Commentary on Daniel

DANIEL ACCORDING TO THE SEPTUAGINT, FROM THE TETRAPLA OF ORIGEN

DANIEL

ACCORDING TO THE SEPTUAGINT, FROM THE TETRAPLA OF ORIGEN,

Drawn from the unique Chisian codex of over 1200 years of age, and edited at Rome in the year 1772.

By the R. D. Vincentius de Regibus.

TESTIMONIES CONCERNING THE CHISIAN CODEX

LEO ALLATIUS.

The codex is most ancient, most correct, and most complete, and, as I myself judge, written before the twelve-hundredth year. It is to be considered more precious than refined gold, and more valuable than a golden vessel heavy with gems.

CARDINAL BONE.

Would that we possessed the entire Tetrapla, Hexapla, and Octapla of Origen; there would not have arisen so many questions concerning the Greek editions of the Holy Scripture and their faithfulness and sincerity. But since these have perished, and now this fragment has emerged containing the four major Prophets according to the version of the LXX Interpreters, transcribed from the Hexapla of Origen themselves, I would consider it worth the effort if it were published in print. For Origen described the text of the LXX from an autograph found at Alexandria and exhibited a pure edition of it, which was held to be sincere by everyone, and even by St. Jerome himself. But because, after the version of the LXX—which Petavius teaches was made 277 years before Christ—three others followed, namely that of Aquila of Sinope, a Jew who was a Christian and an Ebionite, around the year of Christ 130; that of Theodotion of Ephesus, a Jew who was a Christian and an Ebionite, around the year 185; and that of Symmachus the Samaritan, a Christian who was a Jew and an Ebionite, around the year 200, he arranged these in columns together with the translation of the LXX and called it the Tetrapla. Having later acquired a knowledge of the Hebrew language, he added the Hebrew text, in Hebrew characters in one column and in Greek in another, whence it is called the Hexapla. Finally, the fifth and sixth translations having been found—the former in jars at Jericho under Caracalla, the latter at Nicopolis near the promontory of Actium in the time of Alexander Severus—he added them to the others and named it the Octapla. Jerome and Epiphanius commend this labor of Origen, even though they themselves were hostile to it: the latter in his book *On Weights and Measures*, the former in ch. 1 of his *Epistle to Titus*; and Origen himself discusses it in Tract 8 on Matthew and in his letter to Julius Africanus. But since the Hexapla could only be described at great expense, Eusebius of Caesarea and Pamphilus the Martyr described only the version of the LXX from the Hexapla themselves with the greatest emendation, which, according to St. Jerome in his letter to Sunnia and Fretela (which should also be read on this matter in Epistle 107 to Chromatius), has been preserved pure and immaculate in the Oriental Churches. Hence it is evident that this Codex is of the greatest value, both because of its rarity and because it is to be believed that the pure and sincere text of the LXX is exhibited here from the Hexapla.

JUDGMENT OF AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR.

That what they call the Septuagint version has always been held in high regard is not called into doubt by anyone, so far as I know, who is skilled in those matters. Whether that version exists now in the same way, some doubt; yet it is far more probable that it does still exist, for many passages of it are cited by the Ancients which we read today in our Greek Codices. I would not deny, however, that many faults have irrepped into it, both through the ignorance and negligence of scribes and through the malice of heretics, so that, as Bellarmine states in his book *On the Word of God*, ch. 6, it is no longer safe to emend Latin and Hebrew texts from Greek Codices. Nor is it a wonder if the aforesaid version has been corrupted in this age, which St. Jerome proclaimed had been corrupt for 1,250 years (*Preface to Paralipomenon and Ezra*). From this, I believe, those errors have irrepped into it, because since there were many versions, they were later mixed together and thus remained very confused; for besides the version of the LXX, there were three others, that of Aquila sci

of Theodotion, and of Symmachus, of Jews or heretics; from which Origen composed his Tetrapla, to which he added the Orchuntean and Nicopolitan versions, so that they were no longer Tetrapla but Hexapla; but at length they became Octapla, with the Hebrew text added in both Greek and Hebrew letters. Another version also was compiled or compacted from those mentioned above by Origen, as Jerome testifies in his 89th epistle to Augustine, to which three others were added: namely that of Lucian the Martyr, of Hesychius, and of Jerome, translated from Latin into Greek, as Jerome testifies himself in his book *De Viris Illustribus* under the entry for Sophronius, and in book II *Against Rufinus*; one might add another, which they call the *Koine*, or Common [edition], unless perhaps it is identical to that other one mentioned above, compiled by Origen, which the same author had marked with his own asterisks and obeli, which however have perished due to the injury of time and the negligence of scribes.

But in the year of the last century, 1587, by the command and authority of Sixtus V, the version of the LXX was published from the most ancient Vatican Codex, having been collated with many others with the greatest diligence; to which another, altogether similar, was brought to the City from Magna Graecia, which later remained in the possession of Antonius Carafa, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, to whose care and industry in particular the said edition had been entrusted, by which it came about that it appeared restored almost to its ancient luster, at least as the author testifies in the preface.

These things being premised, it remains to speak of the Chigi Codex, which, although it differs in some points from the Sixtine edition referred to above—which, however, was excerpted from the most ancient Vatican Codex, written, as they say, before the age of Jerome, and therefore more sincere—one might perhaps think it to be something other than the LXX version. It is added that it agrees with our Vulgate in many points, not only according to the context of the words but also according to the order of the chapters, in which it agrees with the Vulgate and differs from the Sixtine, as can be seen in Jeremiah and Daniel.

But it is most certain that the Codex was transcribed from the Hexapla themselves, as this is expressly read in fol. 150, p. 1, fol. 167, p. 1, fol. 155, p. 1, fol. 315, p. 2, and elsewhere, and the tenor of words and sentences is almost always the same as that which we observe in the Sixtine edition; nor does any diversity, whether of words or even of the order of things and chapters, stand in the way; for since it is not certain that the Vatican Codex contains the sincere LXX version, it is also not certain that the Chigian is different from it, even though it otherwise differs from the Vatican in many points: nor does the difference of order or disposition hinder this, for this is variable in ancient manuscripts.

However, since we have in this Codex a very great forest of asterisks and obeli, by which are designated those things which are missing in the Vatican or Sixtine edition, but which we read in our Vulgate—nay, even when those things added with the prefixed signs sometimes repeat the same sense in other words, a clear example of which exists in fol. 112, p. 1, at the end of Jeremiah—from this we can perhaps conjecture that this Codex comprises that ancient *Koine* of the Greeks, which the same Origen compacted, as we said above; namely, that after Origen had published the Hexapla and Octapla, in order to spare expense, he excerpted only the LXX version, amended from them, with the addition of what was missing from Theodotion and other versions, with asterisks and obeli prefixed, and published it as a new version.

That this was not only accepted and admitted into all libraries, but also highly approved, Jerome testifies in his 89th epistle to Augustine; nay, the same Jerome, in the preface to book XVI of Isaiah, says that it is the same as that common or vulgate version which the Greeks call *Koine*, and although he seems to think otherwise in his epistle to Sunnia and Fretela in these words: "Know," he says, "that one edition is that which Origen and Eusebius of Caesarea and all the Greek commentators call *Koine* and the 'vulgate,' and by many is now called Lucianic, and another is that of the Interpretors, which is found in the *Hexaplar* Codices": from which someone might perhaps deduce that it was different from that which Origen compacted, since Origen seems to hold it as different; this, however, does not stand, because Origen, according to Jerome, does not say it is different from that which he himself composed, but [is different] from the LXX version. Jerome, however, speaks in this place of that common or vulgate Psalter which, he says, Origen had amended, and after him, Lucian the Martyr; therefore, by Jerome’s testimony, it is certain that that ancient *Koine* of the Greeks is the same as that which Origen composed from the amended LXX version, with the addition of many things from other versions. The conjecture is founded on this, that along with the amended LXX version, other things from other versions are joined and designated by their own asterisks and obeli, both in the aforementioned version of Origen and in the Chigi Codex. But that those additions are read in our Vulgate is not so surprising; for since our Vulgate is Jerome’s—which is far more likely—or that ancient one which Augustine in *De Doctrina Christiana*, book II, chapter 15, calls the "Itala" and judges to be preferred to all others, being then amended by Jerome from the Hebrew text and especially from the version of Theodotion, it is no wonder if those things which were marked with prefixed asterisks in the Chigi Codex, and added to the LXX version from Theodotion and others, are read in our Vulgate.

It remains, therefore, that we say that in this Codex the LXX version is contained, but one dissimilar to the Sixtine in those things, namely, in which it was amended by Origen after the Hexapla were published, with many things added from Theodotion and the Hebrew text, and marked with an asterisk or obelus, which are read in our Vulgate: because this, as I have said, is either Jerome’s—and therefore from the Hebrew text—or that ancient *Itala*, amended by the same Jerome from the Hebrew and perhaps from that ancient common [edition] of the Greeks of which we spoke above; whence, in my judgment, the Chigian Codex is rightly said to be transcribed from the Tetrapla or Hexapla, from which also the last version of Origen had been excerpted, though augmented by many additions marked with an asterisk, which we read in this Codex marked with the same signs, as we also do in our Vulgate.

From these things it is manifest how much the Chigi Codex is to be valued, which opens to us those primary fountains from which our Vulgate, which the Council of Trent declared authentic, if it did not originate, was at least amended, and therefore it does not seem inferior to the Vatican Codex; nay, perhaps it is to be preferred to it, because we are certain that it was excerpted from the Hexapla themselves, which perhaps the Vatican Codex was not.

The antiquity of the Codex can be proved from the asterisks and obeli, also from the characters and the parchment, and finally at the end of Isaiah this number is noted: ςτπν', which seems to be the year of the common era among the Greeks from the creation of the world, in which the scribe wished to record the time of this transcription; and thus there is a difficulty in the third letter, which cannot be ω; for this letter is the note for eight hundred, although in this penultimate position the note for some number of tens is required: it seems therefore to have been written by the librarian by error, or slip of the pen, ω for it signifies eighty; if we follow this, this number will be 6388, from which if we subtract 5508, which is the year of Christ’s birth from the creation of the world according to the Greeks, the remainder 880 will be the year of Christ in which these are said to have been written; furthermore, the appearance of the parchment itself and the hand easily persuades one of this age of the writing.

It must not be omitted that in this Codex are contained, besides the Major Prophets, as they are called, from folio 172 to folio 188, a brief Commentary on the dream of Nebuchadnezzar composed by Saint Hippolytus, Martyr and Bishop of Portus, of which Jerome makes mention in his book *On Ecclesiastical Writers*, as well as Eusebius and others; for Jerome says that Hippolytus, besides many other things, wrote on Daniel. This work had not previously been published to the light, though a similar one is preserved in the Vatican. Finally, I would deem it worth the effort that this Codex be sent to the press, employing the industry of the most skilled, which seems absolutely necessary for its correction and collation. Thus far the Testimonies are kept in the Chisian Codex itself.

*Itinerary of Italy*, page 92. A distinguished Greek Codex, written at least eight hundred years ago, is superior to all; it contains the four Major Prophets, as well as a brief Commentary on the dream of Nebuchadnezzar composed by Saint Hippolytus, Martyr and Bishop, of which Eusebius makes mention, and after him Jerome and others. This Codex appears to be excerpted from the very Hexapla of Origen, as is clearly read on folio 130 recto, as also on folios 135, 167, and folio 315 verso, as observed by Holstenius, who had seen the Codex and had transcribed it almost entirely. Asterisks and obeli are placed here and there. Similar to this is another Codex in the Vatican Library. Finally, at the end of Isaiah, certain numbers are affixed, by which some, consulted by Alexander VII, thought the time or year of the writing of the Codex was designated. But we do not doubt that the number of verses is signified by these marks: HCAIAC STI. T QK, that is, the *stichoi* (lines) of Isaiah, or three thousand eight hundred and twenty verses.

*Italian Diary*, page 237. All the Prophets in Greek with the Commentaries of Origen and Hesychius, and Letters, and ancient Prefaces. A tenth-century parchment Codex of excellent note, in Rome in the Chiggiana Library. Another cotton-paper Codex, also containing all the Prophets with obeli and asterisks, and certain readings of the Hexapla in the margin.

From a Letter to A. S. Mazocchi, 16 November 1742. The most ancient Chisian Manuscript Codex is available to me very opportunely, which by the singular benefit of his noble family I now have in my hands, and I shall keep it until the time arrives for me to return to Brescia. It contains the four Major Prophets accurately transcribed from the Origenian Hexapla, more precious than gold, and to be considered more valuable than a golden dish heavy with gems, as Leo Allatius says... Therefore, it is my intention to extract from it the prophet Jeremiah, who occurs there first among those four, as a specimen of my favorable disposition in supplying from it whatever you might discern to be useful in any way to your studies. The Hexaplar text, moreover, besides the Origenian obeli and asterisks, is adorned with marginal notes showing readings from the versions of Aquila and Symmachus, but taken from elsewhere, in a transcript derived from that most ancient Codex, truly by the care of Leo Allatius, to whom Alexander VII, Supreme Pontiff, had entrusted the task of publishing that work in its entirety.

From a Letter to Cardinal Quirini, 1 March 1743, with the appended *Diatribe*, page xxvi. I am ashamed, most eminent Cardinal Quirini, that what I said in the first place about the Diptychs, having reserved the Chisian copy for the last (nor was that without a disgraceful *hysteron proteron*; since in your other most erudite letter, to which I now endeavor to reply, the Chisian Codex came first and the Diptych followed), I should finally find myself, as he says, excluded by narrow spaces. For, having discoursed on the Diptychs more than was absolutely necessary, what can I now say, in keeping with their dignity, about that excellent and most celebrated Codex? It will now be my part, since I cannot do justice to the nature of that Codex (at least in so far as I have been able to judge from the fragments sent to me), to indicate briefly, lest I should chance to appear too unworthy of so great a gift. And first of all, the text of the Chisian Codex will rightly be called Hexaplar, because it is faithfully described from that most emended Septuagintal text placed in the Hexapla. For although it has certain Theodotionic additions inserted under asterisks: yet because, when those patches are removed which Adamantius had appended under the asterisk, the Hexaplar text returns, the Chisian Codex will most correctly be called Hexaplar. To this points that statement of Jerome: "Do you wish to be a true lover of the LXX Interpreters? Do not read the things that are under the asterisks." Which asterisks certainly were absent from the Hexaplar context of the Elders.

*Biblical Gleanings*, Vol. I, page 315. Jerome (in his Preface to Daniel) had long ago warned that the Churches do not read this prophet according to the LXX Interpreters, but according to Theodotion, with asterisks and obeli added, however, by Origen. From which words it is argued that there was no other reason why the text of the Prophet from the LXX perished in the course of time, than because the disuse of the Danielic reading according to the Seventy soon followed, and the disuse of transcribing that Prophet, to such a degree that it finally came to pass that the Danielic text of the Elders was considered very rare and almost as good as lost; and in all the Greek editions of the Bibles of the Seventy, there did not appear that Daniel which the Seventy themselves had given, but that which Theodotion had worked out, which had quite early taken the place of the Seventy. And the matter had already reached this point, when—lo and behold—it was heard in the previous year that in the Chisian Codex of the Elders, of great value, the Septuagintal interpretation of Daniel exists, distinct from the Theodotionic one.

APPROBATIONS. It has now been brought to public light, by the study and labor of a man most learned in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, the Septuagint Version of the Prophecy of Daniel, long and eagerly awaited by students of Sacred Scripture. The excellent annotations appended to each chapter of this same prophecy will satisfy the expectation of long desire, in which the singular skill of this most illustrious man in languages, especially Greek, appears, and the light of his talent and judgment, as well as his distinguished and manifold learning, shines forth. The Apology, moreover, which he distributed into five Dissertations in defense of the opinion of the Fathers concerning the Septuagintal Version, contains an incredible variety and abundance of most beautiful matters pertaining to sacred and profane learning, and in them some things which, by their very novelty, will commend themselves to men engaged in this kind of study. Therefore, I have read this book, abundant in every kind of learning, by the command of the Most Reverend Father Ricchini, Master of the Sacred Apostolic Palace, most eagerly and diligently; and I have found it consistent both with the Catholic Faith and with good morals, and I trust it will be most useful to those who cultivate sacred studies. Wherefore, I deem it most worthy to be printed and brought into the public. Given at Rome, the 9th day before the Kalends of May, 1772. M. Ang. Giacomellus, Archbishop of Chalcedon.

What was to be eagerly sought after—that someone, leamed in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, might broadcast the Greek Septuagint interpretation of the Prophecy of Daniel, which many thought had perished through the injury of time, having rescued it from destructive moths and bookworms—this I now at last see accomplished with an incredible sense of joy and pleasure through the work of a distinguished man, who not only took care that the same Greek Version should be rendered into Latin, but also illustrated it with excellent annotations; to these he added Dissertations, of which this is the title: "Apology for the Opinion of the Fathers regarding the Septuagint Version." By order of the Most Reverend Father, Brother Thomas Augustine Ricchini, Master of the Sacred Apostolic Palace, I have diligently read this such distinguished work; and since I have perceived it to be consonant with orthodox doctrine and the right instruction of morals, and full of recondite learning, and therefore likely to be for the glory of its Author and for the utility and ornament of the Catholic Church, I have judged it worthy of public light. Given at Rome, in the Convent of Saint Mary above Minerva, the 11th day before the Kalends of October, 1771. Fr. Thomas Maria Mamachius, Order of Preachers, Casanatensian Theologian.

[In reprinting the Septuagint and Theodotionic text, it was decided to follow the Roman edition with such religious care that we have deemed it necessary to spare even those parts which appear faulty. It may suffice to have warned the benevolent reader of this once. DRACH.]

DANIEL ACCORDING TO THE SEVENTY (LXX) — CHAPTER I

1. In the third year of the reign of Joacim king of Judea, Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. ^A 2. And the Lord delivered it into his hands, and Joacim the king of Judea, and a certain part of the sacred vessels of the Lord; and he carried them away to Babylon into the land of Sennaar, into the house of his god, and he placed the vessels in the temple of his idol. 3. And the king said to Abiesdri, the chief eunuch, that he should bring to him from the children of the great men of Israel, and from the royal seed, and from those who were chosen, ^B 4. boys who were blameless, and beautiful in appearance, and skilled in all wisdom, and grammarians, and prudent, and wise, and strong, so as to be in the king’s house, and to teach them letters and the Chaldean language. 5. And that there should be given to them an allowance from the house of the king for every day, and from the royal table, and from the wine which the king drinks, and to educate them for three years, and from these to make them stand before the king. ^C 6. And they were of the line of the children of Israel who were from Judea: Daniel, Ananias, Misael, Azarias.

7. And the prince of the eunuchs gave them names: to Daniel, Baltasar; to Ananias, Sedrach; to Misael, Misach; and to Azarias, Abdenago. ^A 8. And Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not be polluted by the king’s meat, nor by the wine which he drank; and he requested the prince of the eunuchs that he might not be defiled. 9. And the Lord gave Daniel favor and grace in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. 10. And the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your meat and your drink, lest he see your faces looking worse and weaker than the youths who are of the foreigners, who are fed with you, and I shall endanger my own head. 11. And Daniel said to Abiesdri, who had been appointed arch-eunuch over Daniel, Ananias, Misael, and Azarias, 12. Try, I pray, your servants for ten days, and let there be given to us of the pulses of the earth, so that we may eat, and let us drink water. 13. And if our appearance should appear different from the other youths who eat of the king’s dinner, as you wish, so deal with your servants. 14. And he did so with them, and tried them for ten days. 15. After ten days, their appearance appeared beautiful, and the state of their body better than the other youths who were eating the king’s dinner. 16. And Abiesdri was taking away their dinner, and their wine, and gave to them instead of these from the pulses. ^B 17. And to the youths the Lord gave knowledge, and understanding, and wisdom in every literary art; and to Daniel He gave understanding in every word and vision, and in dreams, and in all wisdom. 18. And after these days [the king] commanded to bring them in; and they were brought in by the prince of the eunuchs to king Nabuchodonosor. 19. And when the king had spoken with them; and there was not found among the wise men any like Daniel, and Ananias, and Misael, and Azarias; and they were with the king. 20. And in every word, and understanding, and instruction, whatsoever the king inquired of them, he found them ten times wiser than the sophists and the philosophers who were in all his kingdom; and the king glorified them, and appointed them as princes, ^C and declared them wise over all who were in his affairs in all his land, and in his kingdom. 21. And Daniel was until the first year of Cyrus the king of the Persians. ^D

CHAPTER II.

1. And in the second year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, it befell that the king fell into visions and dreams, and was troubled in his sleep; and his sleep departed from him.

2. And the king commanded to summon the enchanters, and the magicians, and the sorcerers of the Chaldeans, to declare to the king his dreams; and they came and stood before the king. ^A

3. And the king said unto them, “I have seen a dream, and my spirit was troubled; I wish, therefore, to know the dream.”

4. And the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Syriac, “O king, live forever; tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation of it to you.”

5. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word has departed from me. Therefore, if you do not declare to me in truth the dream, and show me its interpretation, you shall be made an example, ^B and your possessions shall be taken into the royal treasury.”

6. “But if you declare to me the dream, and its interpretation, you shall receive gifts of every kind, and honors from me; show me the dream, and discern it.”

7. They answered a second time, saying, “O king, tell us the vision, and your servants will interpret it accordingly.”

8. And the king said to them, “I know of a truth that you are stalling for time; just as you have seen that the matter has departed from me. As I have commanded, so shall it be.”

9. “If you do not declare to me the dream in truth, ^C and make known its interpretation, you shall fall to death; for you have agreed to speak false words and to make them up before me, until the time passes. Now, therefore, if you tell me the word that I saw in the night, I shall know that you can also declare the interpretation of it.”

10. And the Chaldeans answered the king, “There is no one upon the earth who will be able to tell the king what he has seen, just as you inquire; and no king or potentate ever inquires about such a matter ^D from any wise man, or magician, or Chaldean.”

