Then: the connection between the order (in verse 2) and its being obeyed is indicated by this transition word. Some versions take the relationship to be a logical one (“So” in New English Bible/Revised English Bible as well as New Revised Standard Version), while others make it a time relationship (Then in Revised Standard Version and others, or “At once” in Good News Translation). What is important is that the relationship be clear and natural in the translation.

They: it is not clear who this pronoun refers to, but probably something like “the king’s servants” should be in the mind of the reader.

Golden and silver vessels: while both gold and silver are mentioned in the order given in the previous verse, it is questionable whether both types of containers were actually brought in to the banquet. Although Revised Standard Version and a number of other English versions indicate that there were containers made of both gold and silver, the Aramaic text here has only “golden vessels.” The addition of silver vessels comes from the Greek translation of Theodotion. However, a number of modern versions (including Good News Translation, New International Version, and New Jerusalem Bible in English) prefer to retain the reading of the Aramaic text and omit the mention of “silver.” This is also the reading recommended by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project and Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament. Revised English Bible and certain other versions leave out any reference to gold or silver, saying only “those vessels.”

Temple: see verse 2 and comments.

Lords … wives … concubines: see comments on verse 2 above.

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 .