1Der König Nebukadnezar ließ ein goldenes Bild machen sechzig Ellen hoch und sechs Ellen breit und ließ es aufrichten in der Ebene Dura im Lande Babel.2Und der König Nebukadnezar sandte nach den Fürsten, Würdenträgern, Statthaltern, Richtern, Schatzmeistern, Räten, Amtleuten und allen Mächtigen im Lande, dass sie zur Weihe des Bildes zusammenkommen sollten, das der König Nebukadnezar hatte aufrichten lassen.3Da kamen zusammen die Fürsten, Würdenträger, Statthalter, Richter, Schatzmeister, Räte, Amtleute und alle Mächtigen im Lande zur Weihe des Bildes, das der König Nebukadnezar hatte aufrichten lassen. Und sie stellten sich vor dem Bild auf, das Nebukadnezar hatte aufrichten lassen.4Und der Herold rief laut: Es wird euch befohlen, euch Völkern, Nationen und Sprachen:5Wenn ihr hören werdet den Klang des Horns, der Flöte, der Zither, der Harfe, der Leier, der Doppelflöte und aller andern Instrumente, dann sollt ihr niederfallen und das goldene Bild anbeten, das der König Nebukadnezar hat aufrichten lassen.6Wer aber dann nicht niederfällt und anbetet, der soll zu derselben Stunde in den glühenden Feuerofen geworfen werden.7Als sie nun den Klang des Horns, der Flöte, der Zither, der Harfe, der Leier und aller andern Instrumente hörten, fielen alle Völker, Nationen und Sprachen nieder und beteten an das goldene Bild, das der König Nebukadnezar hatte aufrichten lassen.8Da kamen einige chaldäische Männer und verklagten die Juden,9fingen an und sprachen zum König Nebukadnezar: Der König lebe ewig!10Du, König, hast ein Gebot ergehen lassen, dass alle Menschen niederfallen und das goldene Bild anbeten sollten, wenn sie den Klang des Horns, der Flöte, der Zither, der Harfe, der Leier und einer Doppelflöte und aller andern Instrumente hören würden; (Dan 6,13)11wer aber nicht niederfiele und anbetete, sollte in den glühenden Feuerofen geworfen werden.12Nun sind da judäische Männer, die du über die einzelnen Ämter im Lande Babel gesetzt hast, nämlich Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego; diese Männer verachten dich, o König! Sie ehren deinen Gott nicht und beten das goldene Bild nicht an, das du hast aufrichten lassen. (Dan 2,49)13Da befahl Nebukadnezar mit Grimm und Zorn, Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego vor ihn zu bringen. Und die Männer wurden vor den König gebracht.14Da fing Nebukadnezar an und sprach zu ihnen: Wie? Wollt ihr, Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego, meinen Gott nicht ehren und das goldene Bild nicht anbeten, das ich habe aufrichten lassen?15Wohlan, seid bereit! Sobald ihr den Klang des Horns, der Flöte, der Zither, der Harfe, der Leier und einer Doppelflöte und aller andern Instrumente hören werdet, so fallt nieder und betet das Bild an, das ich habe machen lassen! Werdet ihr’s aber nicht anbeten, dann sollt ihr zu derselben Stunde in den glühenden Feuerofen geworfen werden. Lasst sehen, wer der Gott ist, der euch aus meiner Hand erretten könnte! (2Mo 5,2; 2Kön 18,35)16Da fingen an Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego und sprachen zum König Nebukadnezar: Es ist nicht nötig, dass wir dir darauf antworten.17Siehe, unser Gott, den wir verehren, kann uns erretten aus dem glühenden Feuerofen, und auch aus deiner Hand, o König, kann er erretten. (5Mo 4,20; Ps 66,12)18Und wenn er’s nicht tut, so sollst du dennoch wissen, dass wir deinen Gott nicht ehren und das goldene Bild, das du hast aufrichten lassen, nicht anbeten werden. (2Mo 20,3)19Da wurde Nebukadnezar voll Grimm und der Ausdruck seines Angesichts veränderte sich gegenüber Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego, und er befahl, man sollte den Ofen siebenmal heißer machen, als man sonst zu tun pflegte.20Und er befahl den besten Kriegsleuten, die in seinem Heer waren, Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego zu binden und in den glühenden Feuerofen zu werfen.21Da wurden diese Männer in ihren Mänteln, Hosen, Hüten und andern Kleidern gebunden und in den glühenden Feuerofen geworfen.22Weil das Gebot des Königs so streng und der Ofen überaus heiß war, tötete die Feuerflamme die Männer, die Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego hinaufbrachten.23Aber die drei Männer, Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego, fielen hinab in den glühenden Feuerofen, gebunden wie sie waren.