11. “And the matter you seek, O king, is grave and sublime; and there is no one who shall declare these things to the king, except some angel, whose dwelling is not with any flesh; whence it cannot come to pass, as you suppose.”

12. Then the king, becoming sullen and very sorrowful, gave orders to bring out all the wise men of Babylon.

13. And it was decreed that they should all be killed; and Daniel was sought, and all who were with him, to perish together.

14. Then Daniel offered counsel and judgment, which he had, to Arioch, the chief guard of the king, to whom he had given orders to bring out the sophists of Babylon.

15. And he inquired of him, saying, “Why is it decreed so severely by the king?” Then Arioch made the command known to Daniel.

16. And Daniel went in quickly to the king…

and asked that time be given him by the king, so that he might show all things before the king.

17. Then Daniel returned to his house, and related everything to Ananias, and Misael, and Azarias, his companions.

18. And he declared a fast, and prayer, and ^A affliction, to seek from the Lord Most High concerning this mystery, that Daniel and those with him might not be delivered to destruction together with the sophists of Babylon.

19. Then on that night the mystery was clearly revealed to Daniel in a vision; then Daniel blessed the Lord Most High, and crying out said:

20. “Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever, for His wisdom and greatness are.

21. And He changes times and seasons, removing kings and appointing them; giving wisdom to the wise, and understanding to those who are in knowledge.

22. Revealing deep and dark things, and knowing what is in the darkness, and what is in the light; and with Him is the solution.”

23. “To You, O Lord of my fathers, I confess and praise, that You have given wisdom and prudence to me, and now have made known to me what I asked, that I might explain it to the king hereafter.”

24. And Daniel went in to Arioch, who had been appointed by the king to slay all the ^B sophists of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not destroy the sophists of Babylon; but bring me in before the king, and I will explain everything to the king.”

25. Then Arioch with haste brought Daniel in before the king, and said to him, “I have found a man wise from the captivity of the sons of Judea, who will explain everything to the king.”

26. The king responding, said to Daniel, who was named in Chaldean Baltasar, “Are you able to tell me the vision that I saw, and the interpretation thereof?”

27. Daniel, crying out before the king, said, “The mystery which the king has seen is not for wise men, and magicians, and enchanters, and gazarenes to explain.

28. But there is a God in heaven who reveals ^C mysteries, who has signified to king Nabuchodonosor what must happen in the last days.”

29. “And He who reveals mysteries shows you what must happen.”

30. “To me, however, not because of wisdom that is in me above all men, has this mystery been revealed, but that it might be made clear to the king, and that you might know what you have conceived in your heart in knowledge.”

31. “And you, O king, saw, and behold, one image, and that image was very great, and its appearance sublime stood ^D before you, and the vision of the image was terrible.”

32. Its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms were silver, its belly and its thighs were bronze. ^A 33. Its legs were iron, its feet were partly of iron, part of pottery. 34. You saw until a stone was cut out from a mountain without hands, and it struck the image upon the iron and pottery feet, and shattered them. 35. Then together the iron, the pottery, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed, and became as fine as chaff in a threshing floor; and the wind blew them away, so that no trace of them remained, and the stone which struck the image became a great mountain, and struck the whole earth. 36. This is the vision, and we will tell the interpretation before the king. 37. You, O king, are a king of kings, and to you the Lord of heaven has given the authority, ^B and the kingdom, and the power, and the honor, and the glory throughout the whole world. 38. And all things, the children of men and the wild beasts and the fowls of heaven and the fish of the sea, he has given under your hands to rule over all; you are the golden head. 39. And after you another kingdom inferior to you shall arise, and a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. 40. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, ^C just as iron is that which subdues all things, and as iron breaking in pieces every tree; and the whole earth shall be shaken. 41. And as you saw its feet and its toes, partly of pottery and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided within itself, just as you saw the iron mixed together with the clay and pottery. 42. And the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly pottery; and a part of the kingdom shall be strong, and a part shall be broken in pieces. 43. And as you saw Iron mixed together with clay and pottery, they shall be mixed in the generation of men, ^D but they shall not be consenting, nor well-disposed to one another, just as iron cannot be mixed with pottery. 44. And in the times of those kings, the God of heaven shall set up another kingdom, which shall be for the ages, and it shall not be destroyed, and this kingdom shall not permit another nation [to exist], but shall strike and destroy these kingdoms, and it itself shall stand for the age. 45. Just as you saw a stone cut out from a mountain without hands, and it crushed the pottery, the iron, and the bronze, and the silver, and the gold; the great God has made known to the king what things are to come in the latter days; and the vision is accurate, and the interpretation thereof is faithful. 46. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king, falling upon

his face, worshipped Daniel, and gave orders that they should offer sacrifices and libations to him. 47. And the king cried out to Daniel and said: Truly your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, who reveals hidden mysteries alone, because you were able to manifest this mystery.

48. Then king Nebuchadnezzar exalted Daniel, and giving him great and many gifts, he appointed him over the affairs of Babylon, and made him prince and leader of all the sophists of Babylon.

49. And Daniel requested of the king, that he might appoint over the affairs of Babylon Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago; and Daniel was in the royal court.

CHAPTER III

1. In the eighteenth year, Nebuchadnezzar the king, governing cities, and regions, and all those dwelling upon the earth from India even unto Ethiopia, made a golden image; its height was six cubits: and he set it up in the field of the park of the region of Babylon.

2. And Nebuchadnezzar the king, holding power over the whole world, sent to gather together all nations, and tribes, and languages, satraps, dukes, toparchs, and consuls, prefects, and those who were set in authority through the region, and all those who were throughout the world, that they might come to the dedication of the golden image, which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

3. ^A Then were gathered together consuls, dukes, toparchs, praetors, tyrants, great ones in authority, and all the princes of the regions, to come to the dedication of the image, which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood who were written down in the presence of the image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4. And a herald proclaimed to the crowds: It is decreed to you, nations and regions, peoples and languages.

5. When you hear the sound of the trumpet, pipe, and cithara, sambuca and psalterium, ^B symphonia, and every kind of music, falling down, you must worship the golden image, which Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.

6. Whosoever, however, does not fall down and worship, in that same hour they shall cast him into the burning furnace of fire.

7. At that time, when all the nations heard the sound of the trumpet, pipe and cithara, sambuca and psalterium, and all the sound of music, all the nations, tribes, and languages fell down ^C and worshipped the golden image, which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up, in its presence.

8. At that time certain Chaldean men came forward and slandered the Jews.

9. And they, receiving the king, said: O king, live forever. ^D

10. You, O king, have commanded and decreed that every man who hears the voice of the trumpet, flute, ^A harp, sackbut, psaltery, and every sound of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the burning furnace of fire. 12. There are certain Jews, whom you appointed over the affairs of the land of Babylon, Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago; these men, O king, have not paid regard to you; they do not serve your gods, and they have not worshipped the golden image which you have set up.

13. Then Nabuchodonosor in his rage and fury ordered that Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago be brought. Then those men were brought before the king. 14. And Nabuchodonosor the king said to them, "Why do you, Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, not serve my gods, and why do you not worship the golden image which I have set up? 15. Now if ^B you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, and harp, sackbut and psaltery and symphony, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the golden image which I have set up; but if you do not, know that if you do not worship, at the same hour you shall be cast into the burning furnace of fire; and what God is there who will deliver you out of my hands?"

16. Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago answered and said to King Nabuchodonosor, "O king, we have no need to give you an answer in this matter. 17. For ^C there is a God in the heavens whom we worship, who is able to deliver us from the burning furnace of fire; and he will deliver us out of your hands, O king. 18. And then it shall be manifest to you, O king, that we neither serve your idol, nor do we worship the golden image which you have set up."

19. Then Nabuchodonosor was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed toward Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than it was wont to be heated. 20. And he ordered the most powerful men ^D of those in his army to bind Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago and to cast them into the burning furnace of fire. 21. Then those men were bound, with their shoes, and their turbans on their heads, along with their garments, and they were cast into the burning furnace of fire. 22. Because the king’s decree was urgent, and the furnace was heated beyond what was ordinary, seven times more, those men who were instructed, having bound them and brought them up, cast them into it.

23. Now as for the men who were binding those who were with Azarias, the flame which came out from the furnace,

^A it set on fire and killed; but they themselves were preserved.

24. Thus then prayed Ananias, and Azarias, and Misael, and they praised the Lord, when the king commanded them to be cast into the kiln.

25. But Azarias stood and opened his mouth, and was confessing to the Lord together with his companions, in the midst of the fire of the furnace heated by the Chaldeans exceedingly, and they said:

26. Blessed art thou, O Lord the God of our fathers, and praiseworthy, and thy name is glorified unto the ages.

27. For thou art just in all that thou hast done to us, and all thy works are true, and thy ways are straight, and all thy judgments true.

28. And thou hast performed judgments of truth according to all that thou hast brought upon us, and upon thy holy city, the city of our fathers, Jerusalem: ^B for in truth and in judgment thou hast done all these things because of our sins.

29. For we have sinned in all, and we acted lawlessly by departing from thee, and we have transgressed in all things.

30. And we have not obeyed thy commandments, nor have we kept them, nor have we done as thou hast commanded us, that it might be well with us.

31. And now, all that thou hast brought upon us, and all that thou hast done to us, thou hast done in true judgment.

32. Thou didst deliver us into the hands of our lawless enemies, and of most hateful apostates, and to a king unjust and most wicked above all the earth. ^C

33. And now it is not given to us to open our mouth: shame and reproach have come to thy servants and to those who worship thee.

34. Do not deliver us up to the end for the sake of thy name, and do not destroy thy covenant.

35. And do not turn away thy mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, thy beloved, and for the sake of Isaac thy servant, and Israel thy holy one.

36. As thou hast spoken to them, saying that thou wouldst multiply their seed as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the shore of the sea. ^D

37. For, O Lord, we have become fewer than all the nations, and we are humbled in all the earth today because of our sins.

38. And there is not in this time prince, and prophet, and leader, nor whole burnt offering, nor sacrifice, nor oblation, nor incense, nor place to offer in thy sight.

39. And to find mercy: but with a contrite soul, and with a humbled spirit, may we be accepted.

40. As in whole burnt offerings of rams and bulls, and as in myriads of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be in thy sight today, and may it propitiate behind (thy back)

^A thee, because there is no shame for those who trust in thee, and follow after thee. 41. And now we follow with all our heart, and we fear thee, and we seek thy face. 42. Do not put us to shame, but deal with us according to thy kindness, and according to the multitude of thy mercy. 43. And deliver us according to thy wondrous works, and give glory to thy name, O Lord. 44. And let all those be put to shame who show evils to thy servants, and let them be put to shame by all their power, and let their strength be crushed. 45. Let them know ^B that thou art the only Lord God, and glorious over the whole world.

46. And the servants of the king who were heating the furnace did not cease; and when they cast the three at once into the furnace, the furnace was heated according to its heat seven times more. And when they cast them in, those who cast them were above them, while others stoked beneath them with naphtha, and tow, and pitch, and vine-twigs. 47. And the flame streamed above the furnace forty-nine cubits. 48. And it ranged far, and burned those it found around the furnace of the Chaldeans. 49. But the Angel of the Lord came down together with those who were with Azarias into the furnace, and shook the flame of fire out of the furnace. ^C 50. And he made the midst of the furnace as if a whistling wind of dew were blowing, and the fire did not touch them at all, nor did it grieve, nor did it trouble them.

51. And the three, as with one mouth, took up a hymn, and glorified, and blessed, and exalted God in the furnace, saying:

52. Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers, and worthy to be praised, and highly exalted for ever; and blessed is the holy name of thy glory, and highly to be praised, and highly exalted for all ages. ^D 53. Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holy glory, and highly to be hymn-praised, and highly glorious for ever. 54. Blessed art thou upon the glorious throne of thy kingdom, and highly praised, and highly exalted for ever. 55. Blessed art thou who beholdest the abysses, sitting upon the Cherubim, and worthy to be praised, and glorious for ever. 56. Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven, and worthy to be praised, and glorious for ever. 57. Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 58. Bless the Lord, O ye angels of the Lord, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 59. Bless the Lord, O ye heavens, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 60. Bless the Lord, all ye waters above the heaven...

the Lord, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever.

61. Bless the Lord, all ye powers of the Lord, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 62. Bless the Lord, O sun and moon, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 63. Bless the Lord, O ye stars of heaven, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 64. Bless the Lord, every rain and dew, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 65. Bless the Lord, all ye spirits, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 66. Bless the Lord, O fire and heat, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. ^B 67. Bless the Lord, O cold and chill, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 68. Bless the Lord, O dews and snows, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 69. Bless the Lord, O ice and cold, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 70. Bless the Lord, O hoar-frosts and snows, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 71. Bless the Lord, O nights and days, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 72. Bless the Lord, O light and darkness, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 73. Bless the Lord, O lightnings and clouds, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 74. Let the earth bless the Lord, let it sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. ^C 75. Bless the Lord, O mountains and hills, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 76. Bless the Lord, all things growing upon the earth, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 77. Bless the Lord, O showers and fountains, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 78. Bless the Lord, O seas and rivers, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 79. Bless the Lord, O whales and all that move in the waters, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 80. Bless the Lord, all ye fowls of heaven, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. ^D 81. Bless the Lord, all ye wild beasts and cattle, and the beasts of the earth, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 82. Bless the Lord, O ye sons of men, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 83. Bless the Lord, O Israel, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 84. Bless the Lord, O ye priests, servants of the Lord, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 85. Bless the Lord, O servants of the Lord, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 86. Bless the Lord, O spirits and souls of the just, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever.

87. Bless, O holy and humble men of heart, the Lord, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. 88. Bless the Lord, O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, sing a hymn, and highly exalt him for ever. For he hath delivered us from the nether world, and saved us from the hand of death, and rescued us from the midst of the burning flame, and redeemed us from the fire. 89. Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. 90. Bless the Lord, all ye that worship the Lord God of gods, sing a hymn, and give thanks, for his mercy endureth for ever + and for + the age of ages. ^B 91. And it came to pass when the king heard them chanting, and as he stood and watched them living. Then Nabuchodonosor the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and said to his friends, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” And they said to the king, “True, O king.” 92. And the king said, “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and no harm hath befallen them, and the appearance of the fourth is like the likeness of an angel of God.” 93. And the king came near to the door of the furnace burning with fire, and called them by name: “Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago, ye servants of the God of gods most high, come forth from the fire.” Thus, therefore, the men came forth from the midst of the fire. 94. And the consuls, and local governors, and the chief captains, and the friends of the king were gathered together, and they gazed upon those men, because the fire had not touched their bodies, nor were their hairs singed, and their mantles were not altered, nor was the smell of fire upon them. 95. Then Nabuchodonosor the king answered and said, “Blessed be the Lord of Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, who sent his angel and saved his servants who hoped in him. For they have set at naught the king’s commandment, and have yielded their bodies to the fire, that they might not serve nor worship any other god, but only their own God.” 96. And now I decree, that every nation, and all tribes, and all tongues, whosoever shall blaspheme against the Lord God of Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, shall be cut in pieces, and his house shall be confiscated; because there is no other God who shall be able to deliver thus. 97. So then the king gave power over the whole land to Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and appointed them as governors. ^D 98.

The beginning of the Epistle of Nabuchodonosor

his eternal kingdom, and his power is from generation to generation.

CHAPTER IV.

1. In the eighteenth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, he said: I was dwelling in peace in my house, and prosperous upon my throne. 2. I saw a dream, and it was true, and fear fell upon me.

7. I was sleeping on my bed and behold, a tree high, which was growing upon the earth, and the aspect thereof was great, and there was none other like unto it.

9. The branches thereof were in length about thirty stadia, and underneath it all the beasts of the earth did dwell, and in it the birds of the heaven did make their nests; its fruit was much and good, and it provided for all animals. ^A

8. And the aspect thereof was great, and the top thereof reached unto heaven, and the trunk thereof unto the clouds, filling all things which were under heaven: the sun and the moon were therein, and it dwelt in them and illuminated the whole earth.

10. I was contemplating in my sleep, and behold, an Angel was sent in fortitude from heaven.

11. And he called out, and said to it: Cut it down, and destroy it: for this is the mandate from the Highest, that it be rooted up, and become useless.

12. And he said thus: Leave one root of it in the earth, that it may feed on hay like an ox with the beasts of the earth in the mountains.

13. And let its body be changed by the dew of heaven, and for seven years let it be fed with them.

14. Until it knows that the Lord of heaven has power over all that are in heaven, and of all that are upon the earth, and whatsoever he wills to do, he does in them. ^B

15. In my presence it was cut down in one day, and its destruction was in one hour of the day, and its branches were given to every wind, and it was dragged away, and cast out. And it ate the hay of the earth, and was delivered into custody, and was bound with fetters, and with shackles of brass by them. I was greatly amazed at these things, and my sleep departed from my eyes: and rising in the morning from my bed I called Daniel, the prince of the wise men, and the leader of the interpreters of dreams, and I related the dream to him, and he demonstrated to me the whole interpretation thereof.

16. But Daniel was greatly amazed, and conjecture troubled him; and being terrified, when trembling had seized him, and his appearance was changed, ^C moving his head, for one hour he was amazed, and he answered me with a mild voice: O King, may this dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof come upon thine enemies.

17. The tree, which was born in the earth, whose aspect is great, thou art, O king.

18. And all the birds of the heaven which made their nests in it, the strength of the earth, and of the nations, and of all tongues until the ends of the earth, and all the lands shall serve thee.^D

^A

19. But as for that tree being exalted and approaching unto heaven, and its trunk reaching unto the clouds: thou, O king, art exalted above all men who are upon the face of all the earth; thy heart is lifted up in pride and strength above matters pertaining to the Holy One and His angels. Thy works have been examined, inasmuch as thou hast laid waste the house of the living God because of the sins of the sanctified people.

20. And the vision which thou didst see, that an angel in strength was sent by the Lord, and that he said: "Remove the tree, and cut it down"; the judgment of the great God shall come upon thee. ^B

21. And the Most High and His angels shall rush upon thee, and shall lead thee away into custody, and shall send thee into a desert place.

23. And as to the root of the tree that was left, because it was not uprooted, the place of thy throne shall be preserved for thee until a time and an hour. Behold, they are preparing against thee, and they shall scourge thee, and shall bring upon thee those things which have been decreed against thee. The Lord liveth in heaven, and His power is over all the earth.

24. Entreat Him for thy sins, and redeem thy injustices with alms, that gentleness may be given to thee, and thou mayest be long-lived upon the throne of thy kingdom, and He may not destroy thee. ^C

25. Love these words, for my speech is accurate, and thy time is full. And at the end of the words of Nabuchodonosor, when he heard the interpretation of the vision, he kept the words in his heart.

26. And after twelve months the king was walking upon the walls of the city with all his glory, and he was walking upon the towers thereof, and answering he said:

27. "Is this not great Babylon, which I built, and the house of my kingdom shall be named in the strength of my might for the honor of my glory?"

28. While the speech was yet in the mouth of the king, at the completion of his word, he heard a voice from heaven: "It is told to thee, O King Nabuchodonosor, the kingdom of Babylon is taken from thee, and is given to another abject man in thy house. ^D

Behold, I appoint him over thy kingdom, and he shall take thy power, and thy glory, and thy luxuries, so that thou mayest know that the God of heaven has power in the kingdom of men, and to whomsoever He will, He gives it. But until the rising of the sun, another king shall rejoice in thy house, and shall take thy glory, and thy strength, and thy power."

29. And the angels shall pursue thee for seven years; and thou shalt not be seen, nor shalt thou speak with any man; they shall feed thee with hay like an ox, and thy food shall be from the grass of the earth. Behold, instead of thy glory they shall bind thee, and another shall have the house of thy luxuries, and of thy kingdom.

30. But until the morning all things shall be fulfilled upon you, O ^A Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and nothing shall be lacking from all these things. I, Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, was bound for seven years; they fed me with hay as an ox, and I ate of the herbs of the earth.

31. And after seven years I gave my soul to supplication, and I besought for my sins before the face of the Lord God of heaven, and for my ignorances I prayed to the great God of gods; and my hair became as the wings of an eagle, and my nails as those of a lion; my flesh and my heart were changed, and I went about naked with the beasts of the earth.

32. I saw a dream, and misgivings took hold of me, and from that time a heavy sleep laid hold of me, and slumber fell upon me. And at the end of seven years the time of my redemption came, and my sins and my ignorances were fulfilled before the God of heaven; and I prayed for my ignorances to the great God of gods. And behold, a certain angel called to me from heaven, saying: Nabuchodonosor, serve the holy God of heaven, and give glory to the Most High. The kingdom of your nation is rendered back to you. ^B

33. At that time my kingdom was restored to me, and my glory was rendered back to me.

34. To the Most High who created the heaven, and the earth, and the seas, and the rivers, and all that is in them, I confess and I praise, because He is the God of gods, and Lord of lords, and King of kings; for He does signs and wonders, and changes times and ages, taking away the kingdom of kings, and establishing others in their stead. From this time I shall serve Him, and from fear of Him trembling has taken hold of me, and I praise all His saints; for the gods of the nations have not in themselves the power to transfer the kingdom of a king to another king, and to kill, and to make alive, and to do signs, and great and terrible miracles, and to change things beyond measure, as the God of heaven has done in me, and has changed great things in me. ^C

I, for all the days of my kingdom, will offer sacrifices for my soul to the Most High, for an odor of sweetness to the Lord; and that which is pleasing in His sight I will do, I, and my people, and my nation, and my regions which are in my power. And whoever shall have spoken against the God of heaven, and whoever shall be found speaking anything, these I will condemn to death.

And King Nabuchodonosor wrote a circular letter to all nations throughout the place, and to all regions, and all tongues living in all regions, for generation and generation.

Praise the Lord God of heaven, and offer to Him sacrifice and oblation gloriously. I, the king of kings, confess to Him magnificently, because He has done so with me. ^D

On that same day He placed me upon my throne,

^A and my power, and my kingdom; I reigned over my people, and my magnificence was restored to me.

