Nabuchodonosor rex fecit statuam auream, altitudine cubitorum sexaginta, latitudine cubitorum sex, et statuit eam in campo Dura, provinciæ Babylonis.

King Nabuchodonosor made a statue of gold, of sixty cubits high, and six cubits broad, and he set it up in the plain of Dura of the province of Babylon.

It was this king Nabuchodonosor made a golden image, sixty cubits high and six cubits broad, which he set up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon;

Itaque Nabuchodonosor rex misit ad congregandos satrapas, magistratus, et judices, duces, et tyrannos, et præfectos, omnesque principes regionum, ut convenirent ad dedicationem statuæ quam erexerat Nabuchodonosor rex.

Then Nabuchodonosor the king sent to call together the nobles, the magistrates, and the judges, the captains, the rulers, and governors, and all the chief men of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up.

and word went round in king Nabuchodonosor’s name, summoning all the governors, magistrates, judges, chieftains, rulers, prefects and leading men from every part of his dominions, to be present at the dedication of the image king Nabuchodonosor had set up.

Tunc congregati sunt satrapæ, magistratus, et judices, duces, et tyranni, et optimates, qui erant in potestatibus constituti, et universi principes regionum, ut convenirent ad dedicationem statuæ, quam erexerat Nabuchodonosor rex. Stabant autem in conspectu statuæ, quam posuerat Nabuchodonosor rex:

Then the nobles, the magistrates, and the judges, the captains, and rulers, and the great men that were placed in authority, and all the princes of the provinces, were gathered together to come to the dedication of the statue, which king Nabuchodonosor had set up. And they stood before the statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up.

So they gathered there, governors, magistrates, judges, chieftains, rulers, noblemen in high office, and leading men from every part, for the dedication of king Nabuchodonosor’s image. And, as they stood before the image he had set up,

et præco clamabat valenter: Vobis dicitur populis, tribubus, et linguis:

Then a herald cried with a strong voice: To you it is commanded, O nations, tribes, and languages:

a herald cried lustily to men of all peoples, nations and languages:

in hora qua audieritis sonitum tubæ, et fistulæ, et citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, et universi generis musicorum, cadentes adorate statuam auream, quam constituit Nabuchodonosor rex.

That in the hour that you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, and of the flute, and of the harp, of the sackbut, and of the psaltery, and of the symphony, and of all kind of music; ye fall down and adore the golden statue which king Nabuchodonosor hath set up.

As soon as you hear the sound of horn, flute, harp, zither, dulcimer, pipe and other instruments of music, you are to fall down and worship the image of gold which king Nabuchodonosor has set up.

Si quis autem non prostratus adoraverit, eadem hora mittetur in fornacem ignis ardentis.

But if any man shall not fall down and adore, he shall the same hour be cast into a furnace of burning fire.

Whoever does not fall down in worship will be thrown, there and then, into the heart of a raging furnace.

Post hæc igitur, statim ut audierunt omnes populi sonitum tubæ, fistulæ, et citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, et omnis generis musicorum, cadentes omnes populi, tribus, et linguæ adoraverunt statuam auream, quam constituerat Nabuchodonosor rex.

Upon this therefore, at the time when all the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the flute, and the harp, of the sackbut, and the psaltery, of the symphony, and of all kind of music: all the nations, tribes, and languages fell down and adored the golden statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up.

No sooner, then, did the sound of horn, flute, harp, zither, dulcimer, pipe and the rest reach the assembly than all of them, whatever their tribe, people or language, fell down in worship of king Nabuchodonosor’s image.

Statimque in ipso tempore accedentes viri Chaldæi accusaverunt Judæos:

And presently at that very time some Chaldeans came and accused the Jews,

It was then that certain Chaldaeans came forward with malicious accusations against the Jews.

dixeruntque Nabuchodonosor regi: Rex, in æternum vive!

