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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Daniel 3 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/daniel/3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmcc/daniel/3-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com/catholic">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NRSVCE</a> > Daniel 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../daniel/2.htm" title="Daniel 2">◄</a> Daniel 3 <a href="../daniel/4.htm" title="Daniel 4">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition</td><td width="1%" valign="top"></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><div class="text-html"> <h3>The Golden Image</h3>1King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue whose height was sixty cubits and whose width was six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent for the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to assemble and come to the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3So the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. When they were standing before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up, 4the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6Whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.” 7Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8Accordingly, at this time certain Chaldeans came forward and denounced the Jews. 9They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10You, O king, have made a decree, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, shall fall down and worship the golden statue, 11and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire. 12There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These pay no heed to you, O king. They do not serve your gods and they do not worship the golden statue that you have set up.” 13Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought in; so they brought those men before the king. 14Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up? 15Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, well and good.a</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote a">a</a>] But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?” 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. 17If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us.b</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote b">b</a>] 18But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.” <h3>The Fiery Furnace</h3>19Then Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face was distorted. He ordered the furnace heated up seven times more than was customary, 20and ordered some of the strongest guards in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21So the men were bound, still wearing their tunics,c</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote c">c</a>] their trousers,d</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote d">d</a>] their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the furnace of blazing fire. 22Because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace was so overheated, the raging flames killed the men who lifted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23But the three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down, bound, into the furnace of blazing fire. <h3>The Prayer of Azariah in the Furnace</h3>24They walked around in the midst of the flames, singing hymns to God and blessing the Lord. 25Then Azariah stood still in the fire and prayed aloud: <div class="poetry">26“Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our ancestors, and worthy of praise;     and glorious is your name forever! 27For you are just in all you have done;     all your works are true and your ways right,     and all your judgments are true. 28You have executed true judgments in all you have brought upon us     and upon Jerusalem, the holy city of our ancestors;     by a true judgment you have brought all this upon us because of our sins. 29For we have sinned and broken your law in turning away from you;     in all matters we have sinned grievously. 30We have not obeyed your commandments,     we have not kept them or done what you have commanded us for our own good. 31So all that you have brought upon us,     and all that you have done to us,     you have done by a true judgment. 32You have handed us over to our enemies, lawless and hateful rebels,     and to an unjust king, the most wicked in all the world. 33And now we cannot open our mouths;     we, your servants who worship you, have become a shame and a reproach. 34For your name’s sake do not give us up forever,     and do not annul your covenant. 35    Do not withdraw your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham your beloved     and for the sake of your servant Isaac     and Israel your holy one, 36to whom you promised     to multiply their descendants like the stars of heaven     and like the sand on the shore of the sea. 37For we, O Lord, have become fewer than any other nation,     and are brought low this day in all the world because of our sins. 38In our day we have no ruler, or prophet, or leader,     no burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense,     no place to make an offering before you and to find mercy. 39Yet with a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted, 40    as though it were with burnt offerings of rams and bulls,     or with tens of thousands of fat lambs;     such may our sacrifice be in your sight today,     and may we unreservedly follow you,e</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote e">e</a>]     for no shame will come to those who trust in you. 41And now with all our heart we follow you;     we fear you and seek your presence. 42Do not put us to shame,     but deal with us in your patience     and in your abundant mercy. 43Deliver us in accordance with your marvelous works,     and bring glory to your name, O Lord. 44Let all who do harm to your servants be put to shame;     let them be disgraced and deprived of all power,     and let their strength be broken. 45Let them know that you alone are the Lord God,     glorious over the whole world.”</div> <h3>The Song of the Three Jews</h3>46Now the king’s servants who threw them in kept stoking the furnace with naphtha, pitch, tow, and brushwood. 47And the flames poured out above the furnace forty-nine cubits, 48and spread out and burned those Chaldeans who were caught near the furnace. 49But the angel of the Lord came down into the furnace to be with Azariah and his companions, and drove the fiery flame out of the furnace, 50and made the inside of the furnace as though a moist wind were whistling through it. The fire did not touch them at all and caused them no pain or distress. 51Then the three with one voice praised and glorified and blessed God in the furnace: <div class="poetry">52“Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our ancestors,     and to be praised and highly exalted forever; And blessed is your glorious, holy name,     and to be highly praised and highly exalted forever. 53Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,     and to be extolled and highly glorified forever. 54Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne on the cherubim,     and to be praised and highly exalted forever. 55Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,     and to be extolled and highly exalted forever. 56Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,     and to be sung and glorified forever.</div> <div class="poetry top-1">57“Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 58Bless the Lord, you heavens;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 59Bless the Lord, you angels of the Lord;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 60Bless the Lord, all you waters above the heavens;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 61Bless the Lord, all you powers of the Lord;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 62Bless the Lord, sun and moon;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 63Bless the Lord, stars of heaven;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.</div> <div class="poetry top-1">64“Bless the Lord, all rain and dew;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 65Bless the Lord, all you winds;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 66Bless the Lord, fire and heat;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 67Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 68Bless the Lord, dews and falling snow;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 69Bless the Lord, ice and cold;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 70Bless the Lord, frosts and snows;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 71Bless the Lord, nights and days;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 72Bless the Lord, light and darkness;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 73Bless the Lord, lightnings and clouds;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.</div> <div class="poetry top-1">74“Let the earth bless the Lord;     let it sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 75Bless the Lord, mountains and hills;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 76Bless the Lord, all that grows in the ground;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 77Bless the Lord, you springs;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 78Bless the Lord, seas and rivers;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 79Bless the Lord, you whales and all that swim in the waters;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 80Bless the Lord, all birds of the air;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 81Bless the Lord, all wild animals and cattle;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.</div> <div class="poetry top-1">82“Bless the Lord, all people on earth;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 83Bless the Lord, O Israel;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 84Bless the Lord, you priests of the Lord;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 85Bless the Lord, you servants of the Lord;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 86Bless the Lord, spirits and souls of the righteous;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 87 Bless the Lord, you who are holy and humble in heart;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.</div> <div class="poetry top-1">88 “Bless the Lord, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael;     sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. For he has rescued us from Hades and saved us from the powerf</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote f">f</a>] of death,     and delivered us from the midst of the burning fiery furnace;     from the midst of the fire he has delivered us. 89 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,     for his mercy endures forever. 90 All who worship the Lord, bless the God of gods,     sing praise to him and give thanks to him,     for his mercy endures forever.”</div> 91 Hearing them sing, and amazed at seeing them alive, King Nebuchadnezzar rose up quickly. He said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O king.” 92 He replied, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god.”g</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote g">g</a>] 93 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 94 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men; the hair of their heads was not singed, their tunicsh</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote h">h</a>] were not harmed, and not even the smell of fire came from them. 95 Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They disobeyed the king’s command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. 96 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that utters blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins; for there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” 97 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. <A name="fen"></a><div class="footnotes"><h4>Footnotes</h4><ol><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 3:15">Daniel 3:15</a> Aram lacks well and good</li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 3:17">Daniel 3:17</a> Or If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, he will deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king.</li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 3:21">Daniel 3:21</a> Meaning of Aram word uncertain</li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 3:21">Daniel 3:21</a> Meaning of Aram word uncertain</li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 3:40">Daniel 3:40</a> Meaning of Gk uncertain</li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 3:88">Daniel 3:88</a> Gk hand</li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 3:92">Daniel 3:92</a> Aram a son of the gods</li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 3:94">Daniel 3:94</a> Meaning of Aram word uncertain</li></ol></div> </div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. 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