Nabuchodonosor the king to all nations, and to all regions, and to all living in them: Peace be multiplied unto you at all times. And now I will show you the works which the great God has done with me: it has seemed good to me to show you, and to your sophists, that there is a God, and His wonders are great; His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, His power is from generation to generation. And he sent letters ^B concerning all things that had happened to him in his kingdom, to all the nations that were under his kingdom.

CHAPTER V

1. Baltasar the king made a great banquet on the day of the dedication of his kingdoms; he called two thousand men.

4. On that day Baltasar, being lifted up by wine, and boasting, praised all the gods of the nations, the molten and the graven, in their place, and to the Most High God he gave no praise. ^C

5. In that same night fingers went forth as of a man, and they wrote upon the wall of his house, upon the stucco of the wall, opposite the lamps. Mane, Phares, Thecel. And this is the interpretation of them: MANE, it is numbered; PHARES, it is taken away; THECEL, it is weighed.

1. Baltasar the king made a great banquet for his companions.

2. And he drank wine, and his heart was lifted up, and he said to bring the golden and the silver vessels of the house of God, which Nabuchodonosor his father had brought from Jerusalem, and to pour wine in them for his companions.

3. And it was brought, and they drank in them, and praised their handmade idols.

4. And they did not praise the God of the age, who has power over their spirit.

5. In that same hour, fingers went forth as of a man’s hand, and they wrote upon the wall of his house, upon the stucco of the wall, opposite the light, before king Baltasar, and he saw a hand writing.

6. And his countenance was changed, and suspicions ^D urged him. The king therefore hurried, and stood up, and looked at that writing; and the companions around him were boasting.

7. And the king cried with a great voice, to call the enchanters, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, and the gazareni, to proclaim the interpretation of the writing. And they entered for the spectacle, to see the writing, and the interpretation of the writing they were not able to interpret to the king. Then the king set forth an edict, saying: Every man who shall show the interpretation of the writing shall be clothed in purple, and a golden necklace shall be placed about him, and there shall be given to him authority over the third part of the kingdom.

8. And they entered, the enchanters and the sorcerers,

and the Chaldeans, and no one was able to declare the interpretation of the writing.

9. Then the king called the queen because of this sign, and showed her how great it was, and that no man could declare to the king the interpretation of the writing. ^A

10. At that same time the queen made mention of Daniel to him, who was from the captivity of Judea.

11. And the king said: He is a man endowed with knowledge, and wise, and surpassing all the wise men of Babylon, and the Holy Spirit is in him: and in the days of your father the king, he demonstrated sublime interpretations to Nabuchodonosor your father.

13. Then Daniel was brought in to the king, and the king answering said to him:

14. O Daniel, can you declare to me the interpretation of the writing?

16. And I will clothe you with purple, and a golden necklace shall be placed about you, and you shall have authority over the third part of my kingdom.

17. Then Daniel stood before the writing, and read, and thus answered the king: This is the writing: It is numbered, it is computed, it is taken away: and the hand that wrote has stood still, and this is the interpretation of them. ^B

23. King, you made a feast for your friends, and you drank wine, and the vessels of the house of the living God were brought to you, and you drank from them, you and your nobles, and you praised all the idols of men’s manufacture, and you did not bless the living God, and your spirit is in his hand, and he himself gave you your kingdom, and you did not bless him, nor did you praise him.

26. This is the interpretation of the writing: The time of your kingdom is numbered.

27. Your kingdom is finished; it is cut short, and summed up.

28. Your kingdom is given to the Medes and to the Persians.

29. Then Baltasar the king clothed Daniel in purple, and placed a golden necklace around him, and gave him authority over the third part of his kingdom. ^C

30. And the interpretation came upon Baltasar the king: and the kingdom is taken away from the Chaldeans, and given to the Medes and to the Persians.

31. And Artaxerxes the Mede accepted the kingdom, and Darius was full of days, and glorious in old age. ^D

CHAPTER VI

1. And he appointed a hundred and twenty-seven satraps over his entire kingdom.

2. And he set over them three rulers: and Daniel was one of the three men.

3. Having authority over all in the kingdom.

4. But Daniel was clothed in purple, and was great and glorious in the sight of King Darius, because he was celebrated, and endowed with knowledge, and prudent, and the Spirit

^A of God was in him, and prospering in the affairs of the king which he was managing. Then the king decided to set Daniel over his whole kingdom, and the two men whom he set with him, and one hundred and twenty-seven satraps. And when the king had decided to set Daniel over his whole kingdom, ^B then those two young men took counsel and gathered their thoughts together and spoke to one another (since they could find no fault nor ignorance against Daniel, concerning which they might accuse him before the king), and said: Come, let us establish a set decree against ourselves, that no man shall ask a petition, nor pray to any god whatsoever for thirty days, except to King Darius: and whoever does not do this shall die; that they might defeat Daniel in the sight of the king, and he might be cast into the lions' den. For they knew that Daniel prayed, and besought the Lord his God three times a day. 6. Then those men approached, and said before the king. 7. A set decree and station we have established, that every man who shall pray a prayer, or ask any petition from any god for thirty days, except from King Darius, ^C shall be cast into the lions' den. 9. And so King Darius established, and confirmed it. 10. But when Daniel knew of the decree which he had established against him, he opened the windows in his upper chamber towards Jerusalem; and he fell upon his face three times a day, just as he used to do before, and he prayed. 11. And they observed Daniel, and caught him praying three times a day every day. 12. Then these men gathered before the king, and said: King Darius, did you not establish a decree, that every man should not pray, nor ask a petition from any God for thirty days, except from you, O king? And if not, he shall be cast into the lions' den. 13. And the king, answering, said to them: The word is certain, and the decree shall remain. And they said to him: We adjure you by the decrees of the Medes and Persians, that you do not alter the commandment, nor show favoritism; and that you do not detract anything from these things which have been decreed; nay, rather, that you punish the man who has not abided by this decree. And he said: I will do so, ^D as you say, and this is confirmed for me. 14. And they said: We have found Daniel, your friend, praying and beseeching the face of his God three times a day. And the king, being grieved, said that Daniel should be cast into the lions' den, according to the decree which he had established against him. Then the king was greatly grieved for Daniel, and he strove to deliver him until the setting of the sun from the hands of the satraps.

15. And he was not able to deliver him from them. 16. But Darius the king cried out and said to Daniel: Thy God, whom thou worshippest continually, three times a day, he shall deliver thee from the hand of the lions; until morning, be of good courage. ^A 17. Then Daniel was cast into the den of lions, and a stone was brought and placed upon the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own ring, and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel might not be taken away by them, [+] or the king take him out of the den. [/] 18. Then the king returned to his own palace, and passed the night fasting, and was sorrowful concerning Daniel. Then the God of Daniel, having care of him, closed the mouths of the lions, and they brought no harm to Daniel. ^B 19. And King Darius arose at dawn, and took the satraps with him, and going forth, he stood over the mouth of the den of lions. 20. Then the king called to Daniel with a loud voice with weeping, saying: O Daniel, if by chance thou livest, and thy God, whom thou worshippest continually, hath saved thee from the lions, and they have not harmed thee? 21. Then Daniel cried out with a loud voice, and said: 22. O king, I am still living, and God hath saved me from the lions, forasmuch as justice was found in me before him; and also in thy sight, O king, neither ignorance, nor offense hath been found in me: but thou didst listen to men ^C who deceive kings, and didst cast me into the den of lions unto destruction. 23. At the same time all the princes were gathered together, and they looked upon Daniel, how the lions had brought no harm to him. 24. Then those two men who had borne witness against Daniel, they themselves, and their wives, and their children were cast to the lions, and the lions killed them, and crushed their bones. 25. Then Darius wrote to all nations, and tongues, and regions, and to those dwelling in all his land, saying: 26. All men, who are in my kingdom, shall be worshippers and servants of the God of Daniel: for he is the God remaining, and living unto generations of generations ^D unto eternity. 27. I Darius will be one who worships him, and serves all the days of my life: for idols which are made by hand cannot save, as the God of Daniel hath redeemed Daniel. 28. And King Darius was gathered to his kindred, and Daniel was established over the kingdom of Darius. And Cyrus the Persian received his kingdom.

CHAPTER VII.

^A his bed. Then Daniel wrote down the vision, which he saw, in the sum of his words. 2. In my vision by night I was looking: and behold, the four winds of the heaven rushed upon the great sea. 3. And four beasts were ascending from the sea, differing one from another. 4. The first was like a lioness, having eagle's wings. I was looking until its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the earth, and it stood upon human feet, and a human heart was given to it. 5. And behold, after it another beast, having the appearance of a bear, and it stood upon one side, and three ribs were in its mouth—as if in the midst of its teeth—and thus it said: Rise, devour much flesh. 6. And after these things I was looking at another beast like a leopard, and four wings were spreading over it, and the beast had four heads. 7. But after these things I was looking in the vision of the night, at a fourth beast, terrible and fearful, and its terror exceeding in strength, having great iron teeth, devouring and crushing, trampling with its feet in a circle, acting differently from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns, and many counsels ^B were in its horns. 8. And behold, another small horn was springing up among them, and three of the first horns were withered because of it; and behold, eyes, as if human, were in this horn, and ^C a mouth speaking great things; and it was making war against the saints. 9. I was looking until thrones were set, and the Ancient of Days sat, having a garment like snow, and the hair of his head like pure white wool; the throne was like a flame of fire, its wheels were burning fire. 10. A river of fire was drawing and going forth before his face; a thousand thousands were serving him, and ten thousand myriads were standing before him, and the judgment sat, and the books were opened. 11. I was looking then at the voice of the great words which the horn was speaking; I was looking, and the beast was beaten to death, and its body perished and was given to the burning of fire. 12. And [the others] were stripping the power of them, and a time of life was given to them until a time and a season. 13. I was looking in the vision of the night, and behold, upon the clouds of the heaven, one like a son of man was coming, and he was present with the Ancient of Days, and those standing by were present with him. 14. And to him was given dominion ^D and royal honor; and all the nations of the earth according to their races, and all [their] glory was serving him; and his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not be taken away, and his kingdom, which shall not be destroyed. 15. And I, Daniel, was grieved in these things in my

vision of the night, and my thoughts troubled me. 16. I came near to one of them who stood by, and I sought the truth from him concerning all these things. He answered and told me, and declared to me the interpretation of the words. 17. These great beasts are four kingdoms, which shall perish from the earth. 18. And they shall receive the kingdom of the saints of the Most High, and they shall possess the kingdom ^A even forever and ever. 19. At that time I wished to inquire diligently about the fourth beast that was destroying everything, and was very terrible; and behold, its teeth were of iron, and its claws of bronze, which devoured everyone round about, and trampled with its feet. 20. And concerning its ten horns that were on its head, and the one other that had grown up, and from which three had fallen, and that horn had eyes, and a mouth speaking great things, and its appearance surpassed the others. 21. I was considering that horn, which was waging war against the saints, and driving them away. 22. Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment gave to the saints of the Most High; and the time was given, and the saints took possession of the kingdom. 23. And it was said to me concerning the fourth beast, that a fourth kingdom shall be ^B upon the earth, which shall differ from all the earth, and shall devour the whole earth, ^C and shall devastate it, and crush it. 24. And the ten horns of the kingdom, ten kings shall arise; and another king shall arise after them, and he himself shall surpass the first ones in wickedness, and shall humble three kings. 25. And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall crush the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change times and law; and everything shall be delivered into his hands until a time and times, and until half a time. 26. And the judgment shall sit, and they shall destroy his power, and shall deliberate to pollute and destroy until the end. 27. And the kingdom, and the power, and their majesty, and the sovereignty of all kingdoms under heaven, He gave to a holy people of the Most High to reign ^D with an everlasting kingdom; and all powers shall be subject to him, and shall obey him until the end of the matter. 28. I, Daniel, was seized with great stupor, and my appearance was changed upon me, and I kept the word firmly in my heart.

CHAPTER VIII

1. In the third year of the reign of Belshazzar, the vision, which I, Daniel, saw, after I had seen the first. 2. And I saw in a dream vision, when I was in the city of Susa, which is in the region of Elymais, and I saw in a vision, while I was still by the gate of Aelam.

^A 3. Looking up, I saw one ram standing in front of the gate, and it had horns, and the horns were high, and the one was higher than the other, and the higher one kept ascending. 4. After these things I saw the ram butting towards the west, and to the north, and to the west, and to the south; and all the beasts did not stand behind it, and there was no one who could deliver out of its hands, and it did as it willed, and was exalted. 5. And I was considering, and behold a he-goat of the goats came from the west upon the face of the earth; and there was for the goat one visible horn in the midst of its eyes. 6. And it came to the ram that had the horns, which I had seen standing by the gate, and it ran toward it in the fury of its wrath. 7. And I saw it approaching the ram, and it was enraged at it, and struck the ram, and shattered both its horns, and there was no longer strength in the ram to stand before the goat, and it tore it down ^B upon the ground, and shattered it, and there was no one who could deliver the ram from the goat. 8. And the he-goat of the goats grew very strong, and when it had grown strong, its great horn was shattered, and other four horns rose up after it to the four winds of heaven. 9. And out of one of them came forth one strong horn, and it grew strong, and struck toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the north. 10. And it was exalted even unto the stars of heaven, and was cast upon the ground from the stars, and by them it was trampled. 11. Until the prince of the host shall deliver the captivity; and by him the mountains which are from of old were shattered, and their place was removed, and the sacrifice; and it set it even to the ground upon the earth, and they prospered, and it was done: and the sanctuary shall be desolated. 12. And there were sins upon the sacrifice, and righteousness was cast to the ground; and it acted, and prospered. 13. And I heard another holy one speaking; and the other holy one said to Phelmuni who was speaking: Until when shall the vision stand, the sacrifice that was taken away, and the sin of desolation that was given, and the holy things shall be desolated into a trampling? 14. And he said to him: Until evening and morning, two thousand three hundred days, and the sanctuary shall be cleansed. 15. And it came to pass, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it, and behold there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 16. And I heard the voice of a man in the midst of Oulai; and he called and said: Gabriel, make that man understand the vision; and crying out, the man said: ^C According to that command is the vision. 17. And he came, and stood near my station, and when he came, I was perturbed, and fell upon my

face, and he said to me: Pay attention, son of man; for the vision is still for a set time of the end. ^A 18. And while he was speaking to me, I lay upon my face on the ground; and when he touched me, he raised me up upon my place, and said to me: 19. Behold, I declare to you what shall be in the last days of the wrath against the sons of your people; for it shall remain until the hours of the time of the end. 20. The ram which you saw having the horns is the king of the Medes and Persians. 21. And the he-goat of the goats is the king of the Greeks; and the great horn which was between his eyes, he is the first king. ^B 22. And as for the one broken, and four horns rising up after it, four kings of his nation shall arise, not according to their strength. 23. And in the last of their kingdom, their sins being filled, there shall arise a king impudent in face, devising riddles. 24. And his strength shall be reinforced, and not in his own strength; and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and shall act, and shall destroy rulers and the people of the saints. 25. And upon the saints his calculation; and deceit shall prosper in his hands, and his heart shall be exalted, and by guile he shall destroy many, and shall stand upon the destruction of men; and he shall make an assembly of hand, and shall repay— ^C 26. The vision, which is of evening and morning, has been found to be true: but now the vision is closed; for it is still for many days. 27. I Daniel was infirm for many days; and when I had risen, I was administering again the royal affairs; and I was failing over the vision, and there was no one who understood.

CHAPTER IX.

1. In the first year under Darius Xerxes, of the lineage of the Medes, who have reigned over the kingdom of the Chaldeans, 2. In the first year of his reign, I Daniel understood in the books the number of the years, when the decree was made to the land concerning Jeremiah the prophet, to raise up for the completion ^D of the reproach of Jerusalem seventy years. 3. And I set my face toward the Lord God, to find prayer, and mercy in fasts, and sackcloth, and ashes. 4. And I prayed to the Lord God, and I confessed, and said: Behold, Lord, you are God the great, and the strong, and the terrible, keeping the covenant, and the mercy to those who love you, and to those who keep your commandments. 5. We have sinned, we have done iniquity, we have acted impiously, and we have departed, and have transgressed your commandments and your judgments. 6. And we have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, and ma

gistratus nostros, et patres nostros, et omni genti super terram. ^A

7. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us belongs confusion of face, as at this day, to the men of Judah, and to those dwelling in Jerusalem, and to all the people of Israel, both those near and those far away, in all the lands to which you have scattered them, because of the iniquity with which they behaved wickedly in your sight.

8. O Master, to us belongs confusion of face, and to our kings, and to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.

9. To the Lord our God belong righteousness and mercy, for we have departed from you.

10. And we have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God, so as to follow your law, which you set before Moses and before us, by your servants the prophets.

11. And all Israel has forsaken your law; and they turned aside, so as not to hear your voice, and the curse and the oath which is written in the law of Moses the servant of God ^B has come upon us, because we have sinned against him.

12. And he has fulfilled his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges who judged us, to bring upon us great evils, such as have not been done under heaven, as they have been done in Jerusalem.

13. According to what is written in the law of Moses, all these evils have come upon us; yet we have not sought the face of the Lord our God, so as to turn from our sins and to consider your righteousness, O Lord.

14. And the Lord watched over the evils, and brought them upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he has done, and yet we have not listened to his voice.

15. And now, O Master, O Lord our God, who led your people out of the land of Egypt with your mighty hand, and made yourself a name, as at this day; ^C we have sinned, we have acted unrighteously.

16. O Master, according to your righteousness, let your anger and your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people, O Lord, have become a reproach to all who are round about us.

17. And now, O Lord our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to my supplications, and let your face shine upon your holy mountain, which is desolate for your servants' sake, O Master.

18. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes and see our desolation, and that of your city, upon which your name is called; for it is not on account of our own righteousness that we ^D pour out our prayers before you, but because of your great mercy, O Lord, be you merciful.

19. O Lord, hear and act; and do not tarry.

^A For your own sake, O Lord, because your name has been invoked upon your city Zion, and upon your people Israel.

20. And while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sins, and the sins of my people Israel, and praying in supplications before the Lord my God also for the holy mountain of our God.

21. And while I was yet speaking in my prayer, and behold, the man whom I saw in my dream from the beginning, Gabriel, coming quickly, approached me at the time of the evening sacrifice.

22. And he came, and spoke with me, and said: Daniel, I have now come forth to show you understanding.

23. At the beginning of your supplication there went forth a command from the Lord, and I have come to show you, for you are greatly beloved; and understand the command.

24. Seventy weeks have been decreed upon your people, and upon the city Zion, that sin may be finished, and iniquities may fail, and injustices may be blotted out, and the vision may be understood, and everlasting righteousness may be given, and visions and the prophet may be fulfilled, ^B and the Holy of Holies may be gladdened.

25. And you shall know and understand, and you shall find precepts, that it may be answered: and you shall build Jerusalem as a city for the Lord.

26. And after seven and sixty-two [seeks] the anointing shall fail, and it shall not be; and a kingdom of the nations shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary with the anointed one; and its completion shall come with wrath, and until the time of completion it shall be fought against by war.

27. And the covenant shall prevail for many, ^C and it shall again return, and it shall be rebuilt in breadth and length, and according to the completion of times; and after seven and seventy times, and sixty-two years, until the time of the completion of war, and the desolation shall be removed while the covenant prevails over many weeks, and at the end of the week the sacrifice and the drink offering shall be removed, and in the temple there shall be the abomination of desolations until the completion; and a completion shall be given upon the desolation.

CHAPTER X

1. In the first year of Cyrus king of the Persians, a command was shown to Daniel, to whom the name Baltasar had been given; and the vision is true, and the command; ^D and the strong multitude shall understand the command, and I understood it in the vision.

2. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks.

3. I did not eat pleasant bread, and meat and wine did not enter into my mouth; I was not anointed with oil, until I had accomplished these three weeks of days.

4. And it happened on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, and I was upon the bank of the great river, which is the Tigris.

5. And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw, and behold a man...

^A clothed in linen, and his loins were girded with fine linen; and from his midst there was light, and his mouth was as if of the sea.

6. And his face was as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes ^A were as burning lamps, and his arms and his feet were as polished brass: and the voice of his speaking was as the voice of a multitude.

7. And I, Daniel, saw this great vision, and the men who were with me did not see this vision, but a great terror fell upon them, and they fled in haste.

8. And I was left alone, and I saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me; and behold, my spirit was turned within me to corruption, and I had no strength. ^B

9. And I did not hear the voice of his speech; and I was fallen on my face upon the ground.

10. And behold, a hand touched me, and raised me up upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

11. And he said to me, "Daniel, you are a man greatly beloved: consider the commandments that I speak to you, and stand upon your ground; for now I am sent to you." And when he spoke this commandment with me, I stood trembling.

12. And he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your face to understand and to humble yourself before the Lord your God, your word was heard, and I have come for your word.

13. But the prince of the kingdom of the Persians withstood me for ^C twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the first princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the king of the Persians.

14. And he said to me, "I have come to show you what will befall your people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for days."

15. And when he spoke these commands with me, I turned my face to the ground, and was silent.

16. And behold, as the likeness of a man's hand touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to him who stood before me, "My Lord; and as a vision was turned toward my side upon me, and there was no strength in me.

17. And how can the servant speak with my Lord? And I fainted, ^D and there is no strength in me, and my spirit is not left in me."

18. And he touched me again as one appearing as a man, and he strengthened me.

19. And he said to me, "You are a man greatly beloved, do not be afraid; be of good health, be brave, and be strong." And when he spoke with me, I regained strength, and said, "Let my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

20. And he said to me, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I will return to fight with the prince of the king of the Persians. And I was going out, and behold, the prince of the Greeks was coming in.

21. And I will show you that which is true in the writing of truth; and there is no one who helps me in these things, except Michael the angel..."