[1]24Da entsetzte sich der König Nebukadnezar, fuhr auf und sprach zu seinen Räten: Haben wir nicht drei Männer gebunden in das Feuer werfen lassen? Sie antworteten und sprachen zum König: Ja, König.25Er antwortete und sprach: Ich sehe aber vier Männer frei im Feuer umhergehen, und sie sind unversehrt; und der vierte sieht aus, als wäre er ein Sohn der Götter. (Jes 43,2)26Und Nebukadnezar trat vor die Tür des glühenden Feuerofens und sprach: Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego, ihr Knechte des höchsten Gottes, tretet heraus und kommt her! Da traten Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego heraus aus dem Feuer.27Und die Fürsten, Würdenträger, Statthalter und Räte des Königs kamen zusammen und sahen, dass das Feuer den Leibern dieser Männer nichts hatte anhaben können und ihr Haupthaar nicht versengt und ihre Mäntel nicht versehrt waren; ja, man konnte keinen Brand an ihnen riechen. (Hebr 11,33)28Da fing Nebukadnezar an und sprach: Gelobt sei der Gott Schadrachs, Meschachs und Abed-Negos, der seinen Engel gesandt und seine Knechte errettet hat, die ihm vertraut und des Königs Gebot nicht gehalten haben, sondern ihren Leib preisgaben; denn sie wollten keinen andern Gott verehren und anbeten als allein ihren Gott! (Dan 6,23)29So sei nun dies mein Gebot: Wer unter allen Völkern, Nationen und Sprachen den Gott Schadrachs, Meschachs und Abed-Negos lästert, der soll in Stücke gehauen und sein Haus zu einem Schutthaufen gemacht werden. Denn es gibt keinen andern Gott als den, der so erretten kann. (Dan 2,47)30Und der König gab Schadrach, Meschach und Abed-Nego größere Macht im Lande Babel.
Nebukadnezars Traum
31König Nebukadnezar allen Völkern, Nationen und Sprachen auf der ganzen Erde: Viel Friede zuvor!32Es gefällt mir, die Zeichen und Wunder zu verkünden, die der höchste Gott an mir getan hat.33Wie groß sind seine Zeichen und wie mächtig seine Wunder! Sein Reich ist ein ewiges Reich, und seine Herrschaft währet für und für. (Ps 145,13; Dan 2,44; Dan 7,14; Dan 7,27)
1King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits[1] and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. (1Mo 11,2; Dan 2,48; Dan 3,12; Dan 3,30)2Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Esr 8,36; Dan 2,48; Dan 3,27; Dan 6,1; Dan 6,3; Dan 6,6)3Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Dan 3,2)4And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, (Dan 3,29; Dan 4,1; Dan 4,14; Dan 5,7; Dan 5,19; Dan 6,25; Dan 7,14; Offb 5,9; Offb 18,2)5that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. (Dan 2,46; Dan 3,7; Dan 3,10; Dan 3,15)6And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” (Jer 29,22; Hes 23,25)7Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Dan 3,4)
The Fiery Furnace
8Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. (Dan 1,4; Dan 6,12)9They declared[2] to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever!10You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. (Dan 3,5; Dan 3,7; Dan 3,15; Dan 3,29; Dan 4,6; Dan 6,26)11And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. (Dan 3,6)12There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Dan 1,7; Dan 2,49; Dan 3,1; Dan 6,13)13Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. (Dan 2,12; Dan 3,12)14Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?15Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good.[3] But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” (2Mo 5,2; 2Kön 18,35; Dan 3,5; Dan 3,6; Dan 3,7; Dan 3,10; Dan 6,20)16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. (Dan 3,12)17If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.[4] (Dan 3,15)18But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”19Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. (Est 7,7; Dan 2,49; Dan 3,12; Dan 3,13)20And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. (Dan 3,12; Dan 3,24)21Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics,[5] their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. (Dan 3,20)22Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (Dan 1,7; Dan 2,15)23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. (Dan 3,20)24Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” (Dan 2,25; Dan 3,20; Dan 3,23; Dan 4,19; Dan 4,36; Dan 6,7)25He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (Hi 1,6; Jes 43,2; Dan 3,28; Dan 6,23)26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. (Dan 3,22; Dan 4,2; Dan 5,18; Dan 5,21)27And 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 cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. (Dan 3,2; Dan 3,21; Dan 3,24; Hebr 11,34)28Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside[6] the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. (2Mo 20,3; Ps 25,2; Ps 34,7; Dan 3,15; Dan 3,17; Dan 3,22; Dan 6,22)29Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” (Dan 2,5; Dan 3,4; Dan 3,10; Dan 3,22)30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. (Dan 2,48; Dan 3,1; Dan 3,12; Dan 3,22)