And said to king Nabuchodonosor: O king, live for ever:

They wished long life to king Nabuchodonosor,

tu, rex, posuisti decretum, ut omnis homo, qui audierit sonitum tubæ, fistulæ, et citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, et universi generis musicorum, prosternat se, et adoret statuam auream:

Thou, O king, hast made a decree that every man that shall hear the sound of the trumpet, the flute, and the harp, of the sackbut, and the psaltery, of the symphony, and of all kind of music, shall prostrate himself, and adore the golden statue:

and said, Lord King, thy command was that all men, at the sound of horn, flute, harp, zither, dulcimer, pipe and the rest, should fall down and worship the golden image,

si quis autem non procidens adoraverit, mittatur in fornacem ignis ardentis.

And that if any man shall not fall down and adore, he should be cast into a furnace of burning fire.

on pain of being thrown into a raging furnace.

Sunt ergo viri Judæi, quos constituisti super opera regionis Babylonis, Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago: viri isti contempserunt, rex, decretum tuum: deos tuos non colunt, et statuam auream, quam erexisti, non adorant.

Now there are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the works of the province of Babylon, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago: these men, O king, have slighted thy decree: they worship not thy gods, nor do they adore the golden statue which thou hast set up.

And here are certain Jews, entrusted by thee with the affairs of Babylon province, to wit, Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, who have set the royal command at defiance, and will not reverence thy gods, or worship the golden image thou hast set up.

Tunc Nabuchodonosor, in furore et in ira, præcepit ut adducerentur Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago: qui confestim adducti sunt in conspectu regis.

Then Nabuchodonosor in fury, and in wrath, commanded that Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago should be brought: who immediately were brought before the king.

Upon this, in a transport of rage, Nabuchodonosor sent for Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago; and when they were brought, without delay, into his presence,

Pronuntiansque Nabuchodonosor rex, ait eis: Verene Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, deos meos non colitis, et statuam auream, quam constitui, non adoratis?

And Nabuchodonosor the king spoke to them, and said: Is it true, O Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, that you do not worship my gods, nor adore the golden statue that I have set up?

this was the threat king Nabuchodonosor uttered: So Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago will not reverence my gods, or worship this golden image of mine?

nunc ergo si estis parati, quacumque hora audieritis sonitum tubæ, fistulæ, citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, omnisque generis musicorum, prosternite vos, et adorate statuam, quam feci: quod si non adoraveritis, eadem hora mittemini in fornacem ignis ardentis: et quis est Deus, qui eripiet vos de manu mea?

Now therefore if you be ready at what hour soever you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, harp, sackbut, and psaltery, and symphony, and of all kind of music, prostrate yourselves, and adore the statue which I have made: but if you do not adore, you shall be cast the same hour into the furnace of burning fire: and who is the God that shall deliver you out of my hand?

Here is your choice, then; either you will fall down and worship this image of mine when the sound of horn, flute, harp, zither, dulcimer, pipe and the other music reaches you, or then and there you shall be thrown into a raging furnace. You are in my power; what God can deliver you?

Respondentes Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, dixerunt regi Nabuchodonosor: Non oportet nos de hac re respondere tibi.

Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago answered and said to king Nabuchodonosor: We have no occasion to answer thee concerning this matter.

Then Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago said to king Nabuchodonosor, There is no need for any answer of ours to that question;

Ecce enim Deus noster, quem colimus, potest eripere nos de camino ignis ardentis, et de manibus tuis, o rex, liberare.

For behold our God, whom we worship, is able to save us from the furnace of burning fire, and to deliver us out of thy hands, O king.

thou wilt see for thyself whether the God we worship is able to rescue us from the raging fire, and from thy royal power.

Quod si noluerit, notum sit tibi, rex, quia deos tuos non colimus, et statuam auream, quam erexisti, non adoramus.

But if he will not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not worship thy gods, nor adore the golden statue which thou hast set up.

But, whether he rescues us or no, be assured, sir king, here are men who do not reverence thy gods, or worship any image of thine.

Tunc Nabuchodonosor repletus est furore, et aspectus faciei illius immutatus est super Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago: et præcepit ut succenderetur fornax septuplum quam succendi consueverat.

Then was Nabuchodonosor filled with fury: and the countenance of his face was changed against Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and he commanded that the furnace should be heated seven times more than it had been accustomed to be heated.