CHAPTER XI

1. And in the first year of Cyrus the king, he said to me to be strengthened and to act like a man.

2. And now I have come to show you the truth. Behold, three kings have stood in Persia, and the fourth shall be enriched with great wealth above all; and when he has become strong in his wealth, he shall rise up against every king of the Greeks. ^A

3. And a mighty king shall stand up, and he shall rule with great dominion, and he shall do as he wills.

4. And when he has become exalted, his kingdom shall be broken and divided into the four winds of the heaven; not according to his strength, nor according to his dominion with which he ruled, because his kingdom shall fail, and others shall learn these things. ^B

5. And the kingdom of Egypt shall be strengthened, and one of the princes shall prevail over him, and he shall rule: his dominion shall be a great dominion.

6. And at the end of the years he shall bring them: and the king of Egypt shall enter into the kingdom of the North to make treaties, and he shall not prevail, because his arm shall not maintain strength, and his arm shall grow numb, and the arms of those who come with him; and he shall remain for a time.

7. And a sprout from his root shall stand up in his place: and the king of the North shall come against his army in his strength, and shall make a tumult, and shall prevail. ^C

8. And their gods shall be overthrown along with their molten images, and their multitudes with the vessels of their desires, the silver and the gold, they shall carry away in captivity into Egypt; and it shall be a year for the king of the North.

9. And the king of Egypt shall enter into the kingdom for days, and shall return to his land.

10. And his son shall be provoked, and shall gather a large congregation of a multitude, and shall enter with it against the Syrians, he shall pass through, and return.

11. And the king of Egypt shall be greatly exasperated, and shall be indignant, and he shall fight with the king of the North; and he shall set in order a great multitude, and the congregation shall be delivered into his hands. ^D

12. And he shall take the congregation, and his heart shall be exalted, and he shall trouble many, and shall not be afraid.

13. And the king of the North shall return, and shall gather a congregation of a city greater than the former, according to the consummation of the time of the year: and he shall enter into it against him with a large multitude, and with much wealth.

14. And in those times thoughts shall rise up against the king of Egypt, and he shall repair the ruins of your people: and he shall be stirred up, that he may cause the prophecy to stand; and they shall strike.

15. And the king of the North shall come, and shall turn his arms, and shall take the fortified city: and the arms

of the king of Egypt shall stand with his princes, and there shall be no strength in him to withstand him.

16. And he that comes against him shall do according to his will, and there shall be none to withstand him; and he shall stand in the land, and all the things that are in his hands shall be accomplished. ^A

17. And he shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall make covenants with him; and he shall give him a daughter of mankind, to destroy her, and she shall not persist, and it shall not be.

18. And he shall set his face to the sea, and shall take many, and shall turn the anger of their reproach in an oath according to his reproach.

19. He shall turn his face to strengthen his land, and he shall stumble, and shall fall, and shall not be found. ^B

20. And there shall arise from his root a plant of the kingdom to a standing, a man striking the glory of the king.

21. And in the last days he shall be crushed, and not in anger, nor in war; and there shall rise up over his place a contemptible one, and the glory of the king shall not be given to him; and he shall come suddenly; and a king shall be strengthened in his inheritance.

22. And the arms that are crushed shall be crushed from before him.

23. And with the covenant and the people joined with him, he shall act with deceit, and he shall work against a strong nation with ^C a very small nation.

24. Suddenly he shall devastate the city, and shall do what his fathers did not, nor the fathers of his fathers; he shall give them prey and spoils and wealth, and shall meditate against the strong city, and his thoughts shall be in vain.

25. And his strength shall be aroused against the king of Egypt with a great crowd, and the king of Egypt shall be provoked to war with a very strong crowd; and he shall not stand, because a design shall be meditated against him.

26. And his anxieties shall consume him, and they shall turn him back, and they shall pass by, and he shall get the mastery, and many wounded shall fall.

27. And two kings only shall feast upon it, and they shall eat at one table, and they shall lie, and they shall not prosper; for the end is yet for a time. ^D

28. And he shall return to his land with much wealth, and his heart shall be against the covenant of the holy one; he shall act, and return to his land.

29. At the time he shall return; and he shall enter into Egypt, and it shall not be as the first and as the last.

30. And Romans shall come, and shall thrust him out; and they shall threaten him, and he shall return, and shall be angered against the covenant of the holy one, and he shall act; and he shall return, and shall meditate against them, for that they forsook the covenant of the holy one.

31. And arms from him shall stand, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of fear; and they shall remove the sacrifice, and shall give the abomination of desolation. ^A 32. And in the sins of the covenant they shall pollute the hardened people: and the people that know these things shall be strengthened, and shall act. 33. And those of the people who are wise shall understand among the many, and shall fall by the sword, and shall grow old in it, and shall be stained in captivity and in the pillage of days. 34. And when they shall be afflicted, they shall gather small strength: and many shall be gathered unto them in the city, and many as in a division of parts. 35. And of them that are wise, some shall be troubled that they may purify themselves, and that they may be chosen, and that they may be purified until the time of the consummation: for there is still time until the hours. ^B 36. And the king shall do according to his will, and he shall be angered, and he shall be exalted above every god, and he shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper, until the wrath is completed; for in him, the consummation is made. 37. And he shall not regard the gods of his fathers, and he shall not regard the desire of women, because he shall be exalted in everything, and strong nations shall be subject to him. 38. And he shall move his place, and he shall honor the god whom his fathers knew not, with gold, and silver, and precious stone. ^C 39. And in his desires he shall act against cities, and onto a strong fortress he shall come with a strange god; whomsoever he shall acknowledge, he shall multiply glory, and shall rule over them unto much, and shall distribute the land as a gift. 40. And in the hour of the consummation the king of Egypt shall strike him with his horn, and the king of the North shall be rushed upon him with chariots, and with many horses, and with many ships, and he shall enter into the land of Egypt. 41. And he shall invade my land, and many shall be offended, and these shall be saved from his hand, Edom, and Moab, and the head of the sons of Ammon. 42. And he shall send his hand into the lands, and in the land of Egypt there shall not be in it anyone that is saved. ^D 43. And he shall seize the place of gold, and the place of silver, and all the desire of Egypt, and the Libyans and Ethiopians shall be in his crowd. 44. And a rumor shall trouble him from the East and the North; and he shall come forth in great fury and with the sword, to destroy and to kill many. 45. And he shall set his tabernacle then between the seas, and the mountain of the holy will; and the hour of his consummation shall come, and there shall be none to help him.

CHAPTER XII.

tribulation, such as has not been since they began to be until that day. And in that day all the people shall be exalted, whoever is found written in the book. 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall arise, some to eternal life, and others to reproach, and others to dispersion, and eternal shame. 3. And the wise shall shine as the luminaries of heaven, and they that confirm my words as the stars of heaven for ever and ever. 4. But thou, Daniel, shut the commands and seal the book until the time of the end, until many are frantic, and the earth is filled with iniquity. 5. And I, Daniel, looked, and behold two others stood, one on this side of the bank of the river, and one on that side. 6. And I said to him who was clothed in linen, who was above the water of the river: When then shall be the end of these wonders of which thou hast spoken? 7. And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the water of the river, and he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever, that it is for a time and times and half a time, the end of the scattering of the power of the holy people, and all these things shall be finished. 8. And I heard, and I did not understand, and I said: My Lord, what is the solution of this word, and what are these parables? 9. And he said: Go, Daniel, for the commands are hidden and sealed until the time that many are tested and sanctified. 10. And sinners shall sin, and all the sinners shall not understand, but they that are wise shall attend. 11. From the time that the continued sacrifice is removed, and the abomination of desolation is prepared to be given, a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at a thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13. And thou, go thy way and rest, for there are yet days and hours to the completion of the end; and thou shalt rest, and thou shalt arise to thy glory at the end of the days. ^A Daniel according to the LXX was copied from a manuscript having this note: Was copied from the Tetrapla with which it was also collated. ^B

CHAPTER XIII. Susanna.

1. And there was a man dwelling in Babylon, and his name was Joacim. 2. ^C And he took a wife, and her name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, very beautiful and fearing the Lord. 3. And her parents were just, and they taught their daughter according to the law of Moses. 4. And Joacim was very rich, and he ^D had a garden adjoining his house; and to him the Jews resorted, because he was more honorable than all.

a garden adjacent to his house; and the Jews approached him, because he was more honorable than everyone.

5. And two senior judges were appointed in that year, of whom the Lord spoke: For iniquity has gone forth from Babylon from senior judges, who seemed to govern the people.

6. And lawsuits from other cities were coming to them.

7. Now when they saw a woman elegant in form, the woman of their brother from the sons of Israel named Susanna, the daughter of Chelcia, the wife of Joacim, walking in her husband's orchard at the afternoon hour. ^A

8. And when they had lusted after her.

9. They perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, so as not to look toward heaven, nor to remember righteous judgments.

10. And both were agitated by the urge concerning her, and the one did not acknowledge to the other the evil which possessed them regarding her; nor was the woman aware of this matter.

12. And as it became dawn, coming one after another, fearing one another, hastening as to who would appear to her first, and speak with her.

13. And behold, she was walking according to custom; and one of the seniors had arrived; and behold, the other came, and one inquired of the other, saying: Why did you come out so early in the morning without taking me?

14. And they confessed to one another their pain.

19. And one said to the other: Let us go to her. And joining together, they approached her, and were using force against her. ^B

22. And Susanna said to them: I know that if I do this, it is death to me; and if I do not do it, I shall not escape your hands.

23. But it is more honorable for me to fall into your hands without doing it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.

28. But the wicked men turned back, threatening among themselves, and laying snares, that they might destroy her with death. And they came to the Synagogue of the city, where they dwelt, and all the sons of Israel who were there sat down together. ^D

29. And the two seniors and judges stood up and said: Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelcia, who is the wife of Joacim. And they immediately called her.

30. And when the woman arrived with her father and mother, and her menservants and maidservants, being in number fifty, the four children of Susanna were also present.

31. Now the woman was very delicate.

32. And the wicked men commanded that she be uncovered, that they might be filled with her beauty of desire.

33. And all who were of her family, and all who knew her, wept.

^A 34. The elders and the judges laid their hands upon her head. 35. Her heart trusted in the Lord her God; and looking up, she wept within herself, saying: "O Lord God eternal, who knowest all things before they come to pass, Thou knowest that I have not done what these wicked men have falsely set against me." And the Lord heard her prayer.

36. And the two elders said: "We were walking in her husband’s garden." 37. "And going around the stadium, we saw her resting with a man, and standing, we observed them having their custom together." 38. "And they did not know that we were standing by," and then we spoke to one another, saying: "Let us discover who they are." 39. "And having come up, we recognized her; but the young man fled, having veiled himself." 40. "We took hold of her and asked who the man was, but she did not tell us who he was: these things we testify." 41. And the whole assembly believed them, as they were elders and judges of the people.

45. And behold, an angel of the Lord, as she was being led away to perish, gave, as he was commanded, a spirit of intelligence to the young lad who was Daniel.

48. And when Daniel had separated the crowd and stood in their midst, he said: "Thus, foolish sons of Israel, not questioning, nor recognizing what is manifest, have you condemned to death a daughter of Israel?" ^B 51. "And now, separate them from each other far apart, that I may examine them." And when they were separated, Daniel said to the assembly: "Now do not look at the fact that they are elders, saying: 'They would not lie,' but I shall examine them by the matters that occur to me."

52. And he called one of them, and they brought the elder to the young lad; and Daniel said to him: "Hear, hear, O you who have grown old in evil days, now your sins which you committed formerly have come [upon you]." 53. "You who were commissioned to judge, delivering judgments of death, and you condemned the innocent, but the guilty you let go, the Lord saying: 'The innocent and righteous you shall not slay.'"

54. "Now therefore, under what tree have you seen them staying together?" And the wicked man said: "Under a mastic tree." ^C 55. And the young lad said: "You have lied well against your own soul; for the angel of the Lord shall cut your soul in two this day."

56. And having removed him, he said to bring the other, and to him he said: "Why has your seed been perverted like that of Sidon, and not like that of Judah? Beauty has deceived you, and small concupiscence." 57. "And thus you did to the daughters of Israel, and they, fearing, conversed with you; but the daughter of Judah did not endure your sickness in iniquity." 58. "Now therefore tell me, under what tree…"

did you catch them conversing with each other?" And he said, "Under a holm-oak."

59. And Daniel said, "Rightly have you lied against your own head! For already the angel of the Lord, having received the sentence from God, stands waiting with his sword to cut you in two, until he has destroyed you."

60. And the entire assembly shouted with a loud voice and blessed God, who saves those who hope in him; and they rose up against the two elders—for Daniel had convicted them out of their own mouths that they were false witnesses.

61. And they did to them as they had wickedly conspired against their sister, according to the law of Moses; and they put them to death. ^A And innocent blood was saved that day.

62. And they put muzzles on them, and leading them out, they cast them into the ravine; at that same time the angel of the Lord cast fire into the midst of them, and innocent blood was saved on that day.

63. Therefore the younger ones are beloved for their simplicity.

64. And let us attend to the mighty sons among the younger; for the younger will practice piety, and there will be in them a spirit of knowledge and understanding unto the age of ages.

CHAPTER XIV

FROM THE PROPHECY OF HABAKKUK, SON OF JESUS, OF THE TRIBE OF LEVI

1. There was a man who was a priest, whose name was Daniel, son of Abal, a companion of the king of Babylon.

2. And there was an idol of Bel, which the Babylonians worshipped; and every day there were spent upon it twelve artabas of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six measures of wine.

3. And the king worshipped it, and went every day and worshipped it. Daniel, however, prayed to the Lord. And the king said to Daniel, "Why do you not worship Bel?" ^B

4. And Daniel said to the king, "I do not worship idols made by hands, but the living God, who created the heaven and the earth, and who has dominion over all flesh."

5. And the king said to him, "Is this not a god? Do you not see how much is consumed by him every day?"

6. And Daniel laughed and said, "Do not be deceived, O king; for this is clay inside and brass outside; and I swear to you by the Lord the God of gods, that this one has never eaten anything at any time."

7. And the king, being angry, called the priests of the temple and said to them, "Show me the one who eats these things prepared for Bel; and if you do not, you shall die." ^C

8. And Daniel said to the king, "Let it be so; if I do not prove that it is not Bel who eats these things, I shall die, and all those who are with me."

9. Now the priests of Bel were seventy, besides women and children. And they led the king into the idol temple.

10. And the food was set before the king and Daniel; and wine mixed was brought in, and was set before Bel. ^D

11. And Daniel said: You yourself see that these things are set, O king.

12. You shall seal the keys of the temple, O king, when it is shut. And the word pleased the king.

13. ^A Daniel ordered those who were with him to cast out everyone from the temple, and to cover the whole temple with ashes, no one of those who were outside knowing it. And then, having sealed the temple, he ordered it to be sealed with the king's signet ring and with the signet rings of certain noble priests; and it was done so.

14. And it came to pass on the morrow that they came to the place; and the priests of Bel, having entered through secret doors, ate everything that was set before Bel, and drank the wine.

15. And Daniel said: Look at your seals, ^B if they remain, O men, ye priests; and you also, O king, consider whether anything has been done contrary to you.

16. And they found the seal as it was, and they took off the seal.

17. And having opened the doors, they saw that all the things which had been set before it were consumed, and the tables were empty; and the king rejoiced, and said to Daniel: Great is Bel, and there is no deceit in him.

18. And Daniel laughed vehemently, and said to the king: Come, see the deceit of the priests. And Daniel said: O king, whose footsteps are these?

19. And the king said: ^C Of men, and of women, and of children.

20. And he went into the house where the priests were dwelling, and he found the meat of Bel, and the wine; and Daniel showed the king the secret doors, through which the priests were entering and consuming the things set before Bel.

21. And the king led them out of the temple of Bel, and handed them over to Daniel, and the expense that was for him he gave to Daniel; but Bel he destroyed.

22. And there was a dragon in the same place, and the Babylonians were worshipping it.

23. And the king said to Daniel: Will you also say of this one, that he is of bronze? Behold, he lives, and eats, ^D and drinks; worship him.

25. And Daniel said: O king, give me authority, and I will slay the dragon without iron and club. And the king granted it to him, and said to him: It is given to you.

26. And Daniel taking thirty minas of pitch, and fat, and hair, boiled them together, and made a lump, and cast it into the mouth of the dragon, and it eating, burst asunder. And he showed it to the king, saying: Is this what you worship, O king?

27. And they were gathered from the country, all against Daniel, and said: The king has become a Jew; he has destroyed Bel, and killed the dragon.

29. And the king seeing that the multitude of the country was gathered against him, called his companions, and said: I deliver Daniel to destruction.

31. Now there was a pit in which seven lions were kept, to whom the schemers against the king were delivered, and two bodies of condemned men were provided for them daily. ^A 39. The crowds threw Daniel into that pit, that he might be devoured, and that he might not even obtain burial. And Daniel was in the pit for six days. 32. And it came to pass on the sixth day, that Habakkuk had bread crumbled into a bowl with pottage, and a vessel of mixed wine, and he was going into the field to the reapers. 33. And the angel of the Lord spoke to Habakkuk, saying: Thus says the Lord God to you: The breakfast that you have, carry to Daniel in the lions' pit in Babylon. ^B 34. And Habakkuk said: Lord God, I have not seen Babylon, and I do not know where the pit is. 35. And the angel of the Lord took him by the crown of his head, and set him over the pit which was in Babylon. 36. And Habakkuk said to Daniel: Arise, eat the breakfast that the Lord God has sent you. 37. And Daniel said: The Lord God has remembered me, and He has not forsaken those who love Him. ^C 38. And Daniel ate. The angel of the Lord set Habakkuk back from where he had taken him on that same day: but the Lord God remembered Daniel. 39. Moreover, after this, the king went out weeping for Daniel, and looking into the pit, he sees him sitting. 40. And crying out, the king said: Great is the Lord God, and there is no other besides Him. 41. And the king brought Daniel out of the pit, and cast those who were the authors of his destruction into the pit before Daniel, and they were devoured. ^D

DANIEL ACCORDING TO THEODOTION. CHAPTER I.

1. In the third year of the reign of Joakim king of Judah, Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2. And the Lord gave Joakim king of Judah into his hand, and part of the vessels of the house of God: and he carried them into the land of Sennaar, into the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. 3. And the king said to Asphanez, master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in some of the children of the captivity of the children of Israel, and of the seed of the kingdom, and of the phorthommin. 4. Boys in whom there is no blemish, beautiful in appearance, and intelligent in all wisdom, and knowing knowledge, and thinking prudence, and in whom there is strength to stand in the king's house, and that he should teach them the letters and language of the Chaldeans. 5. And the king appointed for them a daily portion,

from the king's table, and from the wine of his drink, and to nourish them for three years, and after that they should stand before the king. ^A

6. And there were of the children of Judah, Daniel, and Ananias, and Azarias, and Misael. 7. And the chief eunuch gave them names: to Daniel, Baltasar; and to Ananias, Sedrach; and to Azarias, Abdenago; and to Misael, Misach. 8. And Daniel determined in his heart that he would not be defiled by the king's table, nor by the wine of his drink; and he besought the chief eunuch that he might not be defiled. 9. And God gave Daniel grace and compassion before the chief eunuch.

10. And the chief eunuch said to Daniel: I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; lest he should see your faces looking sad, more than the youths of your own age, and you endanger my head to the king. 11. And Daniel said to Amallasar, whom the chief eunuch had set over Daniel, Azarias, Ananias, and Misael: 12. Prove, I beseech thee, thy servants for ten days, and let them give us of the seeds of the earth, and we will eat, and drink water. ^B 13. And let our countenances be seen before thee, and the countenances of the youths who eat of the king's table; and as thou seest, do with thy servants. 14. And he heard them in this word, and proved them for ten days. 15. And after the end of ten days, their countenances appeared good, and they were stronger in flesh than the youths who were eating of the king's table. 16. And it came to pass that Amallasar took away their food, and the wine of their drink, and gave them seeds. 17. And to the four youths, God gave wisdom and understanding in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel understood in all visions and dreams. ^C 18. And after the end of the days that the king said to bring them in, the chief eunuch brought them in before Nabuchodonosor. 19. And the king spoke with them; and there were not found of all of them any like Daniel, and Ananias, and Azarias, and Misael; and they stood before the king. 20. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the enchanters and the magicians who were in all his kingdom. ^D 21. And Daniel lived until the first year of Cyrus the king.

CHAPTER II.

1. In the second year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, Nabuchodonosor dreamed a dream, and his spirit was troubled, and his sleep departed from him. ^A 2. And the king said to summon the enchanters, and the magicians, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, to declare to the king his dream. And they entered and stood before the king. 3. And the king said to them: I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream. 4. And the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Syriac: O king, live forever; do you tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare its interpretation. 5. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans: The word has departed from me; if therefore you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be destroyed, and your houses shall be plundered. 6. But if you tell me the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, and presents, and much honor; only tell me the dream and its interpretation. 7. They answered a second time, and said: O king, tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare its interpretation. 8. And the king answered and said: In truth I know that you are buying time, ^B because you know that the word has departed from me. 9. If therefore you do not tell me the dream, your decree is plain, and I know that you are agreed to speak a false and corrupt word before me, until the time passes; tell me my dream, and I shall know that you will also tell me its interpretation. 10. The Chaldeans answered again before the king, and said: There is no man upon the dry land who shall be able to make known the king's word; since no great king or prince asks such a word of any enchanter, magician, and Chaldean. 11. For the word that the king asks is difficult, and there is no other who shall declare it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with any flesh, hence it cannot happen as you think. ^C 12. Then the king in a great fury and rage said to destroy the wise men of Babylon. 13. And the decree went forth, and the wise men were being killed; and they sought Daniel and his friends to kill them. 14. Then Daniel answered with counsel and discretion Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon. 15. And he inquired of him, saying: O captain of the king, why has this impudent decree gone forth from ^D

^A the face of the king? Then Arioch informed Daniel of the matter.

16. And Daniel went in, and asked of the king, that he would give him time, and that he might reveal to the king the interpretation of his dream.

17. And Daniel went into his house, and made the thing known to Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, his friends.

