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24 Therefore, Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said thus to him: “(A)Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will declare the interpretation to the king.”
25 Then Arioch hurriedly (B)brought Daniel before the king and said thus to him: “I have found a man among the [a](C)exiles from Judah who can make the interpretation known to the king!” 26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was (D)Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered before the king and said, “As for the mystery about which the king is asking, neither (E)wise men, conjurers, [b]magicians, nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. 28 However, there is a (F)God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the [c](G)last days. This was your dream and the (H)visions of your head while on your bed. 29 As for you, O king, while on your bed your thoughts [d]turned to what would happen [e]in the future; and (I)He who reveals mysteries has made known to you what will happen. 30 But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me by any (J)wisdom which is in me more than in any other living man, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, and that you may know the (K)thoughts of your heart.
Daniel Interprets the Dream
31 “You, O king, were looking, and behold, there was a single great [f]image; that image, which was large and [g]of extraordinary splendor, was rising up in front of you, and its appearance was [h](L)awesome. 32 The (M)head of that image was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 You [i]continued looking until a (N)stone was cut out (O)without hands, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and (P)crushed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed [j]all at the same time and became (Q)like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that (R)not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the image became a great (S)mountain and filled the whole earth.
36 “This was the dream; now we will say (T)its interpretation before the king. 37 You, O king, are the (U)king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the [k]kingdom, the (V)power, the strength, and the glory; 38 and wherever the sons of men inhabit, or the (W)beasts of the field, or the birds of the sky, He has given them into your hand and has made you rule with power over them all. You are the head of gold. 39 But after you there will arise another kingdom inferior to you, then another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule with power over all the earth. 40 Then there will be a (X)fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. 41 Now in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron; it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have in it the toughness of iron, inasmuch as you saw the iron mixed with [l]common clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. 43 And in that you saw the iron mixed with [m]common clay; they will combine with one another [n]in the seed of men; but they will not cling to one another, even as iron does not combine with clay. 44 And in the days of those kings the (Y)God of heaven will (Z)cause a (AA)kingdom to rise up which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be [o]left for another people; it will (AB)crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself stand forever. 45 Inasmuch as you saw that a (AC)stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the (AD)great God has made known to the king what (AE)will happen [p]in the future; so the dream is certain, and its interpretation is trustworthy.”
Daniel and Friends Promoted
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did (AF)homage to Daniel and said for them to present to him an offering and [q](AG)fragrant incense. 47 The king answered Daniel and said, “Truly (AH)your God is a (AI)God of gods and a Lord of kings and a (AJ)revealer of mysteries since you have been able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king [r](AK)promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him rule with power over the whole (AL)province of Babylon and chief [s]prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 And Daniel sought of the king, and he (AM)appointed (AN)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego over the administration of the province of Babylon, while Daniel was at the king’s [t](AO)court.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Image
3 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an (AP)image of gold, the height of which was [u]sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the (AQ)province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent word to assemble the (AR)satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they were standing before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then the herald loudly called out: “To you it is said, (AS)O peoples, nations, and men of every tongue, 5 that at the time you (AT)hear the sound of the horn, flute, [v]lyre, [w]trigon, [x]psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. 6 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall [y]immediately be (AU)cast into the midst of a (AV)furnace of blazing fire.” 7 Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, [z]lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations, and men of every tongue fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
We Will Not Serve Your Gods
8 For this reason at that time certain (AW)Chaldeans came near and [aa](AX)brought charges against the Jews. 9 They answered and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: “(AY)O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have (AZ)made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, [ab]lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, is to (BA)fall down and worship the golden image. 11 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have (BB)appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men, O king, do not pay attention to you; they do not serve your gods and do not worship the golden image which you have set up.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in (BC)rage and wrath said to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that you are not serving (BD)my gods and do not worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready, (BE)at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, [ac]lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, then you shall fall down and worship the image that I have made. But if you do not worship, you will [ad]immediately be (BF)cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and (BG)what god is there who can save you out of my hands?”