At this, Nabuchodonosor fell into a rage; his features, as he glared at Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, were distorted with fury. He would have the furnace heated seven times hotter than its wont;

Et viris fortissimis de exercitu suo jussit ut ligatis pedibus Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, mitterent eos in fornacem ignis ardentis.

And he commanded the strongest men that were in his army, to bind the feet of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and to cast them into the furnace of burning fire.

and into this raging furnace he bade the most stalwart of his fighting men throw Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago with their feet tied together.

Et confestim viri illi vincti, cum braccis suis, et tiaris, et calceamentis, et vestibus, missi sunt in medium fornacis ignis ardentis:

And immediately these men were bound and were cast into the furnace of burning fire, with their coats, and their caps, and their shoes, and their garments.

So they were bound just as they were, in breeches and turban, shoes and coat, and thrown into the heart of the raging furnace;

nam jussio regis urgebat. Fornax autem succensa erat nimis: porro viros illos, qui miserant Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, interfecit flamma ignis.

For the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace was heated exceedingly. And the flame of the fire slew those men that had cast in Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago.

the king’s order admitted no delay. So fiercely was the furnace heated that those who threw them in were burned to death.

Viri autem hi tres, id est, Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, ceciderunt in medio camino ignis ardentis, colligati.

But these three men, that is, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, fell down bound in the midst of the furnace of burning fire.

Meanwhile these three, Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, fell fast bound into the heart of the fires that raged in it.

Et ambulabant in medio flammæ, laudantes Deum, et benedicentes Domino.

And they walked in the midst of the flame, praising God and blessing the Lord.

And there, in the hottest of the flames, they walked to and fro, singing to God their praises, blessing the Lord.

Stans autem Azarias oravit sic, aperiensque os suum in medio ignis, ait:

Then Azarias standing up prayed in this manner, and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said:

There, as he stood in the heart of the fire, Azarias found utterance, and thus made his prayer:

Benedictus es, Domine Deus patrum nostrorum, et laudabile, et gloriosum nomen tuum in sæcula:

Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and thy name is worthy of praise, and glorious for ever:

Blessed art thou, Lord God of our fathers, renowned and glorious is thy name for ever!

quia justus es in omnibus, quæ fecisti nobis, et universa opera tua vera, et viæ tuæ rectæ, et omnia judicia tua vera.

For thou art just in all that thou hast done to us, and all thy works are true, and thy ways right, and all thy judgments true.

In all thy dealings with us, thou hast right on thy side; so true to thy promises, so unswerving in thy course, so just in thy awards!

Judicia enim vera fecisti juxta omnia, quæ induxisti super nos, et super civitatem sanctam patrum nostrorum Jerusalem: quia in veritate et in judicio induxisti omnia hæc propter peccata nostra.

For thou hast executed true judgments in all the things that thou hast brought upon us, and upon Jerusalem the holy city of our fathers: for according to truth and judgment, thou hast brought all these things upon us for our sins.

No punishment thou hast inflicted upon us, or upon Jerusalem, holy city of our fathers, but was deserved; for sins of ours, faithfulness and justice that stroke laid on.

Peccavimus enim, et inique egimus recedentes a te, et deliquimus in omnibus:

For we have sinned, and committed iniquity, departing from thee: and we have trespassed in all things:

Sinners we were, that had wronged and forsaken thee, all was amiss with us;

et præcepta tua non audivimus, nec observavimus, nec fecimus sicut præceperas nobis ut bene nobis esset.

And we have not hearkened to thy commandments, nor have we observed nor done as thou hadst commanded us, that it might go well with us.

unheard thy commandments, or else unheeded, thy will neglected, and with it, our own well-being!

Omnia ergo, quæ induxisti super nos, et universa quæ fecisti nobis, in vero judicio fecisti;

Wherefore all that thou hast brought upon us, and every thing that thou hast done to us, thou hast done in true judgment:

Nothing we had not deserved, pillage of thy contriving, plague of thy sending,

et tradidisti nos in manibus inimicorum nostrorum iniquorum, et pessimorum, prævaricatorumque, et regi injusto, et pessimo ultra omnem terram.