1King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,[1] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.2He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisors, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.3So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisors, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.4Then the herald loudly proclaimed, ‘Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do:5as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.6Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.’7Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshipped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.8At this time some astrologers[2] came forward and denounced the Jews.9They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, ‘May the king live for ever!10Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,11and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.12But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.’13Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,14and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?15Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?’16Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.17If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[3] from Your Majesty’s hand.18But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’19Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude towards them changed. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual20and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.21So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.22The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,23and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.24Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisors, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, Your Majesty.’25He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’26Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, ‘Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!’ So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,27and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisors crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.28Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.29Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.’30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3
King James Version
1Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.2Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.3Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.4Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,5That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:6And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.7Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.8Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.9They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.10Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:11And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.12There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.13Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.14Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well : but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.17If it be so , our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.19Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.20And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.21Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.22Therefore because the king' commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither . Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.27And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king' counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.28Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king' word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.29Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
1Le roi Nabuchodonosor fit faire une statue d’or de trente mètres de haut et de trois mètres de large. Il la fit ériger dans la plaine de Doura, dans la province de Babylone.2Puis il convoqua les satrapes, les préfets, les gouverneurs, les conseillers, les trésoriers, les juristes, les magistrats et tous les dirigeants des provinces, pour l’inauguration de la statue qu’il avait fait dresser[1].3Alors les satrapes, les préfets, les gouverneurs, les conseillers, les trésoriers, les juristes, les magistrats et tous les dirigeants des provinces s’assemblèrent pour l’inauguration de la statue que le roi Nabuchodonosor avait érigée et ils se tinrent debout face à la statue élevée par le roi.4Un héraut proclama à voix forte: A vous, hommes de tous peuples, nations et langues, on vous fait savoir5qu’au moment où vous entendrez le son du cor, du fifre, de la cithare, de la lyre, de la harpe, de la double flûte et de toutes sortes d’instruments de musique[2], vous vous prosternerez devant la statue d’or que le roi Nabuchodonosor a fait ériger, et vous l’adorerez.6Celui qui refusera de se prosterner devant elle et de l’adorer sera jeté aussitôt dans la fournaise où brûle un feu ardent.7C’est pourquoi au moment où tous les gens entendirent le son du cor, du fifre, de la cithare, de la lyre, de la harpe, et de toutes sortes d’instruments de musique, ces hommes de tous peuples, de toutes nations et de toutes langues se prosternèrent et adorèrent la statue d’or que le roi Nabuchodonosor avait fait ériger.
