< Daniel 6 >
1 And it pleased Darius, and he set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, to be in all his 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 governors, of whom one was, Daniel; for the satraps to give account to them, that the king should not be troubled.
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 And Daniel was over them, for [there was] an excellent spirit in him; and the king set him over all his 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 Then the governors and satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel; but they found against him no occasion, nor trespass, nor error, because he was faithful.
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 And the governors said, We shall not find occasion against Daniel, except in the ordinances 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 Then the governors and satraps stood by the king, and said to him, King Darius, live for ever.
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 who preside over your kingdom, captains and satraps, chiefs and local governors, have taken counsel together, to establish by a royal statue and to confirm a decree, that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of you, O king, shall be cast 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 Now then, O king, establish the decree, and publish a writ, that the decree of the Persians and Medes be not changed.
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 Then king Darius commanded the decree to be written.
達理阿遂簽署了這文告禁令。
10 And when Daniel knew that the decree was ordered, he went into his house; and his windows were opened in his chambers towards Jerusalem, and three times in the day he knelt upon his knees, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he used to do 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 watched, and found Daniel praying and supplicating to 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 And they came and said to the king, O king, has you not made a decree, that whatever man shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, but of you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? And the king said, The word is true, and the decree of the Medes and Persians shall not pass.
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 answered and said before the king, Daniel of the children of the captivity of Judea, has not submitted to your decree; and three times in the day he makes his requests of his God.
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 Then the king, when he heard the saying, was much grieved for Daniel and he greatly exerted himself for Daniel to deliver him: and he exerted himself till evening to deliver 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 those men said to the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is that we must not change any decree of statue which the king shall make.
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 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. But the king said to Daniel, Your God whom you serve continually, he will 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 And they brought a stone, and put it on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed [it] with his ring, and with the ring of his nobles; that the case might not be altered with regard to Daniel.
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 And the king departed to his house, and lay down fasting, and they brought him no food; and his sleep departed from him. But God shut the mouths of the lions, and they not molest Daniel.
然後君王回了王宮,整夜絕食,斷絕娛樂,並徹夜失眠未睡。
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and came in have to the den of lions.
清晨,天一亮,君王便起來,急速往獅子圈去了,
20 And when he drew near to the den, he cried with a loud voice, Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lion's mouth?
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 And Daniel said to the king, O king, live for ever.
達尼爾遂對君王說:「大王萬歲!
22 My God has sent his angel, and stopped the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me: for uprightness was found in me before him; and moreover before you, O king, I have committed no trespass.
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 Then the king was very glad for him, and he commanded to bring Daniel out of the den. So Daniel was brought out of the den, and there was found no hurt upon him, because he believed 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 And the king commanded, and they brought the men that had accused Daniel, and they were cast into the den of lions, they, and their children, and their wives: and they reached not the bottom of the den before the lions had the mastery of them, and utterly broke to pieces 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 all nations, tribes, [and] languages, who dwell in all the earth, [saying], Peace be multiplied to you.
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 This decree has been set forth by me in every dominion of my kingdom, that [men] tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living and eternal God, and his kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion is for ever.
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 helps and delivers, and works signs and wonders in the heaven and on the earth, who 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 And Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in 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。