And thou hast delivered us into the hands of our enemies that are unjust, and most wicked, and prevaricators, and to a king unjust, and most wicked beyond all that are upon the earth.

and at last the foul domination of godless foes, of a tyrant that has no equal on earth!

Et nunc non possumus aperire os: confusio, et opprobrium facti sumus servis tuis, et his qui colunt te.

And now we cannot open our mouths: we are become a shame and reproach to thy servants, and to them that worship thee.

Tongue-tied we stand, that have brought disgrace on the livery of thy true worship.

Ne, quæsumus, tradas nos in perpetuum propter nomen tuum, et ne dissipes testamentum tuum:

Deliver us not up for ever, we beseech thee, for thy name’s sake, and abolish not thy covenant.

For thy own honour, we entreat thee not to abandon us eternally. Do not annul thy covenant, and deprive us of thy mercy.

neque auferas misericordiam tuam a nobis, propter Abraham, dilectum tuum, et Isaac, servum tuum, et Israël, sanctum tuum,

And take not away thy mercy from us for the sake of Abraham thy beloved, and Isaac thy servant, and Israel thy holy one:

Think of Abraham that was thy friend, of thy servant Isaac, of Jacob whom thou didst set apart for thyself;

quibus locutus es pollicens quod multiplicares semen eorum sicut stellas cæli, et sicut arenam quæ est in littore maris;

To whom thou hast spoken, promising that thou wouldst multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is on the sea shore.

the men to whom thou didst promise that thou wouldst increase their posterity, till it was countless as the stars in heaven, or the sand by the sea-shore.

quia, Domine, imminuti sumus plus quam omnes gentes, sumusque humiles in universa terra hodie propter peccata nostra.

For we, O Lord, are diminished more than any nation, and are brought low in all the earth this day for our sins.

Whereas now, Lord, we are of all nations the most insignificant; all the world over, men see us humbled for our sins.

Et non est in tempore hoc princeps, et dux, et propheta, neque holocaustum, neque sacrificium, neque oblatio, neque incensum, neque locus primitiarum coram te,

Neither is there at this time prince, or leader, or prophet, or holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of firstfruits before thee,

In these days we are without prince or leader or prophet, we have no burnt-sacrifice, no victim, no offering; for us no incense burns, no first-fruits can be brought into thy presence

ut possimus invenire misericordiam tuam, sed in animo contrito, et spiritu humilitatis suscipiamur.

That we may find thy mercy: nevertheless in a contrite heart and humble spirit let us be accepted.

and win thy favour. But oh, accept us still, hearts that are crushed, spirits bowed down by adversity;

Sicut in holocausto arietum, et taurorum, et sicut in millibus agnorum pinguium, sic fiat sacrificium nostrum in conspectu tuo hodie, ut placeat tibi, quoniam non est confusio confidentibus in te.

As in holocausts of rams, and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be made in thy sight this day, that it may please thee: for there is no confusion to them that trust in thee.

look kindly on the sacrifice we offer thee this day, as it had been burnt-sacrifice of rams and bullocks, thousands of fattened lambs; who ever trusted in thee and was disappointed?

Et nunc sequimur te in toto corde; et timemus te, et quærimus faciem tuam.

And now we follow thee with all our heart, and we fear thee, and seek thy face.

With all our hearts, now, we choose thy will, we reverence thee, we long after thy presence;

Nec confundas nos, sed fac nobiscum juxta mansuetudinem tuam, et secundum multitudinem misericordiæ tuæ.

Put us not to confusion, but deal with us according to thy meekness, and according to the multitude of thy mercies.

for that clemency, that abundant mercy of thine must we hope in vain?