Refus de l’idolâtrie
8Sur ces entrefaites, certains astrologues vinrent porter des accusations contre les Juifs.9Ils s’adressèrent au roi Nabuchodonosor et lui dirent: Que le roi vive éternellement!10O roi, Sa Majesté a promulgué un édit ordonnant que tout homme se prosterne et adore la statue d’or dès qu’il entendrait le son du cor, du fifre, de la cithare, de la lyre, de la harpe, de la double flûte et de toutes sortes d’instruments de musique.11Cet édit précise que quiconque refusera de se prosterner et d’adorer la statue sera jeté dans la fournaise où brûle un feu ardent.12Or, il y a des hommes de Juda auxquels tu as confié l’administration de la province de Babylone, à savoir Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego: ces hommes-là ne t’ont pas obéi, ô roi; ils n’adorent pas tes dieux et ne se prosternent pas devant la statue d’or que tu as fait ériger.13Alors Nabuchodonosor s’irrita et entra dans une grande colère; il ordonna de faire venir Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego. On les amena donc devant le roi.14Celui-ci prit la parole et leur demanda: Est-il vrai, Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego, que vous n’adorez pas mes dieux et que vous ne vous prosternez pas devant la statue d’or que j’ai érigée?15Maintenant, si vous êtes prêts, au moment où vous entendrez le son du cor, du fifre, de la cithare, de la lyre, de la harpe, de la double flûte et de toutes sortes d’instruments de musique, prosternez-vous et adorez la statue que j’ai faite. Si vous refusez de l’adorer, vous serez jetés aussitôt dans la fournaise où brûle un feu ardent. Et quel est le dieu qui pourrait alors vous délivrer de mes mains?16Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego répondirent au roi: O Nabuchodonosor, il n’est pas nécessaire de te répondre sur ce point.17Si le Dieu que nous servons peut nous délivrer de la fournaise où brûle un feu ardent, ainsi que de tes mains, ô roi, qu’il nous délivre!18Mais même s’il ne le fait pas, sache bien, ô roi, que nous n’adorerons pas tes dieux et que nous ne nous prosternerons pas devant la statue d’or que tu as fait ériger.19Alors Nabuchodonosor fut rempli de fureur contre Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego, et son visage devint blême. Il reprit la parole et ordonna de chauffer la fournaise sept fois plus que d’habitude.20Puis il commanda à quelques soldats vigoureux de sa garde, de ligoter Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego et de les jeter dans la fournaise ardemment chauffée.21Aussitôt les trois hommes furent ligotés tout habillés avec leurs pantalons, leurs tuniques et leurs turbans[3], et jetés dans la fournaise où brûlait un feu ardent.22Mais comme, sur l’ordre du roi, on avait fait chauffer la fournaise au maximum, les flammes qui en jaillissaient firent périr les soldats qui y avaient jeté Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego.23Quant à Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego, ils tombèrent tous les trois ligotés au milieu de la fournaise où brûlait un feu ardent.
Dieu intervient
24C’est alors que le roi Nabuchodonosor fut saisi de stupeur; il se leva précipitamment et, s’adressant à ses conseillers, il demanda: N’avons-nous pas jeté trois hommes tout ligotés dans le feu? Ils répondirent au roi: Bien sûr, Majesté.25– Eh bien, reprit le roi, je vois quatre hommes sans liens qui marchent au milieu du feu sans subir aucun dommage corporel; et le quatrième a l’aspect d’un fils des dieux.26Puis Nabuchodonosor s’approcha de la porte de la fournaise où brûlait un feu ardent et se mit à crier: Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego, serviteurs du Dieu très-haut, sortez de là et venez ici! Alors, Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego sortirent du milieu du feu.27Les satrapes, les préfets, les gouverneurs et les conseillers du roi se rassemblèrent autour de ces hommes: ils constatèrent que le feu n’avait eu aucun effet sur leurs corps, qu’aucun cheveu de leur tête n’avait été brûlé, que leurs vêtements n’avaient pas été endommagés et qu’ils ne sentaient même pas l’odeur du feu.28Alors Nabuchodonosor s’écria: Loué soit le Dieu de Shadrak, de Méshak et d’Abed-Nego, qui a envoyé son ange pour délivrer ses serviteurs qui se sont confiés en lui et qui ont désobéi à mon ordre. Ils ont préféré risquer leur vie plutôt que de se prosterner et d’adorer un autre dieu que le leur.29Voici donc ce que je décrète: Tout homme – de quelque peuple, nation ou langue qu’il soit – qui parlera d’une manière irrespectueuse du Dieu de Shadrak, de Méshak et d’Abed-Nego sera mis en pièces et sa maison sera réduite en un tas de décombres, parce qu’il n’existe pas d’autre Dieu qui puisse sauver ainsi les hommes.30Ensuite le roi fit prospérer Shadrak, Méshak et Abed-Nego dans la province de Babylone.
Le rêve du grand arbre
31Le roi Nabuchodonosor adresse ce message à tous les peuples, à toutes les nations et aux gens de toutes langues qui habitent la terre entière: Que votre paix soit grande!32Il m’a paru bon de vous faire connaître les signes extraordinaires et les prodiges que le Dieu très-haut a accomplis envers moi.33« Que ses signes extraordinaires sont grands et ses prodiges éclatants! Son règne est un règne éternel et sa domination ╵subsiste d’âge en âge. »