< Daniel 6 >

1 Now it pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom,
他認為更好在國內設立一百二十個總督,分治全國;
2 and over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss.
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。
3 Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
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。
4 Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
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。
5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel, unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”
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。」
6 So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever!
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!
7 All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions.
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。
8 Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
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。」
9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
達理阿遂簽署了這文告禁令。
10 Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
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。
11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God.
那些人群集前來,看見達尼爾正在自己的天主前祈求哀禱,
12 So they approached the king and asked about his royal decree: “Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days any man who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions?” The king replied, “According to the law of the Medes and Persians the order stands, and it cannot be repealed.”
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。」
13 Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.”
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。」
14 As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel, and he labored until sundown to rescue him.
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。
15 Then the men approached the king together and said to him, “Remember, O king, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or ordinance established by the king can be changed.”
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。」
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”
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! 」
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.
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。
18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him.
然後君王回了王宮,整夜絕食,斷絕娛樂,並徹夜失眠未睡。
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions.
清晨,天一亮,君王便起來,急速往獅子圈去了,
20 When he reached the den, he cried out in a voice of anguish, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
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﹖」
21 Then Daniel replied, “O king, may you live forever!
達尼爾遂對君王說:「大王萬歲!
22 My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”
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。」
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den, and when Daniel was lifted out of the den, no wounds whatsoever were found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
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。
24 At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
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。
25 Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: “May your prosperity abound.
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!
26 I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end.
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。
27 He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
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。」
28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
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。

< Daniel 6 >