Et erue nos in mirabilibus tuis, et da gloriam nomini tuo, Domine;

And deliver us according to thy wonderful works, and give glory to thy name, O Lord:

By some wondrous deliverance vindicate thy own renown;

et confundantur omnes qui ostendunt servis tuis mala: confundantur in omni potentia tua, et robur eorum conteratur:

And let all them be confounded that shew evils to thy servants, let them be confounded in all thy might, and let their strength be broken.

theirs be the vain hope, that would do thy servants an injury. Fools, that would match themselves with omnipotence! Crush down their might;

et sciant quia tu es Dominus Deus solus, et gloriosus super orbem terrarum.

And let them know that thou art the Lord, the only God, and glorious over all the world.

teach them that in all the world Lord there is none, God there is none, glorified as thou.

Et non cessabant qui miserant eos ministri regis succendere fornacem, naphtha, et stuppa, et pice, et malleolis,

Now the king’s servants that had cast them in, ceased not to heat the furnace with brimstone, and tow, and pitch, and dry sticks,

Meanwhile, their tormentors were not idle; naphtha and tow, pitch and tinder must be heaped on the furnace,

et effundebatur flamma super fornacem cubitis quadraginta novem:

And the flame mounted up above the furnace nine and forty cubits:

till the flame rose forty-nine cubits above the furnace itself,

et erupit, et incendit quos reperit juxta fornacem de Chaldæis.

And it broke forth, and burnt such of the Chaldeans as it found near the furnace.

breaking out and burning such Chaldaeans as stood near it.

Angelus autem Domini descendit cum Azaria, et sociis ejus in fornacem: et excussit flammam ignis de fornace,

But the angel of the Lord went down with Azarias and his companions into the furnace: and he drove the flame of the fire out of the furnace,

But an angel of the Lord had gone down into the furnace with Azarias and his companions; and he drove the flames away from it,

et fecit medium fornacis quasi ventum roris flantem, et non tetigit eos omnino ignis, neque contristavit, nec quidquam molestiæ intulit.

And made the midst of the furnace like the blowing of a wind bringing dew, and the fire touched them not at all, nor troubled them, nor did them any harm.

making a wind blow in the heart of the furnace, like the wind that brings the dew. So that these three were untouched, and the fire brought them neither pain nor discomfort.

Tunc hi tres quasi ex uno ore laudabant, et glorificabant, et benedicebant Deum in fornace, dicentes:

Then these three as with one mouth praised, and glorified, and blessed God in the furnace, saying:

Whereupon all of them, as with one mouth, began to give praise and glory and blessing to God, there in the furnace, in these words that follow:

Benedictus es, Domine Deus patrum nostrorum: et laudabilis, et gloriosus, et superexaltatus in sæcula. Et benedictum nomen gloriæ tuæ sanctum: et laudabile, et superexaltatum in omnibus sæculis.

Blessed art thou, O Lord the God of our fathers: and worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever: and blessed is the holy name of thy glory: and worthy to be praised, and exalted above all in all ages.

Blessed art thou, Lord God of our fathers, praised above all, renowned above all for ever; blessed is thy holy and glorious name, praised above all, renowned above all for ever.

Benedictus es in templo sancto gloriæ tuæ: et superlaudabilis, et supergloriosus in sæcula.

Blessed art thou in the holy temple of thy glory: and exceedingly to be praised, and exceeding glorious for ever.

Blessed art thou, whose glory fills thy holy temple, praised above all, renowned above all for ever;

Benedictus es in throno regni tui: et superlaudabilis, et superexaltatus in sæcula.

Blessed art thou on the throne of thy Kingdom, and exceedingly to be praised, and exalted above all for ever.

blessed art thou, who reignest on thy kingly throne, praised above all, renowned above all for ever.

Benedictus es, qui intueris abyssos, et sedes super cherubim: et laudabilis, et superexaltatus in sæcula.

Blessed art thou, that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and worthy to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed art thou, who art throned above the cherubim, and gazest down into the depths, praised above all, renowned above all for ever.

Benedictus es in firmamento cæli: et laudabilis et gloriosus in sæcula.

Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: and worthy of praise, and glorious for ever.

Blessed art thou, high in the vault of heaven, praised above all, renowned above all for ever.

Benedicite, omnia opera Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Then they cried out upon all things the Lord had made, to bless him, and praise him, and extol his name for ever.