16 (BH)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to respond to you with an answer concerning this matter. 17 [ae]If it be so, our (BI)God whom we serve is able to save us from the furnace of blazing fire; [af]and (BJ)He will save us out of your hand, O king. 18 (BK)But if not, (BL)let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods, and we will not worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Daniel’s Friends Delivered
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with (BM)wrath, and the image of his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. He answered and said to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he said to certain mighty men of valor who were in his military [ag]host to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 Then these men were tied up in their [ah](BN)trousers, their [ai]coats, their caps, and their other clothes and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. 22 For this reason, because the king’s word was [aj](BO)urgent and the furnace had been heated to an extraordinary degree, the flame of the fire killed those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. 23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, (BP)fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and hurriedly stood up; he answered and said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast tied up into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “Certainly, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “Look! I see four men loosed and (BQ)walking about in the midst of the fire [ak]without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the (BR)gods!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he answered and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the (BS)Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (BT)came out of the midst of the fire. 27 Then the (BU)satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the (BV)fire had no power over [al]the bodies of these men, nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their [am](BW)trousers [an]damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them.
28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the (BX)God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who has (BY)sent His angel and saved His servants who put their (BZ)trust in Him, [ao]violating the king’s word, and gave up their bodies so as (CA)not to serve and not to worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I (CB)make a decree that any people, nation, or tongue that says anything offensive against the God of (CC)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their (CD)houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is (CE)no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” 30 Then the king (CF)caused Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego to succeed in the province of Babylon.
7 (A)The end of all things is at hand; therefore, (B)be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of [a]prayer. 8 Above all, (C)keep fervent in your love for one another, because (D)love covers a multitude of sins. 9 (E)Be hospitable to one another without (F)grumbling. 10 (G)As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good (H)stewards of the manifold grace of God— 11 (I)whoever speaks, [b]as one speaking the (J)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving [c](K)by the strength which God supplies; so that (L)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, (M)to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.
Sharing the Suffering of Christ
12 (N)Beloved, do not be surprised at the (O)fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. 13 But to the degree you are (P)sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the (Q)revelation of His glory (R)you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are insulted [d](S)for the name of Christ, (T)you are blessed, (U)because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that (V)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a [e](W)troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a (X)Christian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to (Y)glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment (Z)to begin [f]with (AA)the house of God; and if it (AB)begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those (AC)who do not obey the (AD)gospel of God? 18 (AE)And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, [g]what will become of the (AF)godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to (AG)the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.
Shepherd the Flock of God
5 (AH)Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your (AI)fellow elder and (AJ)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a (AK)partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd (AL)the flock of God among you, overseeing (AM)not under compulsion, but willingly, according to God; and (AN)not for dishonest gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as (AO)lording it over [h]those allotted to you, but being (AP)examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief (AQ)Shepherd appears, you will receive the (AR)unfading [i](AS)crown of glory. 5 (AT)You younger men, likewise, (AU)be subject to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with (AV)humility toward one another, for (AW)God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
6 Therefore (AX)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 (AY)casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 (AZ)Be of sober spirit, (BA)be watchful. Your adversary, (BB)the devil, prowls around like a roaring (BC)lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 [j](BD)But resist him, (BE)firm in the faith, knowing that (BF)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished among your [k]brethren who are in the world. 10 And after you have suffered (BG)for a little while, the (BH)God of all grace, who (BI)called you to His (BJ)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself (BK)restore, (BL)strengthen, confirm, and ground you. 11 (BM)To Him be might forever and ever. Amen.
12 Through (BN)Silvanus, our faithful brother as I regard him, (BO)I have written to you briefly, exhorting and bearing witness that this is (BP)the true grace of God. (BQ)Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, (BR)Mark. 14 (BS)Greet one another with a kiss of love.
(BT)Peace be to you all who are in Christ.
Kaph
81 My (A)soul fails with longing for Your salvation;
I [a](B)wait for Your word.
82 My (C)eyes fail with longing for Your [b]word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For I (D)am like a wineskin in the smoke,
But I do (E)not forget Your statutes.
84 How many are the (F)days of Your slave?
When will You (G)execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The arrogant have (H)dug pits for me,
Men who are not [c]in accord with Your law.
86 All Your commandments are (I)faithful;
They have (J)persecuted me with lying; (K)help me!
87 They almost made an end of me on the earth,
But as for me, I (L)did not forsake Your precepts.
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.
Lamedh
89 (M)Forever, O Yahweh,
Your word stands firm in heaven.
90 Your (N)faithfulness endures [d]from generation to generation;
You (O)established the earth, and it (P)stands.
91 They stand this day according to Your (Q)judgments,
For (R)all things are Your slaves.
92 If Your law had not been my (S)delight,
Then I would have perished (T)in my affliction.
93 I will (U)never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have [e](V)revived me.
94 I am Yours, (W)save me;
For I have (X)sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked (Y)hope for me—to destroy me;
I shall perceive Your testimonies.
96 I have seen [f]a limit to all perfection;
Your commandment is exceedingly broad.
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