18. And they sought the mercies of the God of heaven concerning this mystery, that Daniel and his friends might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night; and Daniel blessed the God of heaven, and said:

20. Blessed be the name of God from eternity and unto eternity; for his wisdom and understanding are.

21. And he changes times and seasons, he sets up kings and removes them, giving wisdom to the wise, and prudence to those who know understanding.

22. He reveals deep and hidden things, ^B knowing what is in the darkness, and the light is with him.

23. To thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, because thou hast given me wisdom and strength, and now hast made known to me what we asked of thee, and that thou hast made known to me the vision of the king.

24. And straightway Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon, and said to him: Destroy not the wise men of Babylon, but bring me in before the king, and I will declare to the king the interpretation of the vision.

25. Then Arioch in haste brought Daniel in before the king, and said to him: I have found a man ^C of the sons of the captivity of Judea, who will declare the interpretation to the king.

26. And the king answered, and said to Daniel, whose name was Baltasar: If thou art able to make known to me the dream which I saw, and the interpretation thereof?

27. And Daniel answered before the king, and said: The mystery which the king asks, the wise men, the magicians, the enchanters, the gazarenes have not the power to make known to the king.

28. But there is a God in heaven revealing mysteries, and he has made known to king Nabuchodonosor what must come to pass in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these.

29. O king, thy thoughts upon thy bed ^D ascended, as to what must come to pass hereafter; and he who reveals mysteries has made known to thee what must come to pass.

30. And to me this mystery has been revealed, not for the wisdom that is in me more than in all the living, but that I might make the interpretation manifest to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

31. Thou, O king, wast beholding, and lo, a great image. That image was great, and its appearance was exceeding

CHAPTER II

^A terrible, standing before thy face, and its appearance was ^B fearful.

32. The image, whose head was of pure gold, its hands and its breast and its arms were silver, its belly and its thighs were bronze.

33. And its legs were iron, its feet in part iron, in part earthen.

34. Thou wast looking, until a stone was cut out from a mountain without hands: and it struck the image upon the feet which were iron, and earthen, and it ground them to pieces.

35. Then were the iron, the earthen, the bronze, the silver, and the gold ground to pieces together, and they became as dust from the summer threshing floor, and the multitude of the spirit took them up, and every place was not found for them: and the stone that struck the image became a great mountain, and filled all the earth.

36. This is the dream: and the interpretation of it we will tell before the king.

37. Thou, O king of kings, to whom the God of heaven gave a kingdom strong, and mighty, and honorable in every place.

38. Where the children of men dwell; the beasts of the field, and the birds of the sky, and the fishes of the sea he has given into thy hand, and has appointed thee lord of all. Thou art the head of gold.

39. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and a third kingdom, which is bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.

40. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: for as iron grinds and tames, so shall it grind and tame all things.

41. And whereas thou didst see the feet, and the toes, in part iron, and in part earthen, the kingdom shall be divided within itself, as thou didst see the iron mixed with the earthen clay.

42. And the toes of the feet were in part iron, and in part of the kingdom some shall be strong, and from it shall be broken.

43. And whereas thou didst see iron mixed with earthen clay, they shall be mixed in the seed of men, and they shall not cleave one to another, just as iron is not mixed with earthen.

44. And in the days of those kings ^D shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which for the ages shall not be destroyed: and his kingdom to another people shall not be left; it shall grind and winnow all kingdoms, and it shall stand for the ages.

45. Just as thou didst see, that from the mountain a stone was cut without hands, and it ground the earthen, the iron, the bronze, the silver, the gold; the great God has made known to the king what must come to pass after these things: and the dream is true, and the interpretation of it is faithful.

46. Then king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and did obeisance to Daniel, and said that manaa and sweetness of odors should be offered.

47. And the king answered and said to Daniel: In truth

^A your God is the God of gods, and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery. 48. And the king magnified Daniel, and gave him great and many gifts, and set him over the whole land of Babylon, and as chief of the satraps, and over all the province of Babylon. 49. And Daniel asked of the king, and he set over the works of the province of Babylon Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago; and Daniel was in the court of the king.

Chapter III

1. In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar, the king made a golden image; its height was sixty cubits, and its breadth six cubits; and he set it up in the plain of Deira, in the province of Babylon. 2. And Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to assemble all the consuls, and the generals, and the toparchs, the governors, and the tyrants, and those who were in authority, and all the ^B princes of the regions, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 3. And the toparchs, consuls, generals, governors, great tyrants, those in authority, and all the princes of the regions were gathered to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4. And a herald cried out mightily: It is said to you, O nations, peoples, tribes, ^C and tongues. 5. At whatever hour you hear the sound of the trumpet, and of the pipe, and of the lute, and of the sackbut, and of the psaltery, and of the symphony, and of every kind of music, falling down, worship the golden image which Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. 6. And whoever does not fall down and worship, at that same hour he shall be cast into the burning furnace of fire. 7. And it happened that when the peoples heard the sound of the trumpet, and of the pipe, and of the lute, and of the sackbut, and of the psaltery, and of the symphony, and of ^D every kind of music, the peoples, tribes, and tongues fell down and worshipped the golden image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up, over against it. 8. Then men of the Chaldeans came forward, and accused the Jews. 9. They answered and said to King Nebuchadnezzar: O king, live forever. 10. You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the trumpet, and of the pipe, and of the lute, and of the sackbut, and of the psaltery, and of the symphony, and of every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11. And whoever does not fall down and worship, shall be cast into the burning furnace of fire. 12. There are therefore men, Jews, whom you have set over the works of the province of Babylon, Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago; those men have not obeyed

^A your decree, O king, and do not serve your gods, and do not worship the golden image which you have set up.

13. Then Nabuchodonosor in fury and rage said to bring Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago; and those men were brought before the king.

14. And Nabuchodonosor answered and said to them: Is it true, Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, that you do not serve my gods, and do not worship the golden image which I have set up?

15. Now therefore be ready, so that at whatever time you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, and lyre, sambuca, and psaltery, and symphony, and every kind of music, falling down you may worship the image which I have made; but if you do not worship, in that same hour you shall be cast into the burning furnace of fire; and who is the God who will deliver you from my hands?

16. And Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago answered and said to King Nabuchodonosor: We have no need to answer you concerning this matter.

17. For our God whom we serve is ^B in heaven, and is able to deliver us from the burning furnace of fire, and He will deliver us from your hands, O king.

18. And if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, and do not worship the golden image which you have set up.

19. Then Nabuchodonosor was filled with fury, and the aspect of his face was changed over Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and he said: Kindle the furnace sevenfold, until it burns to the end.

20. And he told the men robust in strength to bind Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and to cast them into the burning furnace of fire.

21. Then those men were bound with their sarabara, and with their tiaras, and with their leg-guards, ^C and with their garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning furnace of fire.

22. For the word of the king was urgent: and the furnace was heated extremely. And that flame of fire killed those men who had accused Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago ^D round about.

23. And those three men, Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, fell into the midst of the burning furnace of fire, bound.

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

25. Now Azarias stood with them, and prayed as follows: and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said:

26. Blessed are you, O Lord God of our fathers, and worthy to be praised, and glorious is your name forever.

27. For you are just in all that you have done to us, and all your works are true, and your ways are straight, and all your judgments are true.

28. And you have done works of truth according to all that you have brought upon us, and upon the holy city of our fathers, Jerusalem; for in truth and judgment you have brought all these things upon us because of our sins. 29. For we have sinned, and committed iniquity by departing from you, and we have sinned in all things. 30. And we have not listened to your commandments, nor have we kept them, nor have we done as you have commanded us, that it might be well with us. 31. And all that you have done to us, ^A in true judgment you have done it. 32. And you have delivered us into the hands of lawless enemies, of most hateful apostates, and to an unjust king, and most wicked beyond all the earth, you have delivered us. 33. And now it is not for us to open our mouth; shame and reproach have become the portion of your servants, and of those who worship you. 34. Do not deliver us up forever for your name's sake, and do not dissipate your covenant. 35. And do not remove your mercy from us for the sake of Abraham beloved by you, and for the sake of Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one. 36. To whom you spoke, saying, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is by the seashore. 37. For, O Master, we have been diminished beyond all nations, and we are humble in all the earth today because of our sins. 38. And there is not in this time prince, and prophet, and leader, nor burnt offering, ^B nor sacrifice, nor oblation, nor incense, a place to offer first fruits before you, and to find mercy. 39. But in a contrite soul, and with a spirit of humility, may we be accepted. 40. As in the burnt offering of rams and bulls, and as in ten thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice be today before you, and that it may be accomplished after you; for there is no shame to those who trust in you. 41. And now we follow you with all our heart, and we fear you, and we seek your face. 42. Do not put us to shame, but deal with us ^C according to your forbearance, and according to the multitude of your mercy. 43. And deliver us according to your wonderful works, and give glory to your name, O Lord. 44. And let all those be put to shame who show evil to your servants, and may they be put to shame from all their power, and let their strength be broken. 45. And let them know that you are the Lord, the only God, and glorious over all the world. 46. And the servants of the king, who were casting them in, would not cease to heat the furnace with naphtha, and tow, and pitch, and vine-branch. 47. And the flame streamed ^D above the furnace forty-nine cubits.

48. And it erupted, and burned those whom it found around the furnace of the Chaldeans. ^A

49. But the Angel of the Lord descended at the same time with them, who were with Azarias, into the furnace, and shook the flame of the fire out of the furnace, and made the middle of the furnace as if a whistling wind of dew.

50. And the fire did not touch them at all, nor did it grieve them, nor did it trouble them.

51. Then the three, as with one mouth, were praising, and glorifying, and blessing God in the furnace, saying:

52. Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers, and worthy to be praised, and highly exalted for ever; and blessed is the holy name of thy glory, and worthy to be praised, and highly exalted for ever. ^B

53. Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holy glory, and worthy to be praised, and most glorious for ever.

54. Blessed art thou on the throne of thy kingdom, and worthy to be praised, and highly exalted for ever.

55. Blessed art thou, who beholdest the depths, sitting upon the Cherubim, and worthy to be praised, and highly exalted for ever.

56. Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven, and worthy to be praised, and glorious for ever.

57. Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

58. Bless the Lord, O ye angels of the Lord; praise and highly exalt him for ever. ^C

59. Bless the Lord, O ye heavens; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

60. Bless the Lord, all ye waters that are above the heavens; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

61. Bless the Lord, all ye powers of the Lord; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

62. Bless the Lord, O ye sun and moon; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

63. Bless the Lord, O ye stars of heaven; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

64. Bless the Lord, every rain and dew; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

65. Bless the Lord, all ye spirits of God; praise and highly exalt him for ever. ^D

66. Bless the Lord, O ye fire and heat; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

67. Bless the Lord, O ye cold and summer heat; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

68. Bless the Lord, O ye dews and hoar frosts; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

69. Bless the Lord, O ye frost and cold; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

70. Bless the Lord, O ye ice and snow; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

71. Bless the Lord, O ye nights and days; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

72. Bless the Lord, O ye light and darkness; praise and highly exalt him for ever.

73. Bless the Lord, O lightning and clouds; praise and highly exalt him for ever. ^A 74. Let the earth bless the Lord; let it praise and highly exalt him for ever. 75. Bless the Lord, O mountains and hills; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 76. Bless the Lord, O all things growing on the earth; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 77. Bless the Lord, O ye fountains; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 78. Bless the Lord, O ye seas and rivers; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 79. Bless the Lord, O ye whales and all that move in the waters; praise and highly exalt him for ever. ^B 80. Bless the Lord, O all ye birds of the air; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 81. Bless the Lord, O all ye beasts and cattle; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 82. Bless the Lord, O ye sons of men; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 83. Bless the Lord, O Israel; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 84. Bless the Lord, O ye priests; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 85. Bless the Lord, O ye servants of the Lord; praise and highly exalt him for ever. ^C 86. Bless the Lord, O ye spirits and souls of the just; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 87. Bless the Lord, O ye holy and humble of heart; praise and highly exalt him for ever. 88. Bless the Lord, O Anania, Azaria, and Misael; praise and highly exalt him for ever. For he rescued us from the grave, and saved us from the hand of death; and he rescued us from the midst of the burning flame, and from the midst of the fire he rescued us. 89. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is for ever. 90. Bless the Lord, all ye that worship the Lord, the God of gods; praise and give thanks, for his mercy is for all ages. ^D 91. And Nabuchodonosor heard them praising, and he was amazed, and arose in haste, and said to his nobles: Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? And they answered and said to the king: It is true, O king. 92. And the king answered and said: Behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and there is no corruption in them, and the appearance of the fourth is like the Son of God. 93. Then Nabuchodonosor approached the door of the burning fiery furnace, and said: Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago, ye servants of the God of the

Most High, come forth, and come hither. And Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago came forth from the midst of the fire. ^A

94. Then the satraps, and the leaders, and the toparchs, and the powerful men of the king gathered together, and they beheld the men, that the fire had no power over their bodies, and the hair of their head was not burned, and their garments ^B were not changed, and the smell of fire was not upon them.

95. And Nabuchodonosor the king worshipped before the Lord, and answered and said: Blessed be the God of Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, who sent his angel, and rescued his servants, because they trusted in him; and they changed the word of the king, and delivered their bodies into the fire, that they might not serve, nor worship any god, but their own God.

96. And I make a decree, that every people, tribe, and tongue, whoever shall speak blasphemy against the God of Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, shall be destroyed, and their houses shall be for a spoil: because there is no other God who can save in this way.

97. Then the king promoted Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago in the region of Babylon, and increased them, and deemed them worthy to lead all the Jews who were in his kingdom.

98. Nabuchodonosor the king to all the peoples, tribes, and tongues, dwelling in all the earth, peace be multiplied unto you.

99. The signs and wonders which the Most High God hath done with me, it hath pleased me to announce to you, how great and strong they are. ^C

100. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his power is from generation to generation.

CAPUT IV

1. I, Nabuchodonosor, was at ease in my house, and flourishing on my throne, and fat among my people.

2. I saw a dream, and it terrified me, and I was troubled on my bed, and the visions of my head confounded me.

3. And a decree was made by me, that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.

4. And the soothsayers, the magicians, the gazareni, and the Chaldeans came in, and I told the dream before them, and they did not make known to me the interpretation thereof.

5. Until another came in before me, Daniel, whose name is Baltasar according to the name of my god, who hath the holy Spirit of God in himself; and I told the dream before him. ^D

6. Baltasar, prince of the soothsayers, whom I know to be such that the holy Spirit of God is in thee, and no mystery is impossible to thee: hear the vision of the dream which I saw, and tell me the interpretation thereof.

7. And the visions of my head on my bed I beheld, and lo, a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height of it was great.

^A 8. And the tree was magnified, and grew strong, and the height of it reached unto heaven, and the breadth of it to the ends of all the earth. 9. Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit much, and food for all was in it, and under it the wild beasts dwelt, and in its branches the birds of the heaven inhabited; and from it all flesh was nourished. 10. I was beholding in the vision of the night upon my bed, and lo, a Watcher, and a Holy One came down from heaven. 11. And he called out in strength, and thus said: Cut down the tree, and pluck off its branches, and shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the beasts be moved from under it, and the birds from its branches. 12. Nevertheless, leave the stem of its roots in the earth, and in a chain of iron and brass, and in the herb that is without, and it shall lodge in the dew of heaven, and with the beasts shall its portion be in the grass of the earth. 13. Its heart shall be changed from men, and the heart of a beast shall be given to it, and seven times shall pass over it. 14. By the decree of the Watcher is the word, and the holy thing is the request, that the living may know that the Most High is Lord of the kingdom of men, and to whomsoever He will, He gives it, and the one held as naught among men He sets over it. 15. This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, saw, and you, Belteshazzar, tell the interpretation before me, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to declare the interpretation to me; but you are able, because the holy Spirit of God is in you. 16. Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was amazed for about one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered and said: Belteshazzar, let not the dream and the interpretation trouble you. Belteshazzar answered and said: My lord, the dream be to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies. 17. The tree which you saw magnified and strengthened, whose height reached unto heaven, and its breadth to all the earth; ^D 18. Whose leaves were flourishing, and its fruit much, and food for all was in it; under which the wild beasts dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven inhabited: 19. You are, O king, because you were magnified and grew strong, and your greatness grew and reached unto heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. 20. And because the king saw a Watcher, and a Holy One coming down from heaven, and he said, Cut down the tree, and destroy it, yet leave the stem of its roots in the earth, and in a chain of iron and brass, and in the herb that is without, and it shall lodge in the dew of heaven, and with the wild beasts shall its portion be, until seven times be changed over him.

21. This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which hath come upon my lord the king: that they shall cast thee out from among men, and thy dwelling shall be with the wild beasts. ^A 22. And thy body shall be wetted with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will. 23. But whereas it was said, Leave the root of the tree: thy kingdom shall remain unto thee, after thou shalt have known the heavenly power. 24. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to thee, and redeem thy sins with alms, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor: perhaps there shall be long-suffering for thy sins. 25. All these things came upon King Nabuchodonosor. 26. After twelve months he was walking in the temple of his kingdom in Babylon. 27. And the king answered and said: Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for a royal house, by the might of my strength? 28. While the word was yet in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: To thee it is said, O King Nabuchodonosor: thy kingdom is passed from thee. 29. And they shall cast thee out from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the wild beasts; and they shall feed thee with hay like an ox, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, ^C and giveth it to whomsoever He will. 30. The same hour the word was fulfilled upon Nabuchodonosor, and he was driven from among men, and he ate hay like an ox, and his body was wetted with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like that of lions, and his nails like those of birds. 31. And at the end of the days I, Nabuchodonosor, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and my understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and glorified Him that liveth for ever, because His power is an everlasting power, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. 32. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and He doeth according to His will in the power of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth. And there is none that shall resist His hand, and say to Him: What hast Thou done? 33. At the same time my understanding returned unto me, and I came to the honor of my kingdom, and my form returned unto me; and my tyrants and my magnates sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and greater majesty was added unto me. 34. And now I, Nabuchodonosor, praise, and extol, and glorify the King of heaven, because all His works

are true, and His ways are judgment, and those who walk in pride He is able to humble. ^A

CAPUT V.

1. Baltasar the king made a great banquet for his thousand lords, and opposite the thousand was the wine.

2. While drinking, Baltasar the king said that they should bring the golden and silver vessels which Nabuchodonosor his father had carried away from the temple that was in Jerusalem, and that the king, and his lords, and his concubines, and his consorts might drink from them.

3. Then the silver and golden vessels were brought, which Nabuchodonosor had carried away from the temple of God which had been in Jerusalem: and the king, and his lords, and his concubines, and his consorts drank from them. ^B

4. And they drank wine, and praised the golden, and silver, and bronze, and iron, and wooden, and stone gods: and they did not bless the God of heaven, who has authority over their spirit.

5. In that same hour, fingers of a man's hand came forth, and were writing opposite the lamp upon the plaster of the wall of the king's house: and the king was observing the joints of the hand that was writing.

6. Then the king's appearance was changed, and his thoughts were troubling him, and the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees were knocking one against another. ^C

7. And the king cried out in strength to bring in the magicians, Chaldeans, and gazarenes. And the king answered and said to the wise men of Babylon, that every man who shall read this writing, and make known its interpretation to me, shall be clothed in purple, and a golden chain shall be upon his neck, and he shall be the third lord in my kingdom.

8. Then all the wise men of the king were coming in, and they were not able to read the writing, nor to make known the interpretation to the king.

9. And King Baltasar was troubled, and his appearance was changed in him, and his lords were troubled. ^D

10. And the queen came into the banquet house because of the words of the king and his lords, and the queen answered and said: O king, live forever; let not thy thoughts trouble thee, and let not thy appearance be changed.

11. There is a man in thy kingdom in whom is the holy Spirit of God; and in the days of thy father, watchfulness and understanding were found in him, and King Nabuchodonosor thy father appointed him as chief of the enchanters, magicians, Chaldeans, and gazarenes.

12. Because a superabundant spirit is in him, and prudence, and understanding, interpreting dreams, and declaring hidden things: and the king gave him the name Baltasar: therefore now

let Daniel be called, and he shall interpret its meaning for you. ^A

13. Then Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to Daniel: Are you Daniel, who is of the sons of the captivity of Judea, which the king my father brought from Judea?

14. And I have heard of you, that the holy Spirit of God is in you, and vigilance, and understanding, and wisdom are found in you in greater abundance.

15. And now the wise men, the magi, the gazareni have entered into my presence to read this writing and declare its meaning to me, and they could not declare to me the interpretation of this word.

16. But I have heard of you, that you are able to interpret and solve perplexities: and now if you can read the writing and indicate its meaning to me, you shall be clothed in purple, and a golden collar shall be upon your neck, and you shall be the third prince in my kingdom. ^B

17. Then Daniel answered and said before the king: Let your gifts be for yourself, and give the reward of your kingdom to another: but I will read the writing to the king, and I will declare its meaning to you, O king.

18. The most high God gave to Nabuchodonosor your father his kingdom, and greatness, and honor, and glory.

19. And from the greatness which he gave to him, all the peoples, tribes, and tongues were trembling and fearing before his face: whom he wished he killed, and whom he wished he saved, and whom he wished he exalted, and whom he wished he humbled. ^C

20. And when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit became hardened in pride, he was set down from his royal throne.

21. And his honor was taken away from him, and he was driven out from men, and his heart was given with the beasts, and his dwelling was with wild asses; and they fed him hay like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the most high God rules over the kingdom of men, and to whomsoever he will, he will give it.

22. And you, his son Baltasar, have not humbled your heart before God, of all which you knew. ^D

23. And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord God of heaven, and they brought the vessels of his house before you, and you, and your optimates, and your concubines, and your consorts were drinking wine in them, and you praised gods of gold, and silver, and bronze, and iron, and wood, and stone, which do not see, and do not hear, and do not feel; and the God in whose hand is your breath, and all your ways, him you have not glorified.

24. Therefore from his presence was sent the knuckle of a hand, and he set in order this writing.

25. And this is the writing that is ordained: MANE, THECEL, PHARES. ^A 26. And this is the interpretation of the questioning: MANE, God has measured your kingdom, and has finished it. 27. THECEL, it has been weighed in the balance, and has been found wanting. 28. PHARES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. 29. And Baltasar said, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and they placed the gold necklace about his neck, and they proclaimed concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in his kingdom. 30. In that night Baltasar the king of the Chaldeans was killed. 31. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being sixty-two years old.

CAPUT VI

1. And it pleased Darius, and he established over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, that they might be in his whole kingdom. 2. And over them were three governors; and Daniel was one of them, that the satraps might render to them an account, so that the king might not be troubled. 3. And Daniel was superior to the governors and the satraps, because there was a superior spirit in him. 4. And the king established him over all his kingdom: and the governors and the satraps sought to find an occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom: ^B and they could not find any occasion or fault against him, because he was faithful. 5. And those governors said, We shall not find any occasion against Daniel, unless in the laws of his God. 6. Then the governors and satraps stood before the king, and said to him, King Darius, live forever. 7. All the commanders of your kingdom, and the satraps, and consuls, and toparchs have taken counsel, to establish a royal ordinance, and to strengthen the decree, that whoever shall ask a petition of any god, or of men, for thirty days, except of you, O king, he shall be cast into the lions' den. 8. Now therefore, O king, establish the ordinance, and set forth the writing, ^C that the decree of the Medes and Persians may not be changed, so that it may not be altered before this. 9. Then king Darius commanded the decree to be written. 10. And when Daniel knew that the decree was set, he went into his house, and his windows were open to him in his upper chambers toward Jerusalem, and three times in the day he was bending upon his knees, and praying, and making confession before his God, just as he was doing before. 11. Then those men kept watch, and found Daniel beseeching, and praying before his God. ^D

12. And they approach and say to the king: O king, have you not established a decree, that every man who shall petition any god or man for a request, up to thirty days, save from you, O king, shall be cast into the lions' den? 13. And the king said: True is the word, and the decree of the Medes and Persians shall not be set aside. 14. Then they answered and say before the king: Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judea, has not submitted to your decree regarding the ordinance which you have established, and three times a day he asks for his petitions from his God. Then the king, when he heard the word, was greatly grieved for him, and strove for Daniel to deliver him, and until the setting of the sun he was laboring to deliver him. ^B 15. Then those men observed the king, and say to the king: Know, O king, that it is a decree for the Medes and Persians, that every law and statute which the king shall establish must not be altered. 16. Then the king said: And they led Daniel, and cast him into the lions' den, and the king said to Daniel: The God whom you serve continually, He shall deliver you. 17. And they brought one stone, and placed it upon the mouth of the den: and the king sealed it with his ring, and with the ring of his nobles, so that nothing might be done otherwise regarding Daniel. 18. And the king went to his house, and slept fasting, and they did not bring food to him, and sleep departed from him: and God shut the mouths of the lions, and they did not cause trouble to Daniel. ^C 19. Then the king arose at the early dawn, and in haste went to the lions' den. 20. And when he approached the den, he cried out with a loud voice to Daniel, and the king answered and said to Daniel: Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the mouth of the lions? 21. And Daniel spoke to the king, and said: O king, live forever. 22. My God sent His angel, and shut the mouths of the lions, and they did not harm me, because before Him righteousness was found in me: and also before you, O king, I have committed no offense. ^D 23. Then the king rejoiced greatly over him, and ordered Daniel to be brought up from the den; and Daniel was brought up from the den, and no injury was found in him, because he believed in his God. 24. And the king said, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they were cast into the lions' den, they, and their children, and their wives: and they did not reach the floor of the den, until the lions gained mastery over them, and ground all their bones to pieces.

^A 25. Then Darius the king wrote to all peoples, tribes, and tongues, who dwell in all the earth: Peace to you be multiplied.

26. From my presence a decree is set in every dominion of my kingdom, that they should be trembling and fearing before the face of the God of Daniel, because He is the living God, and enduring into the ages, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed, and His dominion is unto the end.

27. He rescues, and delivers, and works signs and wonders in heaven, and in earth, who delivered Daniel from the mouth of the lions.

28. And this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

CHAPTER VII.

^B 1. In the first year of Baltasar king of the Chaldeans, Daniel saw a dream, and the visions of his head upon his bed, and he wrote the dream: the beginning of his words, and responding he said:

2. I, Daniel, was looking in my vision of the night: and behold, the four winds of the heaven were rushing into the great sea.

3. And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, differing from one another.

4. The first was as a lion, and its wings as an eagle's: I was looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and it stood upon the feet of a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

5. And behold, another beast like a bear, and it stood on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth, and thus they were saying to it, "Arise, eat much flesh."

^C 6. After this I was looking in the vision of the night: and behold another beast as a leopard, and it had four wings of a bird over itself, and four heads were to the beast, and authority was given to it.

7. After this I was looking in the vision of the night: and behold, a fourth beast, terrible and astonishing, and exceeding strong, and its teeth were of iron, and great, devouring and crushing, and the rest it trampled with its feet; and it was exceeding different from all the beasts that were before it, and ten horns were to it.

8. I was considering the horns, and behold, another little horn was coming up in the midst of them, and three of the horns that were before it were plucked up from before its face: and behold, eyes, as the eyes of a man, in this horn, and a mouth speaking great things.

^D 9. I was looking until the thrones were set, and the Ancient of days sat, and His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head as pure wool, His throne a flame of fire, His wheels a burning fire.

10. A river of fire was drawing, coming out from before Him: thousand thousands ministered to Him, and ten thousand myriads stood before Him: the judgment sat, and the books were opened.

11. I was looking then from the voice of the words, which

^A that horn was speaking; I was looking until the beast was slain, and perished, and its body was given to be burned with fire.

12. And the dominion of the remaining beasts was taken away, and length of life was given to them until a time and season.

13. I was looking in the vision of the night, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, one like the Son of man was coming, and He reached the Ancient of days, and was brought into His presence.

14. And to Him was given the dominion, and honor, and the kingdom, and all peoples, tribes, and tongues shall serve Him; and His authority is everlasting, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed.

15. My spirit was troubled, I, Daniel, in my habit, and the visions of my head were disturbing me.

16. And I drew near to one of those who stood by, and I sought to learn from him the truth concerning all these things; and he told me the truth, and declared to me the interpretation of the words.

17. These great beasts, which are four, are four kingdoms that shall arise on the earth, which shall be taken away.

18. And the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and shall possess it for ever and for ever and ever.

19. And I was inquiring diligently concerning the fourth beast, because it was different from every beast, and excessively terrible: its teeth were of iron, and its claws of bronze; it was eating and crushing, and trampling the rest with its feet.

20. And concerning its ten horns, which were on its head, and the other that ascended, and cast down from among the former ones three; and that horn, which had eyes, and a mouth speaking great things, and its appearance was ^B greater than the rest.

21. I was looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints, and prevailed against them.

22. Until the Ancient of days came, and granted the judgment to the saints of the Most High; and the time arrived, and the saints took possession of the kingdom.

23. And he said thus: The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on the earth, which shall surpass all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall trample it, and break it in pieces.

24. And its ten horns, ten kings shall arise: and after them shall arise another, who shall surpass in wickedness all those before him, and he shall humble three kings.

25. And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall plan to change times, and law; and it shall be given into his hand until a time, and times, and half a time.

26. ^C And the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion to exterminate and destroy it unto the end.

27. And the kingdom, and the authority, and the greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven, was given to the saints of the Most High; and His ^D kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all authorities shall serve and obey Him.

So far is the end of the discourse.

28. ^A Daniel said: My thoughts troubled me greatly, and my countenance changed, and I kept the word in my heart.

CHAPTER VIII

1. In the third year of the reign of Baltasar, a vision appeared to me—I, Daniel, after that which had appeared to me in the beginning.

2. And I saw in the vision; and it came to pass when I saw, that I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the land of Elam; and I saw in the vision, ^B and I was upon the Ubalula.

3. And I lifted up my eyes, and saw; and behold, one ram standing before the Ubalula, and he had horns, and the horns were high; and one was higher than the other, and the high one came up last.

4. And I saw the ram butting toward the sea, and toward the north, and toward the south; and all the beasts did not stand before him, and there was no one to deliver from his hand; and he did according to his will, and he was magnified.

5. And I was understanding; and behold, a he-goat of the goats was coming from the side of Libya ^C over the face of the whole earth; and he was not touching the earth; and there was for that he-goat a conspicuous horn between his eyes.

6. And he came as far as the ram that had the horns, which I saw standing before the Ubalula, and ran to him in the impulse of his strength.

7. And I saw him arriving as far as the ram, and he became enraged toward him, and struck the ram, and crushed both his horns; and there was no strength in the ram to stand before him; and he cast him to the ground, and trampled upon him, ^D and there was no one to deliver the ram from his hand.

8. And the he-goat of the goats was magnified exceedingly; and when he became strong, his great horn was broken, and there went up four other horns beneath it toward the four winds of heaven.

9. And out of one of them there came forth one strong horn, and it was magnified exceedingly toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the power.

10. And it was magnified even to the power of heaven; and it fell upon the ground from the power, and from the stars, and trampled upon them.

11. And even to the prince of the power it was exalted, and until the chief captain rescued the captivity, and by him the sacrifice was troubled by transgression; and it came to pass, and it prospered for him; and the sanctuary shall be desolate.

12. And it was given over upon the sacrifice for sin, and it was cast—

^A down to the ground, and it did, and it prospered.

13. And I heard one holy one speaking, and one holy one said to Phelmuni who was speaking: How long shall the vision stand, and the sacrifice removed, and the sin of desolation which is given, and the sanctuary and the power shall be trodden under foot? 14. And he said to him: Until evening and morning, two thousand three hundred days; and the sanctuary shall be cleansed.

15. And it came to pass, when I, Daniel, saw the vision, I sought understanding; and behold, there stood before me as it were the appearance of a man. 16. And I heard the voice of a man between Ubal, and he called, and said: Gabriel, make this man understand the vision. 17. And he came, and stood near my station: and when he had come, I was afraid, and I fell upon my face; and he said to me: Understand, son of man, for the vision is yet for the time of the end. 18. As he was speaking with me, I fell into a stupor upon my face to the ground; and he touched me, and set me upon my feet, and said: 19. Behold, I will make known to thee what things shall be in the last end of wrath: for it is yet for the time of the end. 20. The ram which thou sawest, which had horns, is the king of the Medes and Persians. 21. And the he-goat of the goats is the king of the Greeks; and the great horn which was between his eyes, he is the first king. 22. And as for that which was broken, and four horns stood up under it, four kings shall arise from his nation, but not in his power. 23. And in the last of ^B their kingdom, when their sins are filled up, there shall arise a king impudent in face, and understanding problems. 24. And his power shall be robust, but not in his strength: and he shall lay waste wonderfully, and shall prosper, and shall do, and shall exterminate the strong and the holy people. 25. And the yoke of his strap shall be directed: deceit shall be in his hand, and in his heart he shall be magnified; and through deceit he shall corrupt many, and shall stand in the perdition of many, ❃ and against the prince of princes he shall arise, and as ^C eggs in the hand he shall crush them. 26. And the vision of the evening and the morning, which was told, is true: and thou, seal the vision, because it shall be for many days. 27. And I, Daniel, lay down, and was languid for days: and I arose, and did the works of the king, and I was admiring the vision, and there was none that understood it.

CHAPTER IX

1. In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus of the seed of the Medes, who reigned over the kingdom of the Chaldeans: 2. In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood...

in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood in the books the number of the years, concerning which the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the completion of the desolation of Jerusalem: seventy years.

^A 3. And I set my face toward the Lord my God, to seek prayer and supplication, in fastings, and in sackcloth, and ashes. 4. And I confessed, and said: O Lord, the great and wonderful God, who keepest the covenant and the mercy to them that love thee, and to them that keep thy commandments; 5. We have sinned, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly, and have departed and declined from thy commandments, and from thy judgments. 6. And we have not hearkened to thy servants the prophets, who spoke in thy name to our kings, and to our princes, and to our fathers, and to all the people of the land. ^B 7. To thee, O Lord, is justice, and to us confusion of face, as this day, to the man of Judah, and to them that dwell in Jerusalem, and to all Israel, to them that are near, and to them that are far off in all the land where thou hast dispersed them there, in their prevarication whereby they have prevaricated against thee. 8. O Lord, to us is confusion of face, and to our kings, and to our princes, and to our fathers, who have sinned against thee. 9. To the Lord our God belong mercies, and propitiations, because we have departed. 10. And we have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he gave before our face by the hand of his servants the prophets. ^C 11. And all Israel have transgressed thy law, and they have declined not to hear thy voice, and the curse is come upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. 12. And he has established his words, which he spoke upon us, and upon our judges who judged us, to bring upon us great evils, such as have not been under all the heaven, according to those things that have been done in Jerusalem. 13. As it is written in the law of Moses, all these evils have come upon us: and we have not entreated the face of the Lord our God, that we might turn back from our iniquities, and that we might understand in all truth. ^D 14. And the Lord our God has watched upon our malice, and has brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is just in all his work which he has done: for we have not hearkened to his voice. 15. And now, O Lord our God, who hast brought forth thy people out of the land of Egypt with a strong hand, and hast made thee a name as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16. O Lord, let all thy mercy, let turn aside

^A thy fury, and thy wrath from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain. For on account of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people have become a reproach to all who are round about us.

17. And now, O Lord our God, hear the prayer of thy servant and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary which is desolate, for thy sake, O Lord.

18. Incline, O my God, thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolation and that of thy city, upon which thy name has been called; for not by our righteous deeds do we lay our supplication before thee, but by thy great mercies, O Lord.

19. Hear, O Lord, be propitious, O Lord, attend, O Lord, and do; do not delay for thine own sake, O my God, because thy name is called upon thy city and upon thy people.

20. And while I was yet speaking, and praying, and confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God—

21. and while I was still speaking in prayer, behold, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in my vision at the beginning, flying, ^B touched me about the time of the evening sacrifice.

22. And he instructed me, and spoke with me, and said: Daniel, I have now come forth to give you understanding.

23. In the beginning of your supplication a word went forth, and I have come to tell you, for you are a man of desires; therefore understand the word.

24. Seventy weeks are shortened upon thy people and upon the holy city, that transgression may be brought to an end, and sin may be finished, and sins may be sealed, and iniquities may be blotted out, and iniquities may be propitiated, and everlasting righteousness may be brought, and vision and prophet may be sealed, and the Holy of holies may be anointed.

25. And you shall know and understand, from the going forth of the word to answer and to build Jerusalem unto Christ the leader, shall be seven weeks, ^C and sixty-two weeks: and it shall return, and the street and the wall shall be built, and the times shall be emptied.

26. And after the sixty-two weeks, the anointing shall be destroyed, and judgment is not in it. And he shall dissipate both the city and the sanctuary with the coming leader, and they shall be cut off as in a flood, and even to the end of the war, cut off with desolations. And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, ^D and upon the pinnacle there shall be the abomination of desolation, and even until the consummation, and that which is determined shall be poured out upon the desolation.

CHAPTER X.

1. In the third year of Cyrus the king of the Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel whose name was called Baltasar; and the word is true, and the strength is great, and understanding was given to him in the vision. ^A

2. In those days I Daniel was mourning for three weeks of days.

3. I ate no pleasant bread, and meat and wine did not enter into my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil, until the completion of three weeks of days.

4. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, in the third year, I was by the great river, which is the Tigris. ^B

5. And I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold one man clothed in [i]baddin[/i], and his loins were girded with gold of Ophaz, and his body was as Tharsis.

6. And his face was as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his legs as the appearance of shining brass, and the voice of his words was as the voice of a multitude.

7. And I Daniel saw the vision alone, and the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great terror fell upon them, and they fled in fear. ^C

8. And I was left alone, and no strength was left in me, and my glory was turned into corruption, and I did not retain any strength.

9. And I heard the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, I was smitten upon my face, and my face was upon the ground.

10. And behold a hand touching me, and it raised me upon my knees, and upon the soles of my feet.

11. And he said to me: Daniel, man of desires, understand the words which I speak to you, and stand in your place, for now I have been sent to you. And when he spoke this word to me, I stood up trembling. ^D

12. And he said to me: Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to afflict yourself before the Lord your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words.

13. And the prince of the kingdom of the Persians withstood me twenty-one days: and behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the king of the Persians.

^A 14. And I came to instruct thee in what shall befall thy people in the latter days, for behold, the vision is for the days. 15. And as he spoke with me according to such words, I set my face upon the ground, and I was pricked with pain. 16. And behold, as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips: and I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said unto him who stood before me: O Lord, in thy vision my inward parts were turned within me, and behold, I have no strength. 17. And how shall thy servant, O Lord, speak with this Lord? For I, from henceforth, strength shall not stand in me, and breath has not remained in me. 18. And he added, and touched me as the appearance of a man, and strengthened me. 19. And he said unto me: Fear not, man of desires: peace be unto thee: act manfully, and be strong. And as he spoke with me, I grew strong, and said: Let my Lord speak, for thou hast strengthened me. 20. And he said: Knowest thou wherefore I am come unto thee? And now I shall return ^B to fight with the prince of the Persians: and I was going forth, and the prince of the Greeks was coming. 21. Nevertheless, I will declare unto thee what is written in the scripture of truth: and there is not one who cleaveth to me in these things, save Michael your prince.

CHAPTER XI

1. And it came to pass in the first year of Cyrus, I stood for vigor and strength. 2. And now I declare unto thee the truth: behold, yet three kings shall rise in Persia, and the fourth shall be enriched with great riches above all; and when he shall have prevailed by his riches, he shall rise up against all the kingdoms of the Greeks. 3. And a mighty king shall rise, and shall rule with great dominion, and shall do according to his will. 4. And when his kingdom shall stand, it shall be broken, and shall be divided to the four ^C winds of heaven, and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, and shall be given to others besides these. 5. And the king of the south shall wax strong, and one of his princes shall prevail over him, and shall rule with great dominion besides his power. 6. And after some years they shall grow into a league: and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make agreements with him, and she shall not hold the strength of the arm, neither shall his seed stand, and she shall be delivered up, and they that brought her, and the young woman, and he who strengthened ^D her in the times. 7. And there shall rise out of the flower of her root an offspring: and shall come with virtue, and shall enter into the bulwarks of the king of the north: and shall do in them, and shall prevail.

^A 8. And their gods with their molten images, every desirable vessel of theirs, of silver and of gold, he shall carry into captivity into Egypt: and he himself shall stand against the king of the north. 9. And he shall enter into the kingdom of the king of the south, and shall return into his land. 10. And his sons shall gather together a multitude of many forces, and they shall gather, and he shall enter, and come on, and overflowing, and shall pass through, and he shall sit, and shall not wrestle until his strength. 11. And the king of the south shall be enraged, and shall go out, and shall fight with the king of the north, and shall set a great multitude, and the multitude ^B shall be delivered into his hand. 12. And he shall take the multitude, and his heart shall be lifted up, and he shall cast down myriads, and not prevail. 13. And the king of the north shall return, and shall bring a great multitude more than the former: and in the end of the days he shall come in with great power, and with great substance. 14. And in those times many shall rise up against the king of the south, and the children of the pestilent of thy people shall be lifted up, to establish the vision, and they shall be weakened. 15. And the king of the north shall enter, and shall cast up a bank, and shall take ^C the fenced cities, and the arms of the king of the south shall stand, and his chosen ones shall arise, and there shall be no strength to stand. 16. And he who comes towards him shall do according to his will, and there is none that stands before his face: and he shall stand in the land of Sabir, and it shall be finished in his hand. 17. And he shall set his face to enter with the strength of all his kingdom, and he shall do all things uprightly with him: and he shall give him the daughter of women to corrupt her, and she shall not remain, and it shall not be to him. 18. And he shall turn his face to the islands, and shall take many, and shall burn the princes of their reproach, yet his reproach shall return to him. 19. And he shall turn his face to ^D the strength of his own land, and he shall be weakened, and shall fall, and shall not be found. 20. And there shall arise out of the root of his kingdom one on his foundation, putting forth, and acting for the glory of the kingdom. 21. And in those days he shall be destroyed, and not in faces, nor in war, and he shall stand upon his foundation: he was despised, and the glory of the kingdom was not given upon him, and he shall come in peace, and shall obtain the kingdom by slipperiness. 22. And the arms of the one overflowing shall be overwhelmed from before him, and shall be broken, and also the leader of the covenant.

^A 23. And from the combinations against him he shall commit deceit, and he shall ascend, and he shall prevail over him with a small people. 24. And in prosperity, and in many regions he shall arrive: and he shall do what his fathers and his fathers' fathers did not do; he shall dissipate plunder, and spoils, and substance for them, and he shall devise his thoughts against Egypt, and until a time. 25. And his strength and his heart shall be awakened against the king of the south in great power: and the king of the south shall join battle with him in great power, and very strong, and he shall not stand, because they shall plot thoughts against him. 26. And they shall eat his necessities, they shall crush him, and he shall inundate his armies: and many shall fall slain. ^B 27. And both kings, their hearts shall be for evil, and at one table they shall speak lies, and they shall not succeed: because the end is still for a time. 28. And he shall return into his land in much substance: and his heart shall be against the holy covenant, and he shall do, and shall return into his land. 29. At a time he shall return, and shall arrive at the south: and it shall not be as the first, and as the last. 30. And those who depart shall enter against him, and horsemen, and he shall be humbled, and shall return, and shall be angered against the holy covenant, and he shall do, and shall return, and he shall understand against those who have abandoned the holy covenant. 31. And arms from among them shall stand, and they shall profane the sanctuary of strength, and they shall remove the perpetual sacrifice, and shall give into the desolate abomination. ^C 32. And those who act wickedly against the covenant he shall bring into slipperinesses: and the people knowing their God shall prevail, and shall do. 33. And the wise ones of the people shall understand for many: and they shall be weakened in sword, and in flame, and in captivity, and in plunder of days. 34. And when they are weakened, they shall be helped with a small help: and many shall be joined to them in slipperiness. 35. And those who understand shall be weakened, to refine among them, and to whiten until the time of the end, because it is still for a time. ^D 36. And the king shall do according to his will, and he shall be exalted, and shall be magnified against every god, and he shall speak proud things against the God of gods, and he shall succeed until the wrath is completed: for it is done unto an end and acceleration. 37. And he shall understand concerning all the gods of his fathers, and the desire of women, and he shall not understand concerning every god: because he shall be magnified over all. 38. And the god whom his fathers did not know he shall glorify in silver, and gold, and precious stone, and in desires. 39. And he shall do in the fortresses of refuge with the foreign god, whom he did not know, he shall multiply glory, and shall subject them to...

many, and shall distribute the land in gifts. ^A

40. And in the time of the end, the king of the south shall push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a tempest, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the land, and shall overflow and pass through. 41. And he shall enter into the land of Sabim, and many shall be established, and these shall be saved out of his hand, Edom, and Moab, and the beginning of the children of Ammon. 42. And he shall stretch forth his hand upon the land, and the land of Egypt shall not be for a salvation. 43. And he shall have power over the recondite things of gold, and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt, and of the Libyans, and of the Ethiopians, and in their fortresses. 44. And rumors and haste shall trouble him from the east and from the north: and he shall come with great fury to destroy, and to devote many to destruction. ^B 45. And he shall pitch his tabernacle in Apadano between the seas, in the holy mount of Sabin, and he shall come even unto his part, and there is none who shall deliver him.