Benedicite, angeli Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless the Lord they should, the Lord’s angels;

Benedicite, cæli, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

bless him they should, the heavens,

Benedicite, aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

and the waters above the heavens;

Benedicite, omnes virtutes Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

bless him they should, all the Lord’s powers.

Benedicite, sol et luna, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless him they should, sun and moon,

Benedicite, stellæ cæli, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

stars of heaven,

Benedicite, omnis imber et ros, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

each drop of rain and moisture,

Benedicite, omnes spiritus Dei, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

and all the winds of God.

Benedicite, ignis et æstus, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless him they should, fire and heat,

Benedicite, frigus et æstus, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

winter cold and summer drought,

Benedicite, rores et pruina, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

dew and rime at morning,

Benedicite, gelu et frigus, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

frost and the cold air.

Benedicite, glacies et nives, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless him they should, ice and snow,

Benedicite, noctes et dies, Domino laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye nights and days, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

day-time and night-time,

Benedicite, lux et tenebræ, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

light and darkness,

Benedicite, fulgura et nubes, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

lightnings and storm-clouds.

Benedicat terra Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in sæcula.

O let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt him above all for ever.

And earth in its turn should bless the Lord, praise him, and extol his name for ever.

Benedicite, montes et colles, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless the Lord they should, mountains and hills,

Benedicite, universa germinantia in terra, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

every growing thing that earth yields,

Benedicite, fontes, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye fountains, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

flowing fountains,

Benedicite, maria et flumina, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

seas and rivers.

Benedicite, cete, et omnia quæ moventur in aquis, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless him they should, sea-monsters and all life that is bred in the waters,

Benedicite, omnes volucres cæli, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

all the birds that fly in heaven,

Benedicite, omnes bestiæ et pecora, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

wild beasts and tame,

Benedicite, filii hominum, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye sons of men, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

and the sons of men.

Benedicat Israël Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in sæcula.

O let Israel bless the Lord: let them praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless him Israel should,

Benedicite, sacerdotes Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

priests of the Lord bless him,

Benedicite, servi Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

servants of the Lord bless him;

Benedicite, spiritus et animæ justorum, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

bless him they should, spirits and souls of all faithful men;

Benedicite, sancti et humiles corde, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

bless him they should, dedicated and humble hearts.

Benedicite, Anania, Azaria, Misaël, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula: quia eruit nos de inferno, et salvos fecit de manu mortis: et liberavit nos de medio ardentis flammæ, et de medio ignis eruit nos.

O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. For he hath delivered us from hell, and saved us out of the hand of death, and delivered us out of the midst of the burning flame, and saved us out of the midst of the fire.

And for Ananias, Azarias and Misael, well might they bless the Lord, praise him and extol his name for ever; here was the grave spoiled, death robbed of its prey, and ever they were kept safe from the furnace, let its flames rage as they would.

Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus: quoniam in sæculum misericordia ejus.

O give thanks to the Lord, because he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever and ever.

Give thanks to the Lord, they cried, the Lord is gracious; his mercy is eternal!

Benedicite, omnes religiosi, Domino Deo deorum: laudate et confitemini ei, quia in omnia sæcula misericordia ejus.

O all ye religious, bless the Lord the God of gods: praise him and give him thanks, because his mercy endureth for ever and ever.

Bless the Lord, you that are his worshippers; he is God above all gods; praise him and give him thanks, whose mercy is eternal.

Tunc Nabuchodonosor rex obstupuit, et surrexit propere, et ait optimatibus suis: Nonne tres viros misimus in medium ignis compeditos? Qui respondentes regi, dixerunt: Vere, rex.

Then Nabuchodonosor the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and said to his nobles: Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered the king, and said: True, O king.

Sore amazed was king Nabuchodonosor, and started to his feet; Tell me, he said to his courtiers, did we not cast three men into yonder furnace, all closely bound? And when they answered, Sire, past doubt,

Respondit, et ait: Ecce ego video quatuor viros solutos, et ambulantes in medio ignis, et nihil corruptionis in eis est, et species quarti similis filio Dei.

