O king: see 2.4.
Let my counsel be acceptable to you: the translation should make it clear that the advice being talked about is found in the words that follow. In some cases this can be made clear by the use of a colon to introduce the actual advice. In others it will be better to say “please comply with this (following) advice,” “I beg you to accept what I am about to say,” or simply “take my advice” (New American Bible and Anchor Bible).
Break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed: once again the parallel structure of the original is driving at a single point. The verb break off carries over to the second part, where your iniquities is parallel to your sins in the first part. It may be difficult to find two different words for sins and iniquities that are natural in some languages. Also, practicing righteousness and showing mercy are roughly equivalent, although the addition of to the oppressed is an important new element. Where the resources of the language permit, these items should be distinguished. It will be noted that a Good News Translation footnote indicates that this whole phrase may possibly be translated “Make up for your sins by doing what is right and by being merciful to the poor,” or as New Revised Standard Version has it, “atone for your sins with righteousness.” But this interpretation is not recommended. Also the translation of the oppressed by “the poor” in Good News Translation is not recommended, since it will very likely carry different connotations.
Perhaps: the Aramaic text is not as strongly affirmative as the Good News Translation rendering would suggest; and the element of doubt conveyed by this particle should be retained in translation. Revised English Bible begins a new sentence for the last part of this verse: “It may be that you will enjoy long contentment.”
A lengthening of your tranquility: the word translated tranquility has a somewhat broader meaning. It is perhaps more accurately rendered “prosperity” (New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, and Moffatt, as well as Good News Translation).
Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .