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.

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

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;

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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,

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Statimque in ipso tempore accedentes viri Chaldæi accusaverunt Judæos:

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

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

dixeruntque Nabuchodonosor regi: Rex, in æternum vive!

They wished long life to king Nabuchodonosor,

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:

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:

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,

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

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

on pain of being thrown into a raging furnace.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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?

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?

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?

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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;

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By some wondrous deliverance vindicate thy own renown;

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

et effundebatur flamma super fornacem cubitis quadraginta novem:

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

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

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

breaking out and burning such Chaldaeans as stood near it.

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,

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

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,

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.

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

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.

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

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

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:

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.

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, 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

bless him they should, the heavens,

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

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

and the waters above the heavens;

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

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

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

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

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

Bless him they should, sun and moon,

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

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

stars of heaven,

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

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

each drop of rain and moisture,

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

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

and all the winds of God.

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

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

Bless him they should, fire and heat,

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

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

winter cold and summer drought,

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

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

dew and rime at morning,

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

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

frost and the cold air.

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

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

Bless him they should, ice and snow,

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

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

day-time and night-time,

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

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

light and darkness,

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

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

lightnings and storm-clouds.

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

Benedicat terra Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in sæcula.

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

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

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

Bless the Lord they should, mountains and hills,

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

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

every growing thing that earth yields,

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

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

flowing fountains,

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

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

seas and rivers.

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

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

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

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

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

all the birds that fly in heaven,

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

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

wild beasts and tame,

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

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

and the sons of men.

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

Benedicat Israël Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in sæcula.

Bless him Israel should,

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

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

priests of the Lord bless him,

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

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

servants of the Lord bless him;

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

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

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

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

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

bless him they should, dedicated and humble hearts.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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,

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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;

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.