He answered, and said: Behold I see four men loose, and walking in the midst of the fire, and there is no hurt in them, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

he told them what he had seen; here were four men, that bonds wore none, walking to and fro in the heart of the fire, and never the worse. And such an aspect he wore, the fourth of them, as it had been a son of God.

Tunc accessit Nabuchodonosor ad ostium fornacis ignis ardentis, et ait: Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, servi Dei excelsi, egredimini, et venite. Statimque egressi sunt Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago de medio ignis.

Then Nabuchodonosor came to the door of the burning fiery furnace, and said: Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, ye servants of the most high God, go ye forth, and come. And immediately Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago went out from the midst of the fire.

With that, close went Nabuchodonosor to the furnace door, and cried, Come forth, Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago! Servants of the most high God, come out to me! So out came Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, from the fire’s heart all of them;

Et congregati satrapæ, et magistratus, et judices, et potentes regis contemplabantur viros illos, quoniam nihil potestatis habuisset ignis in corporibus eorum, et capillus capitis eorum non esset adustus, et sarabala eorum non fuissent immutata, et odor ignis non transisset per eos.

And the nobles, and the magistrates, and the judges, and the great men of the king being gathered together, considered these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies, and that not a hair of their head had been singed, nor their garments altered, nor the smell of the fire had passed on them.

and with one accord governor and judge and courtier clustered round them to look. Plain it was, the heat had no power over them; never a hair singed, nor a coat shrivelled, nor any smell of burning marked its passage.

Et erumpens Nabuchodonosor, ait: Benedictus Deus eorum, Sidrach videlicet, Misach, et Abdenago: qui misit angelum suum, et eruit servos suos, qui crediderunt in eum: et verbum regis immutaverunt, et tradiderunt corpora sua ne servirent, et ne adorarent omnem deum, excepto Deo suo.

Then Nabuchodonosor breaking forth, said: Blessed be the God of them, to wit, of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that believed in him: and they changed the king’s word, and delivered up their bodies that they might not serve, nor adore any god, except their own God.

And at that, Nabuchodonosor could contain himself no longer; Blessed be this God whom Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago worship! Here were servants of his that trusted in him, and defied a king’s edict, ready to put their lives in peril, so they might be free men, worshipping no God but their own; and he has sent an angel to deliver them.

A me ergo positum est hoc decretum: ut omnis populus, tribus, et lingua, quæcumque locuta fuerit blasphemiam contra Deum Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago, dispereat, et domus ejus vastetur: neque enim est alius deus, qui possit ita salvare.

By me therefore this decree is made, that every people, tribe, and tongue, which shall speak blasphemy against the God of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, shall be destroyed, and their houses laid waste: for there is no other God that can save in this manner.

Hereby, then, I enact that if anyone blasphemes against the God of Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, come he of what people, what tribe, what race he may, he shall pay for it with his life, and his house be put to public use. God there is no other that can grant such deliverance as this!

Tunc rex promovit Sidrach, Misach, et Abdenago in provincia Babylonis.

Then the king promoted Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, in the province of Babylon.

And be sure he promoted them to high rank in Babylon province.

Nabuchodonosor rex, omnibus populis, gentibus, et linguis, qui habitant in universa terra, pax vobis multiplicetur.

Nabuchodonosor the king, to all peoples, nations, and tongues, that dwell in all the earth, peace be multiplied unto you.

King Nabuchodonosor to men of every race, tribe and tongue, dwell they where they will, all health!

Signa, et mirabilia fecit apud me Deus excelsus. Placuit ergo mihi prædicare

The most high God hath wrought signs and wonders towards me. It hath seemed good to me, therefore to publish

Here be wondrous portents the most high God has been manifesting, and in my person.

signa ejus, quia magna sunt: et mirabilia ejus, quia fortia: et regnum ejus regnum sempiternum, et potestas ejus in generationem et generationem.

His signs, because they are great: and his wonders, because they are mighty: and his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his power to all generations.

And my will is to make them known, portents most weighty, wonders most compelling; such a reign as his lasts for ever, such power as his the ages cannot diminish.