CHAPTER XII

1. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince, who stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of tribulation, such as has not been since there was a nation on the earth, even to that time. And at that time thy people shall be saved, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to reproach, and to everlasting shame. 3. And they that understand shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and of the many righteous as the stars for all eternity. 4. But thou, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book even to the time of the end, until many are taught, and knowledge is increased. ^C 5. And I, Daniel, looked, and behold, there stood two others, one on this side of the bank of the river, and one on that side. 6. And I said to the man who was clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river: How long shall the end be of the things which you have spoken, of the wonders, and of the purgation of these? 7. And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, and he lifted up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by him that lives forever, that it shall be for a time, and times, and half a time; when the dispersion of the power of the holy people shall be finished, they shall know of the holy one, and all these things shall be finished. ^D 8. And I heard, and I understood, and I said: My Lord, what are the latter ends of these things?

9. And he said: Go, Daniel, for the words are closed and sealed until the time of the end. ^A 10. Many shall be chosen, and made white, and tried by fire; and the wicked shall do wickedly, and all the wicked shall not understand, but the wise shall understand. 11. And from the time of the change of the daily sacrifice, and for the giving of the abomination of desolation, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12. Blessed is he who waits, and attains unto the thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13. But you, go and rest; for there are yet days until the completion of the consummation; and you shall rest, and stand in your lot at the end of the days. ^B And King Astyages was gathered to his fathers; and Cyrus the Persian received his kingdom, and Daniel was a guest of the king, and was honored above all his friends.

CHAPTER XIII

1. And there was a man living in Babylon, and his name was Joakim. 2. And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, very beautiful, and one who feared the Lord. 3. And her parents were just, and they taught their daughter according to the law of Moses. 4. Now Joakim was very rich, and had a fair garden joining unto his house; and the Jews resorted unto him, for he was more honorable than all. ^C 5. And there were two elders appointed of the people as judges in that year, of whom the Lord spoke: That iniquity came from Babylon from the elder judges, who seemed to govern the people. 6. These stayed at the house of Joakim, and all who had suits came unto them. 7. And it came to pass, when the people departed at noon, Susanna would go in and walk in her husband's garden. 8. And the elders saw her going in every day, and walking, and they were inflamed with lust for her. 9. And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they should not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments. 10. And they were both wounded by love for her, and did not declare to each other their pain. ^D 11. For they were ashamed to declare their desire, because they wanted to lie with her. 12. And they watched anxiously every day to see her; and they said one to another: 13. Let us go home, for it is the hour of dinner; and going out, they departed from one another. 14. And when they returned, they came together; and questioning one another, what was the cause, they confessed to each other their desire; and then they jointly appointed a time, when they might be able to find her alone. 15. And it came to pass, when they watched for her a day

^A apt, as yesterday, and the day before, Susanna entered at some time with only two maidens, and she desired to bathe in the garden, for it was hot. 16. And there was no one there, except the two elders hidden, and watching her. 17. And she said to the maidens, Bring me oil, and ointment, and shut the doors of the garden, that I may bathe. 18. And they did even as she had said: and they shut the doors of the garden, and went out by the side doors to fetch what had been commanded them, and they did not see the elders, for they were hidden. 19. And it came to pass, when the maidens had gone out, the two elders stood up, and ran to her, ^B and said: 20. Behold, the doors of the garden are shut, and no one sees us, and we are in desire of thee; wherefore consent to us, and be with us. 21. If not, we will testify against thee, that a youth was with thee, and for this reason thou didst send the maidens away from thee. 22. And Susanna groaned, and said, Distress is upon me from every side: for if I do this, it is death to me; and if I do not do it, I shall not escape your hands. 23. It is better for me to fall into your hands without doing it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord. 24. And Susanna cried out with a loud voice; ^C and the two elders also cried out against her. 25. And one running, opened the doors of the garden. 26. But when the servants of the lady heard the outcry in the garden, they rushed in through the side door to see what had happened to her. 27. When the elders related their words, the servants were greatly ashamed, for never at any time had such a word been spoken about Susanna. 28. And it came to pass on the next day, the people gathered to the husband of Susanna, Joakim, and the two elders came, full of their lawless design against Susanna, to put her to death. 29. And they said before the people, Send for Susanna the daughter of Chelcias, who is the wife of Joakim. ^D And they sent. 30. And she came, and her parents, and her children, and all her relatives. 31. Now Susanna was very delicate, and beautiful to behold. 32. And the lawless ones commanded to uncover her, for she was covered, so that they might be filled with her beauty. 33. And her own people, and all who knew her, were weeping. 34. And the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.

35. And the woman weeping looked up to heaven, for her heart had confidence in the Lord. 36. And the elders said: As we were walking in the garden alone, this one entered with two maidens, and she shut the doors of the garden, and sent away the maidens. 37. And the young man came, who was hidden, and lay with her. 38. We then, being in the corner of the garden, ^A seeing the iniquity, ran to them, and seeing them acting together, 39. him indeed we could not catch, because he was stronger than us, and having opened the doors he leaped out. 40. But having caught this woman, we asked who the young man was, and she would not tell us: these things we testify. 41. And the multitude believed them as elders of the people and judges, and they condemned her to death. 42. And Susanna cried out with a loud voice and said: Eternal God, who art the watcher of hidden things, who knowest all things before they come to be, 43. thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me, and behold I die, having done none of the things which these have falsely testified against me. 44. And the Lord heard her voice. 45. And as she was being led away to die, God raised up the Holy Spirit of a younger boy, whose name was Daniel. 46. And he cried out with a loud voice: I am pure from the blood of this woman. 47. And all the people turned towards him, and said: What is this word that thou hast spoken? 48. But he, standing in the midst ^B of them, said: Are you so foolish, sons of Israel, that you have condemned the daughter of Israel, not having judged, and not having known the clear truth? 49. Turn back therefore to the judgement; for they have spoken false witness against her. 50. And all the people returned in haste, and the elders said to him: Come, and sit in our midst, and tell us, for God has given thee the honor of old age. 51. And Daniel said to them: Separate them far from one another, and I will judge them. 52. And when they were separated one from another, he called one of them, and said to him: O thou grown old in wicked days, now thy sins have come which thou didst commit heretofore, 53. judging unjust judgements, and indeed condemning the innocent, but setting free the guilty, ^C the Lord saying: The innocent and the just thou shalt not put to death. 54. Now then, if thou hast seen this one, say, under what tree didst thou see them speaking to one another? Who said: Under a lentisk. 55. And Daniel said: Rightly hast thou lied to thy own ^D

^A head: for the angel of God, having received the sentence from God, shall cut thee in two. 56. And he ordered another to be brought, and said to him: O seed of Canaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath seduced thee, and concupiscence hath perverted thy heart. 57. Thus did ye to the daughters of Israel, and they for fear were wont to talk with you: but the daughter of Juda would not suffer your wickedness. 58. Now then tell me, under what tree didst thou find them speaking one with another? And he said: Under a lentisk. 59. And Daniel said to him: Rightly hast thou lied to thy own head; for the angel of God waiteth ^B with a sword to cut thee in two, that he may exterminate you. 60. And all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and they blessed God, who saveth them that trust in him. 61. And they rose up against the two elders, (for Daniel had convicted them out of their own mouth that they had borne false witness), and they did to them in such sort as they had maliciously dealt against their neighbor, according to the law of Moses. 62. And they killed them, and innocent blood was saved in that day. 63. And Chelcias and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joakim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her. 64. And Daniel became great in the sight of the people from that day, and ^C thenceforth. 65. And king Astyages was gathered to his fathers, and Cyrus the Persian received his kingdom.

CHAPTER XIV

1. And Daniel was a companion of the king, and was more honorable than all his friends. 2. And there was an idol of the Babylonians, named Bel: and there were spent upon him every day twelve great measures of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine. 3. And the king worshipped it, and went every day to adore it: but Daniel worshipped his own God. And the king said to him: Why dost thou not adore Bel? 4. And he said to him: Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, ^D who created heaven and earth, and hath power over all flesh. 5. And the king said to him: Doth not Bel seem to thee to be a living god? Or seest thou not how much he eateth and drinketh every day? 6. And Daniel laughed: Do not err, O king, for this is but clay within, and brass without, and he hath never eaten or drunk anything. 7. And the king being angry, called for his priests, and said to them: If you tell me not, who it is that eateth these expenses, you shall die.

8. "But if you prove that Bel eats these things, Daniel shall die, because he has blasphemed against Bel." And Daniel said to the king: "Let it be done according to your word." ^A

9. Now the priests of Bel were seventy, besides their wives and children: and the king came with Daniel into the house of Bel.

10. And the priests of Bel said: "Behold, we go out: but you, O king, set the food, and place the wine mixed; and shut the door, and seal it with your ring."

11. "And when you come in the morning, if you do not find everything eaten by Bel, we will die, or else Daniel, who has lied against us."

12. But they were contemptuous, because they had made a secret entrance under the table, and through it they entered in continuously, and were taking them away. ^B

13. And it happened after they had gone out, that the king set the food before Bel: and Daniel ordered his servants, and they brought ash, and they scattered it over the whole temple before the king; and going out they shut the door, and sealed it with the king's ring, and went away.

14. But the priests entered by night according to their custom, they, and their wives, and their children, and they ate everything, and drank.

15. And the king rose up at early dawn, and Daniel with him.

16. And the king said: "Are the seals safe, Daniel?" And he said: "Safe, O king." ^C

17. And it happened as soon as he opened the doors, the king looking upon the table, cried out with a loud voice: "Great are you, O Bel, and with you there is no deceit whatsoever!"

18. And Daniel laughed, and held back the king, that he should not enter within, and said: "Look now at the floor, and observe whose footprints these are."

19. And the king said: "I see the footprints of men, and women, and children," and the king was angered.

20. Then he arrested the priests, and their wives, and their children: and they showed him the secret doors, through which they entered, and consumed what was on the table.

21. He killed them therefore, and delivered Bel into the power of Daniel, who destroyed it, and its temple. ^D

22. And there was a great dragon in the place, and the Babylonians worshiped him.

23. And the king said to Daniel: "Behold now you cannot say, that this is not a living god: worship him therefore."

24. And Daniel said: "I will worship the Lord my God: for He is the living God."

25. "But you, O king, give me permission, and I will kill the dragon without sword, and club." And the king said: "I give it to you."

26. Then Daniel took pitch, and fat, and hair, and boiled them together, and made masses, and gave them into the mouth of the dragon, and the dragon burst asunder, and Daniel said:

^A “Behold what you worship.”

27. And it came to pass, when the Babylonians heard it, they were very indignant, and gathered against the king, and said: “The king has become a Jew; he has destroyed Bel, and killed the dragon, and slaughtered the priests.”

28. And they said unto the king: “Deliver Daniel to us, otherwise we will kill you and your house.”

29. And when the king saw that they were vehemently pressing him, constrained by necessity, he delivered Daniel to them.

30. And they cast him into the lions’ den, and he was there six days.

31. And there were in the den seven lions, and there were given to them daily two bodies and two sheep: but then they were not given to them, that they might devour Daniel.

32. And Habakkuk the prophet was in Judaea, and he had boiled pottage, and had broken bread into a bowl, and was going into the field to carry it to the reapers.

33. And the angel of the Lord said unto Habakkuk: “Carry the dinner which you have into Babylon, to Daniel in the lions’ den.”

34. And Habakkuk said: “Lord, I have never seen Babylon, and I do not know the den.”

35. And the angel of the Lord took him by the crown of his head, and carrying him by the hair of his head, set him in Babylon over the den, ^C in the rush of his spirit.

36. And Habakkuk cried out, saying: “Daniel, take the dinner which God has sent you.”

37. And Daniel said: “You have remembered me, O God, and have not forsaken those who love you.”

38. And Daniel arose and ate: and the angel of God immediately set Habakkuk back in his place.

39. And the king came on the seventh day to lament for Daniel, and he came to the den, and looked in, and behold, Daniel was sitting.

40. And the king cried out with a loud voice, and said: “Great are you, O Lord God of Daniel.”

41. And he pulled him out: but he cast in those who had been the cause of his destruction, and they were devoured immediately before him.

OF THE THINGS REMAINING OF THE HEXAPLA

DANIEL CHAPTER ONE

[original-script column: see facsimile] 2. Th. Into the land of Sennaar. Another, into the land of Babylon.

[original-script column: see facsimile] 3. Th. To Asphanez the chief of his eunuchs. Another, to Abdiezdri the master of his eunuchs. Vulg. Asphenez the chief of the eunuchs.

^A Heb. of the nobles. Hebrew, of the nobles. A. 1. LXX. elect. A. 2. of tyrants. S. of the Parthians. Th. Phorthommin. 8. Heb. might pollute himself. Th. Vulg. might pollute himself. Another, might be defiled. 10. Heb. Th. Vulg. prince of the eunuchs. ^B Heb. and you will condemn. Th. and you might condemn. Another, and you might cause to be condemned. Vulg. you will condemn. 12. H. Another, Vulg. your servants. Th. your boys. 14. Heb. Th. and he tested them. Another, and he tested their appearance [i.e., countenance]. Vulg. tested them. 15. Heb. and sturdier in flesh. Th. and they were sturdier in flesh. Another, and they themselves were sturdier in flesh. Vulg. and more corpulent. 16. H. Th. seeds. Another, Vulg. vegetables. 17. Heb. A. Vulg. in all knowledge. S. in all grammar. Th. in all literature. 18. H. in the presence of Nebuchadnezzar. Vulg. in the presence of Nebuchadnezzar. Another, to Nebuchadnezzar. 20. H. astrologers and wise men. LXX. sophists and philosophers. Th. enchanters and magicians. Vulg. diviners and magicians.

Notes and various readings on Chapter I of Daniel. V. 1. It should be known that Montfaucon provides the text of Theodotion alongside our Bibles, which in many places departs from the Chisian text of Theodotion which we gave above. DRACH. V. 2. Schol. *Babylon*, according to Drusius from the Roman edition, and it is without doubt another version. Jerome in his commentary: "The land of Sennaar is the place of Babylon, in which was the plain of Dura, and the tower, which those who had moved their feet from the East until heaven, they attempted to build." V. 3. Another, to Abdiezdri, teacher of the eunuchs. The royal Bombycine codex. This reading is mentioned by Jerome, who says: "For Asphanez, in the Vulgate edition, I found it written *Abiesdri*." Our most ancient Corbeian codex has it in Latin letters, *Abiesdri*. Ibid. Heb. "of the nobles." The same royal MS. Concerning the remaining versions, Jerome says this: "And for *Porthommin*, which Theodotion placed, the LXX and Aquila translated 'elects'; Symmachus, 'the Parthians,' understanding the name of the tribe for the word, which we, according to the edition of the Hebrews, which is read *kat' akribeian* [according to accuracy], translate as 'tyrants'." Our Corbeian MS has the former words of this passage thus: "And for *Porthommin*, which Theodotion placed."

DANIEL CHAPTER II

^D 2 Heb. astrologers. A. S. O'. Th. enchanters. The Syrian, wise men. Vulg. diviners. 5 S. and he was perplexed. Th. and he was amazed. Vulg. and his mind was confused. 8 H. you are buying time. Th. time you are buying. Vulg. you are buying time. H. it has gone out from me. Syrus, he deceives me. Th. it has departed from me. Vulg. has departed from me. 15 Th. vacat. Another, and he was inquiring of him, saying. Vulg. and he inquired of him.

DANIEL CHAPTER III.

^A 1 H. Vulg. Dura. S. Durau. LXX, septum. T. Deira. 3 Hebr. Vulg. which King Nebuchadnezzar had erected. Th. which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Hebr. to peoples, nations, and languages. Alius, nations, peoples, and languages. Th. peoples, tribes, languages. Vulg. to peoples, tribes, and languages. 5 Heb. Alius, Vulg. symphony. In Th. it is vacant. 18 Hebr. The rest, and to the golden image. S. Vulg. to the golden statue. 21 Hebr. in their sarabals. A. Th. with their sarabars. S. with their breeches. Vul. with their trousers. 22 Hebr. those men who made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego ascend, the flame of the fire killed them. Alius, and those men who had thrown in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, the flame of the fire killed them. Vulg. but those men who had sent Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, the flame of the fire killed. 23 Heb. and those three men Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego fell into the midst of the burning furnace of fire.

Them those three, Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenego fell into the midst of the fire bound. Th. And these three, Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenego, fell into the midst of the burning furnace bound.

24 Heb. Then King Nabuchodonosor was astonished, and he arose in haste, and responded and said to his magnates. A. King Nabuchodonosor marveled, and arose in haste, and responded and said to his magnates. Th. And Nabuchodonosor heard them singing hymns, and he marveled and arose in haste, and said to his magnates. Vulg. Then Nabuchodonosor the king was astonished, and arose in haste, and said to his magnates.

25 Heb. And the appearance of the fourth is similar to a son of God. A. ... similar to a son of God. S. The appearance of the fourth, a likeness of the sons of the gods. LXX ... to an angel of God. Th. Vul. And the appearance of the fourth, similar to a son of God.

Notes and various readings on Chapter III of Daniel

DANIEL CHAPTER IV. 1. Heb. and flourishing in my palace. Th. and flourishing in my throne. Vulg. and flourishing in my palace. 4. Heb. magicians, wise men, Casdim, and diviners. Th. enchanters, magi, Gazareni, Chaldeans. Vulg. soothsayers, magi, Chaldeans, and astrologers. 5. Heb. and until the last came Daniel.

^A Another, until another came before me, Daniel. Th. It is not impossible for you. Another, it is not impossible for you. Another, and the visions of my head. Th. ^B Th. and his height. The rest, to the ends. Th. to the end. A. S. A watcher. O'. Angel. Th. "Ir." Th. he shall be lodged. Another, he shall be hosted. Th. he was dismayed. Another, and the king answered and said, Baltasar, let not the dream and its interpretation dismay you. Th. Another, and the king answered and said, Baltasar, let not the dream and its interpretation make you anxious. In Th. it is vacant. Vulg. and the king responding said, Baltasar, let not the dream and its interpretation disturb you. ^C Another, your body shall be stained. Th. perhaps he shall be long-suffering. Another, perhaps there shall be long-suffering.

Notes and various readings on Chapter IV of Daniel.

V. 4. Jerome: "I was quiet in my house, and flourishing in my palace, or upon my throne," as Theodotion interpreted. These words are absent from most exemplars, and seem to have been lost. V. 4. Th., enchanters. In these words, Drusius brings forward this scholion from the Roman edition: "They called those enchanters who were especially devoted to incantations and the invocation of demons; but Magi are those who, among them, are even to this day worshippers of fire, and who perform purifications, and, as they think, are expertly occupied in the contemplation of the stars; but Chaldeans are those in the Chaldean region, from which Abraham set out; for this is a part of the Assyrians; they are devoted to star-gazing and augury. For Theodotion put Gazareni instead of those who perform the sacrifices; for he calls them 'sacrificers' instead of Gazareni." He here undoubtedly seems to have put Theodotion for Symmachus, for Theodotion has it. See above Daniel 2, 2.

V. 5. Jerome: "Except the LXX translators, who for some reason or other passed over all these things, the three others translated it as 'colleague.' Whence, by the judgment of the masters of the Church, their edition is rejected in this volume, and that of Theodotion is commonly read, which corresponds both to the Hebrew and to the other translators." Therefore Jerome, who translates "colleague," as Drusius begins [to note], read it, which reading does not seem to fit the Chaldean word ^D, which signifies "another"; but perhaps he read it for ^D. Ibid. Th., god of the holy gods. Drusius. [It is not seen in the text above. It refers to "the Holy God."] And thus the Latin Vulgate translates it. DRACH. V. 6. Another, it is not impossible for you. Ex Drusio. V. 7. Another, and the visions, etc. Idem. V. 8. Jerome: "But what he says according to Theodotion, 'his height,' or as he himself interpreted it later, i.e., 'dominion,' for which we translate 'his aspect,' etc." Ibid. The rest, to the ends. Drusius. V. 10. Jerome: "For 'watcher,' Theodotion placed the Chaldean word HIR itself, which is written with three letters, AIN, IOD, and RES: it signifies, however, Angels, etc." Our Martianus reads HIR, and likewise the Corbie manuscript. The Roman edition scholion adds: another scholion, "His," adds Drusius: which Jerome had in mind when he annotated these things on this passage: "But the custom of the Greek and Latin language calls Iris, which is said to descend to the lands by means of a multicolored arc." V. 16. Th., he was dismayed. Polychronius, that is, he was astonished at the miracle of the things shown, and became contemplative. Ibid. Another, and he answered. Drusius. V. 22. Another, your body shall be stained. The same John Chrysostom reads in his commentary on Daniel: your body shall be stained. V. 24. Another, perhaps there shall be long-suffering. John Chrysostom on Daniel.

