I}27_{/}Daniel said to 
the king, "Now look at 
what happened to the 
thing you worship.
{I}28_{/}The Babylonians 
became angry upon hearing 
of this. "Our king has 
become a Jew," they said. 
"He destroyed Bel, killed 
the Dragon and put the 
priests to death." 
{I}29_{/}They went to the 
king and said, "Hand 
Daniel over to us or we 
will kill you and your 
family!" {I}30_{/}The 
king was forced to hand 
Daniel over to the 
people.
{I}31_{/}Daniel was 
thrown into the lions' 
den, where he stayed for 
six days. {I}32_{/}In the 
den were seven lions 
which were fed daily with 
two human bodies and two 
sheep. This food was 
withheld from them, to 
make sure that they would 
devour Daniel.
{I}33_{/}Now in Judea was 
a prophet named Habakkuk. 
He had put some bread and 
stew in a basket, and was 
about to take them to the 
reapers in the field 
{I}34_{/}when an angel of 
the lord appeared and 
said to him, "Take that 
lunch to Daniel in the 
lion's den at Babylon."
{I}35_{/}Habakkuk said, 
"Sir, I have never been 
to Babylon nor have I 
seen the lions' den." 
{I}36_{/}The angel then 
took him by the crown of 
his head, carried him by 
his hair, and soon they 
were alighting above the 
lion's den in Babylon. 
{I}37_{/}"Daniel, 
Daniel," cried, Habakkuk, 
"take this lunch God has 
sent you."
{I}38_{/}Daniel gave 
thanks to God, saying, 
"You have remembered me, 
O God, and have not 
forsaken those who love 
you." {I}39_{/}Daniel 
ate, and the Lord's angel 
returned Habakkuk to his 
own place.
{I}40_{/}On the seventh 
day, the king came to the 
lions' den to mourn for 
Daniel. He looked inside 
and saw Daniel sitting 
there. {I}41_{/}The king 
cried aloud, "How great 
you are, O Lord God of 
Daniel! Surely there is 
no other God but you!" 
{I}42_{/}He took Daniel 
out and threw into the 
den those who tried to 
destroy him. They were at 
once devoured before his 
eyes.

