但以理書 6
1 他認為更好在國內設立一百二十個總督，分治全國；
It pleased Darius to appoint over the kingdom 120 provincial governors who would rule over all the kingdom.
2 在這些總督之上另設三位監察史－達尼爾便是其中之一－各總督應向他們述職，這樣可免君王煩勞。
Over them there were three chief administrators, and Daniel was one of them. These chief administrators were appointed so that they might supervise the provincial governors, so that the king should suffer no loss.
3 這位達尼爾，由於他具有超凡的精神，辦事勝過其他監察史和總督，所以君王有意立他治理全國。
Daniel was distinguished above the other chief administrators and the provincial governors because he had an extraordinary spirit. The king was planning to put him over the whole kingdom.
4 因此監察史和總督，竭力在達尼爾處理國事上，尋找機會陷害他，卻總不能找到任何可控告他的事實和過失，因為達尼爾忠信可靠，所以在他身上總找不到任何疏忽和過錯。
Then the other chief administrators and the provincial governors looked for mistakes in the work Daniel did for the kingdom, but they could find no corruption or failure in his duty because he was faithful. No mistakes or negligence was found in him.
5 於是這些人說道：「我們若不在他的神的法律上尋找，就找不到陷害達尼爾的任何事。」
Then these men said, “We cannot find any reason to complain against this Daniel unless we find something against him regarding the law of his God.”
6 這些監察史和總督，便群集到君王前，對君王說：「達理阿大王，萬歲!
Then these administrators and governors brought a plan before the king. They said to him, “King Darius, may you live forever!
7 國內的眾監察史、知縣、總督、大臣和省長，都計議請下一道詔書，立一禁令：三十天內，凡不向你大王，而向任何神祇或任何人祈求的，應將他投入獅子圈內。
All the chief administrators of the kingdom, the regional governors, and the provincial governors, the advisors, and the governors have consulted together and decided that you, the king, should issue a decree and should enforce it, so that whoever makes a petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, king, that person must be thrown into the den of lions.
8 大王! 請你現在就立刻下這道禁令，簽署這項文告，人就不能再更改，因為按瑪待人和波斯人的法律，那是不可更改的。」
Now, King, issue a decree and sign the document so that it may not be changed, as directed by the laws of the Medes and Persians, so it cannot be repealed.”
9 達理阿遂簽署了這文告禁令。
So king Darius signed the document making the decree into a law.
10 達尼爾一知道君王簽署了這項文告，便回了家。他樓房的窗戶是向著耶路撒冷開的－他每天仍照常三次屈膝跪拜，祈求稱謝自己的天主，如往日所行的一樣。
When Daniel learned that the document had been signed into law, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his upper room toward Jerusalem), and he got down on his knees, as he did three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done before.
11 那些人群集前來，看見達尼爾正在自己的天主前祈求哀禱，
Then these men who had formed the plot together saw Daniel make requests and seek help from God.
12 他們遂去見君王，向他提及禁令說：「陛下不是簽署了這樣的一道禁令：三十天內，凡不向大王，而向任何神祇或任何人祈求的，應將他投入獅子圈內嗎﹖」君王回答說：「確有此事! 照瑪待人和波斯人的法律是不可更改的。」
Then they approached the king and spoke with him about his decree: “Did you not make a decree that everyone who makes a petition to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, king, must be throw into the den of lions?” The king answered, “The matter is settled, as directed by the law of the Medes and Persians; it cannot be repealed.”
13 他們便對君王說道：「大王! 猶大俘虜中的那個達尼爾，竟然不介意陛下和陛下所簽署的禁令，仍照常一日三次自作祈禱。」
Then they replied to the king, “That person Daniel, who is one of the people of the exile from Judah, pays no attention to you, king, or to the decree that you have signed. He prays to his God three times a day.”
14 君王聽了這些話，十分難過，有心要救達尼爾，君王直到日落要設法解救他。
When the king heard this, he was terribly distressed, and he applied his mind to rescue Daniel from this ruling. He labored until sunset to try to save Daniel.
15 但是那些人又群集到君王前，對君王說：「大王! 陛下要知道瑪待人和波斯人的法律：凡君王所立的禁令和法令，是不可更改的。」
Then these men who had formed the plot gathered together with the king and said to him, “Know, king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree or statute that the king issues can be changed.”
16 君王於是下令，將達尼爾逮捕投入獅子圈內。君王對達尼爾說：「願你恒心恭敬的天主拯救救你! 」
Then the king gave an order, and they brought in Daniel, and they threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you.”
17 遂即移了一塊大石，封住圈口，君王蓋上自己的御璽，大臣們蓋上自己的印章，免得達尼爾的案件發生意外的變化。
A stone was brought over the entrance to the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
18 然後君王回了王宮，整夜絕食，斷絕娛樂，並徹夜失眠未睡。
Then the king went to his palace and he went through the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him.
19 清晨，天一亮，君王便起來，急速往獅子圈去了，
Then at daybreak the king got up and he quickly went to the lions' den.
20 一來到獅子圈旁，就哀聲呼喊，向達尼爾說道：「永生天主的僕人達尼爾! 你恒心恭敬的天主真能由獅子口裏拯救你嗎﹖」
As he came near to the den, he called out to Daniel in a sad voice, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to save you from the lions?”
21 達尼爾遂對君王說：「大王萬歲!
Then said Daniel to the king, “King, live forever!
22 我的天主曾打發他的天使閉住獅子的口，一點沒有傷害我，因為我在他面前是無罪的；大王! 我即在陛下面前，也從沒有做過什麼傷害人的事。」
My God has sent his messenger and has shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me. For I was found blameless before him and also before you, king, and I have done you no harm.”
23 君王非常高興，遂下令將達尼爾從獅子圈裏提出來。達尼爾便從獅子圈裏被提出來，他身上絲毫沒有受到損傷，因為他信賴了自己的天主。
Then the king was very happy. He gave an order that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted up out of the den. No harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24 君王遂下令逮捕那些控告達尼爾的人，將他們和他們的兒子、妻子，都投入獅子圈裏，他們還沒有到獅子圈底，獅子就向他們撲來，捉住他們，將他們的骨頭全咬碎了。
The king gave an order, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel and threw them into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the floor, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones to pieces.
25 達理阿於是詔告居民於普世的各民族，各邦國及各異語人民說：「願平安常與你們同在!
Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that live in all the earth: “May peace increase for you.
26 我今頒發詔書，諭令我所統轄的全國人民，都應在達尼爾的天主前起敬起畏，因為他是生活永在的天主，他的國永不滅亡，他的王權永遠常存。
I hereby make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God and lives forever, and his kingdom shall not be destroyed; his dominion shall be to the end.
27 他拯救施援，在天上地下實行神蹟奇事；是他拯救達尼爾脫免獅子的爪牙。」
He makes us safe and rescues us, and he does signs and wonders in heaven and in earth; he has kept Daniel safe from the strength of the lions.”
28 這位達尼爾就這樣在達理阿和波斯人居魯士為王時，事事亨通。
So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and during the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