DANIELIS CAPUT V

1. Heb. and against a thousand he drank wine. The Rest, ... and before a thousand he drank wine. Th. and over against them a thousand, wine, and drinking. Vul. and every one drank according to his age. 7. Th. and the third. 11. Heb. spirit of the holy gods. The Rest, spirit of the holy God. Th. spirit of God. Vul. spirit of the holy gods. 12. Th. held. Another, hidden. 15. Th. they shall read. Another, they shall know. 16. Th. vacat. Another, and to loose bindings.

Notes and various readings to chapter V of Daniel. V. 1. Jerome: "But every one of the princes called drank according to his age: or as the other Interpreters have translated, the king himself drank wine before the princes whom he had called." Jerome does not adduce here the words of the other Interpreters, but only the sense, as is clear from the version of Theodotion, who is one of the others, whose final words, however, now vary. V. 7. Jerome: "Either the third after me, or one of the three princes, whom elsewhere we read as phesarim." V. 11. The Rest, spirit of the holy God etc. Drusius. Jerome however has it thus: "Except Symmachus, who followed the Chaldaic truth, the rest have interpreted it as spirit of God." V. 12. In the edition of Theodotion, it is read *kratoumena* [held] from the Chaldaic *min*, *krateo* for the Heb. *min*, *t* changed into *d* according to custom. The Alexandrian Chronicle also has *kratoumena*. In the Complutensian edition is *kruptomena* [hidden], which appears to be another version. V. 15. Another, they shall know. From the Alexandrian Chronicle. V. 16. Another, and to loose bindings. John Chrysostom on Daniel.

DANIELIS CHAPTER VI

1. Heb. Darius. LXX, Artaxerxes. Th. Vul. Darius. 2. Heb. presidents. A. prefects. S. Vul. princes. LXX, two men. Th. orderers, or prefects of orders. 3. Heb. Vul. he thought to establish him. Another, he had in mind to establish him. Th. he established him. 4. Heb. from the side of the kingdom. Another, from the flanks of the kingdom. In Th. vacat. Another, from the kingdom. Vul. from the side of the king. Heb. and corruption. A. Th. and sin. Vul. and suspicion. 8. Heb. that he may not transgress: to all respect this. Another, that it may not be violated in his sight. In Th. vacat. Vul. nor let it be allowed to any to prevaricate. Furthermore. 13. Heb. and concerning the decree which you set down. Another, and concerning the decree which you have established. Th. vacat. Vul. and concerning the edict, which you have established. 14. Heb. Th. and even to the sunset. Vul. and even to the setting of the sun. 15. Another, they watched the king. Th. vacat. Vul. understanding the king. 27. Heb. Th. from the hand of the lions.

Notes and various readings to chapter VI of Daniel. V. 1. Jerome: "For Darius, the LXX have interpreted Artaxerxes." They interpret the name *Ahasuerus* in the history of Esther in the same way. [Which verse is numbered 4 in the LXX, is 2 in the Heb. And so successively throughout this whole chapter. DRACH.] V. 2. Jerome: "For princes, which Symmachus

translated as *taktikous* (marshals), Theodotion interpreted as *synektikous* (restrictors). And when I asked who those in the LXX edition were, I read more clearly those who said: "And two men whom he appointed with him, and a hundred and twenty satraps," etc. ^A V. 4. Another: "expected from the kingdom." Drusius from the notes of the Roman edition, where it is said that in some copies Theodoret has it; and Chrysostom in Daniel has it so. Ibid. Jerome: "For the suspicion, Theodotion and Aquila were interpreted; which in Chaldaic is called ESSAITHA. And when I asked a Hebrew what it signified, he replied that the power of the word sounded as *delear* (a lure), which we can call an enticement or an error. Moreover, Euripides in Medea, by *pi* and not by *beta*, calls it *amartias* (sins)." ^B V. 8. Another: "so that he might not," etc. John Chrysostom. V. 13. Another: "and even unto," etc. Idem. V. 14. Another: "and even unto," etc. Idem. V. 15. Another: "they observed," etc. Idem. V. 27. Theodotion here preserved the Hebraism, as the LXX did in the Psalms: "from the hand of the dog." Some: "from the mouth of the lions."

DANIEL CHAPTER VII

Notas and various readings to ch. VII of Daniel. V. 1. Another: "and the head," etc. Drusius, who adds: "There is elsewhere, 'the beginning of his words': and in Theodoret it is added." And so Chrysostom reads. V. 2. Another: "in my vision," etc. Drusius. Chrysost. "in the vision." V. 7. Another: "great." Drusius. V. 9. Another: "and the Ancient of Days." Theodoret, some of the interpreters... instead of "the Ancient of Days," have placed "the one aging the days." V. 10. Another: "was drawing forth." Drusius. V. 17. Another: "the great beasts." Idem. V. 25. Jerome: "Symm., and he will speak words as if God." Idem. Ibid. Jerome: "and he will age," etc. Drusius brings these readings and says that in others it is read with this scholion in the margin: "that is, he will cause a scattering for them." ^D Ibid. Schol. Justin has "he will expect." V. 28. Another: "and the word," etc. Drusius.

DANIEL CHAPTER VIII

Θ. "Vacat" (Empty). Hebrew: "which is in the province of Elam." S.: "which is in the city of Elam." LXX: "which is in the region of Elimaïs." Th.: "which is in the region of Ælam." Vul.: "which is in the region of Elam." H.: "upon the river Ulai." A.: "upon the Ubal of Ulai." S.: "upon the marsh of Ulai." LXX: "upon the gate of Ulai." Th.: "upon the Ubal." Vul.: "upon the gate of Ulai." 3. H. Th.: "and one higher than the other." Alius: "and more exalted." Vul.: "and one higher." 5. H.: "a horn of vision between his eyes." Alius: "a conspicuous horn between his eyes." Th.: "a horn in the middle of his eyes." Vul.: "a signal horn between his eyes." 6. H. Vul.: "standing." Alius: "of one standing." Th.: "standing." 9. H.: "small." Th.: "strong." Vul.: "modicum" (small/moderate). Heb.: "Alius, et to the East." In Th.: "vacat." Vul.: "and against the East." H.: "and to the ornament." Th. Vul.: "and against the strength." Alius: "and to the West." 10. Hebr. Vul.: "and he cast down." Th.: "and he fell" or "he cast down." H.: "from the army." Th.: "from the virtue of heaven." Vul.: "from the strength." 11. H.: "and he trampled them." Alius: "them." H.: "and even unto the prince of the army he was magnified." Alius: "and even unto the prince of virtue he became great." Th.: "and until the leader of the army shall have delivered the captivity." Vul.: "and even unto the prince of strength it was magnified." 12. Heb.: "in transgression." Alius: "in iniquity." Th.: "the sin." Vul.: "on account of sins." 13. Heb.: "to a certain one." A. LXX. Th.: "to Phelmoni." S.: "I know not to whom." Vul.: "to another I know not to whom." 14. Hebr.: "three hundred." Alius, Vul.: "three hundred." Th.: "four hundred." 19. Heb.: "Alius, in the latest of anger." Th.: "in the latest of anger." Vul.: "in the latest of malediction." 24. Heb.: "and not in his strength." In Th.: "vacat." Vul.: "and not in his strength." 25. H.: "and against the prince of princes he shall stand." Alius, Vul.: "and against the prince of princes shall he rise." Th.: "and he shall stand over the destructions of many." 27. H.: "Alius, days." Th.: "vacat."

Notes and various readings on Chapter VIII of Daniel

^A Chrysostom. V. 12. "Another: in a fall." Idem. V. 13. Jerome: "For 'unto another,' I know not what, which Symmachus interpreted, both Theodotion and the Septuagint have placed the Hebrew word itself." The Corbie manuscript has in Latin characters PHELMONI.

DANIELIS CHAPTER IX

^B V. 2. "Another: in one year of his reign." Theodotion: it is vacant. V. 3. It is vacant. "Another: and in ashes." V. 5. "Another: we have acted unjustly, we have acted impiously." Theodotion: "We have acted unjustly, we have acted lawlessly." V. 23. Symmachus: "man of desires." Theodotion: "man of desires." V. 24. "Another: they were tested." "Another: they were judged." Theodotion: "they were cut off." Aquila: "upon thy people, and upon thy holy city." Symmachus: "against thy people, and thy holy city." Theodotion: "upon thy people, and upon the holy city." ^C Aquila: "to finish the transgression, and to complete sin." Theodotion: "that sin may be finished, and that sins may be sealed." Aquila: "and to make reconciliation for iniquity." Theodotion: "and to blot out unrighteousnesses, and to make reconciliation for unrighteousnesses." Theodotion: "and to seal vision and prophet, and to anoint the holy of holies." Aquila: "and after the seven weeks, and sixty-two, the anointed shall be destroyed, and it is not for him." Symmachus: "and after the weeks seven and sixty-two, Christ shall be cut off, and it shall not exist for him." Theodotion: "and after the sixty-two weeks, the anointing shall be destroyed, and judgment is not in it." ^D Aquila: "and the city and the holy place the people of the coming leader shall destroy." Theodotion: "and the city and the holy place he shall destroy with the leader who is coming." ^A H. "Another: and in ashes." V. 23. Symmachus: "man of desires." V. 24. "Another: they were tested." "upon the people."

[Latin Column corresponding to the above]

V. 14. Jerome: "Some read two thousand two hundred for two thousand three hundred, so that six years and three months do not appear to remain." The succeeding readings of this chapter also proceed from Drusius and from the Roman edition. V. 2. Heb.: "In one year of his reign." Th.: it is vacant. Vul.: "in one year of his reign." V. 3. "Another, Vul.: and in ashes." Th.: it is vacant. V. 5. H.: "we have acted prevaricatively, and we have acted impiously." Another: "we have acted iniquitously, we have acted impiously." Th.: "we have acted unjustly, we have acted iniquitously." Vul.: "we have committed iniquity, we have acted impiously." V. 23. Vul.: "man of desires." V. 24. H.: "decided." Another: "tested." Another: "decreed." Th., Vul.: "are shortened." Heb.: "upon thy people, and upon the city of thy holiness." A.: "upon thy people, and upon thy sanctified city." S.: "against thy people, and thy holy city." Th.: "upon thy people, and upon the holy city." Vul.: "upon thy people, and upon thy holy city." H.: "to consume the prevarication, and to seal sins." A.: "to consume the prevarication, and to consume sin." Th.: as Vul.: "that the prevarication may be consumed, and may receive an end to sin," and "sins may be sealed." H., A.: "and to expiate iniquity." Th.: "and iniquities may be blotted out, and iniquities may be expiated." Vul.: "and iniquity may be blotted out." H.: "and to seal vision and prophecy, and to anoint the holiness of holinesses." LXX, Th.: "and vision and prophet may be sealed, and the holy of holies may be anointed." Vul.: "and vision and prophecy may be fulfilled, and the holy of holies may be anointed." V. 26. Heb.: "and after sixty-two weeks, the anointed shall be cut off and not for him." A.: "and after seven weeks and sixty-two, the anointed shall be destroyed and it is not for him." S.: "and after weeks seven and sixty-two, Christ shall be cut off and it shall not exist for him." Th.: "and after sixty-two weeks, the anointing shall be destroyed and judgment is not in it." Vul.: "and after sixty-two weeks Christ shall be killed, and his people shall not be." Heb.: "and the city and the holiness the people of the coming leader shall destroy." A.: "and the city and the holy place the people of the coming leader shall corrupt." Th.: "and the city and the sanctuary he shall destroy with the leader coming." Vul.: "and the city and the sanctuary the people with the coming leader shall dissipate."

Notes and various readings on chapter IX of Daniel

V. 2. "Another: in one year of the reign, etc." Drusius from the Roman edition. V. 5. "Another: and in ashes." John Chrysostom on Daniel. V. 5. "Another: we have acted unjustly, we have acted impiously." Drusius. V. 23. Symmachus: "man of desires." Idem. V. 24. "Another: they were tested." Thus from Theodoret. Ibid. "Another: upon the people, etc." We produce all these readings of Aquila and Symmachus until the end of the chapter from the Evangelical Demonstration of Eusebius.

^A Ibid. O', Θ., and to seal the prophet, to anoint the most holy. And to finish the vision and ^B [DANIELIS CAPUT X] 4. Heb. Heddekel. Th. Tigris Eddecel. Vul. Tigris. 5. Heb. Th. Vul. and behold a man. S. (as a man). Heb. A. Vulg. linen. S. principal things. LXX, byssine. Th. baddin. Heb. and his loins were girded with fine gold. A. and his loins were girded with the color of Ophaz. Th. and his loins were girded with gold of Ophaz. Vul. and his loins were girded with gold of Ophaz. 6. Heb. and his body was like the chrysolite. A. Vul. and his body was like the chrysolite. S. Th. and his body was like Tharsis. LXX, and his body was like the sea. 9. Heb. Another, the voice of his words. Th. the voice of his words. 10. Heb. and the palms of my hands. Another, and the joints of my hands. Th. vacat. Vul. and upon the joints of my hands. 11. Heb. Th. Vul. man of desires. S. desirable. 13. Heb. Another, one of the first princes. Th. one of the princes. Vul. one of the first princes. 16. Heb. Another, my Lord. Th. Lord.

[Notes and various lectiones on chapter X of Daniel.] V. 4. Θ., Tigris Eddecel. These appear to be two interpretations. Tigris is Diglath in Chaldean. Pliny says it is called Diglito by the inhabitants. But in some codices, Tigris, and in others only Heddekel is repeated. Drusius noted this. V. 5. Jerome: "For that which we have translated according to the Hebrew, 'behold a man,' Symmachus put, 'as a man.' For he was not a man, but had the likeness of a man." Ibid. Jerome: "For 'lines' which Aquila translated, Theodotion has put BADDIM. LXX, 'byssine' (fine linen); Sym., 'exaireta', that is, 'principal'." [Polychronius, however, attributes this reading to Aquila, which S. Jerome attributes to Symmachus. DRACH.] Ibid. Jerome: "With fine gold. For which in Hebrew OPHAZ is read, which Aquila translated thus: 'And his loins were girded with the color of Ophaz'." V. 6. Jerome: "For 'chrysolite,' which is one of the twelve stones that are placed in the High Priest's breastplate, the Hebrew has THARSIS: which Theodotion and Symmachus translated with the same word, but the LXX called it 'the sea'." Drusius. V. 9. "Another, the voice of his words." Drusius. V. 10. Idem. V. 11. Jerome: "For 'man of desires,' Symmachus translated 'the desirable man'." V. 13. "Another, one of the first princes." V. 16. Jerome: "'My Lord, in thy vision my front parts are turned into me.' Thus Theodotion translated."

[DANIELIS CAPUT XI] 10. Heb. Vul. the army of many. Another, of many powers. Th. in the midst of many. 16. Heb. in the land of ornament. A. Vul. in the glorious land. S. in the land of strength. LXX, in the land of desire. Th. in the land of Sabei. 29. Heb. and it shall not be as before, and so after. The Syrian, and he will not do as before, also the last. Th. and it will not be as the first, also the last. Vul. and the last shall not be like the former. 30. Heb. Th. and he shall be humbled. Another, and they shall be smitten. Vul. and he shall be smitten. Heb. and he shall understand over those who abandon the covenant.

^A Another, and arms. Th. and seeds. Another, and upon the God of gods. Th. a consummation is made. Another, and haste. Th. for it is made unto a consummation. 31. Heb. Another, and Vul. and arms. Th. and seeds. 36. Heb. Another, and upon the God of gods. Th. vacat. Vul. and against the God of gods. H. because it is decided, it is done. Al. in him there shall be a consummation. Th. for it is made unto consumeration. Al. and haste. Vul. for a decided matter is accomplished. 37. Heb. And upon the God of his fathers he will not understand, and upon the desire of women, and upon every god he will not understand. A. And upon the God of his fathers he will not understand, and upon the concupiscence of women, and upon every god he will not understand. LXX, and to the concupiscence of women he will not be subject. Th. And upon all the gods of his fathers he will not understand, and not of every god will he understand. Vul. And the God of his fathers he will not regard: and he will be in the concupiscence of women, and he will not care for any god. 38. Heb. Th. and the god Maozim. ^B A. The God of forces. LXX, The God most strong. Vul. But the god Maozim. 39. Heb. And he shall perform to the fortifications of Maozim with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge: he will multiply glory, and will make them rule in many: and he shall divide the land in price. Th. And he shall perform in the fortifications of refuges with a strange god: and he shall multiply glory: and he shall subject many to them: and he shall divide the land in gifts. Vul. And he shall perform that he may fortify Maozim with a strange god, whom he hath known, and he shall multiply glory, and shall give them power in many, and shall divide the land for free gifts. 40. Heb. and he shall inundate. Th. Vul. and he shall utterly smite. ^C Another, in the floods. 41. Heb. in the land of Sabaim. Vul. into the glorious land. And many shall fall. S. and many thousands shall fall. Th. and many shall be infirm. 45. Heb. and he shall plant the tabernacle of his palace between the seas in the mountain of the glory of holiness, and shall come even to the summit of it. A. And he shall plant the tabernacle of his praetorium between the seas in the glorious and holy mountain Sabin, and shall come even to the end of it. Symm. from Jerome. And he shall extend the pavilions of his cavalry between the seas upon the holy mountain of strength, and shall come even to the vertex of the mountain. LXX, And he shall set his tabernacle then between the seas, and the holy mountain of will, and the hour of his consummation shall come. Th. and he shall fix his tabernacle in Ephadano between the seas in the holy mountain Sabaim, and shall come even to his part. Vul. And he shall fix his tabernacle Apadno between the seas, upon the glorious and holy mountain, and shall come even to its summit.

Notes and various readings on Daniel ch. XI

what we have said: "and it shall be in the concupiscences of women," is placed ambiguously, as Aquila says, who expressed word for word, *and towards God etc.* to which he joins the interpretation, as we have published, and brought the LXX version. V. 38. Hier.: "For the god MAOZIM, which is had in the Hebrew, Aq. translated, God of fortresses; LXX, Most strong God." [L. Bos: Aq., *God of strengths*. DRACH.] V. 39. Hieronymus has brought the version of Theodotion, quite different from its current Greek text: "And he shall do these things, that he may fortify the strongholds with an alien god, and when he has shown them, he shall multiply honor, and shall make them rule over many, and shall divide the land for free." [Lamb. Bos thus offers these in Greek. Bos: Th., *and he shall do these things to strengthen the fortifications with an alien god, and after showing them he shall multiply glory.* The rest are wanting. S. Hier. teaches that Symmachus said *refuges* instead of *strongholds*. Namely, of Theodotion, who translated the Hebrew *maozim* as *fortresses*. DRACH.] In the notes of the Roman edition it is read. Theodoretus, see above at verse 16. Ibid. Hieronymus: "and many shall fall." For which Symmachus interpreted: "and many thousands shall fall"; Theodotio, "and many shall be infirm." But take "many shall fall," according to Aquila, either as cities, or regions, or provinces. [Lamb. Bos: For Th., DRACH.] V. 45. Hieronymus: "Symmachus interpreted this place thus: *and he shall stretch out etc.* (as above) which sounds in Latin, *and he shall stretch out his pavilions etc.* Theodotio, *and he shall fix his tabernacle in Apadano.* (Ms. Corb. *and he shall fix his tabernacle EPAAANO*, second hand, *EPEANO*) *between the seas in the holy mount of Saba, and he shall come even to its part.* Aquila (Ms. Corb. adds thus): *And he shall plant the tabernacle of his praetorium in Apadan* (Ms. Corb. *of his praetorium APEANO*) *between the seas in the glorious and holy mount, and he shall come even to its end.* The LXX alone, freeing themselves from every question of the name, interpreted: *And he shall set his tabernacle then between the seas, and the holy mount of desire, and the hour of his consummation shall come.* Following whom Apollinarius, regarding the name APEANO, was entirely silent. Moreover, the Corbie manuscript confirms these readings, when Hieron. says below: 'Note however that whereas (we follow ms. Corb.) the Hebrew speech does not have the letter P, but uses f instead of it, the power of which the Greek φ sounds, in this place only among the Hebrews it is indeed written *fe*, but read *pe*.' You shall observe, moreover, that in the Corbie manuscript, in is rightly omitted before *pe*."

DANIEL CHAPTER XII.

3. Heb. *And the intelligent shall shine as the splendor of the firmament, and those who justify the many as the stars to eternity and further.* LXX, Th. *And the intelligent shall shine as the splendor of the firmament, and from the just, the many* (al. *most*) *as stars to eternity and the splendor of the firmament, and those who teach unto justice*. Vul. *But they that are learned shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that instruct many to justice, as stars for all eternity.*

7. Heb. *for a set time, times, a time.* Al. Vul. *for a time and times.* Th. *for a time of times.* H. *And when it shall be finished to scatter the hand of the people of holiness, all these things shall be consumed.* Th. *And when the dispersion shall be finished, they shall know all these things.* Alius, *and when the dispersion of the hand of the sanctified people shall be finished, they shall know.* Vul. *And when the scattering of the hand of the people of the saints shall be completed, all these things shall be finished.*

13. Heb. *But go thou to the end, and thou shalt rest, and shalt stand in thy lot in the end of the days.* Th. *But thou, go and rest. For yet days and hours to the completion of the consummation, and thou shalt rise into thy lot in the consummation of days.* Vul. *But go thou at the end: and thou shalt rest, and thou shalt stand in thy lot unto the end of the days.*

Notes and various readings on Chapter XII of Daniel.

V. 3. Hieronymus: "Which place Theodotio and the Vulgate edition expressed thus: *And the intelligent etc.*" as above. Ibid. *Another*, *And when it shall be finished etc.* From John Chrysostom on Daniel. V. 7. *Another*, *for a time etc.* Drusius from the Roman edition. V. 13. Hieron.: "For which Theodotio interpreted: *But thou go and rest, and thou shalt rise in thy lot in the consummation of days.*"