The vocabulary of this verse is intentionally different (metaphorical) and takes its inspiration from the theme in Isa 26.19, although some maintain that the reference in Isaiah relates better to verses 1-4 above.

But: in some languages a different transition word must be sought to introduce this concluding verse of the Book of Daniel. Moffatt leaves it untranslated, and Good News Translation prefers “and.” Naturalness in the receptor language will have to be the determining factor.

Go your way till the end: the initial imperative is the same admonition as in verse 9, but the context here is slightly different. Translators should, however, still avoid using an imperative with negative connotations. Here it is possible to translate “be at peace until the end,” “hold fast to the end,” or something similar. The end referred to here is probably that of Daniel, that is, his earthly existence, in which case the best translation may be “till the end of your days” or “to the end of your life.” But given the rest of the verse, it is quite possible to translate in more general terms here: “to the end.” The words till the end at this point in the verse are omitted in certain manuscript evidence and are therefore dropped by some English versions (New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New Revised Standard Version), but translators are advised to retain these words.

You shall rest: this is a reference to Daniel’s death. Depending on the translator’s language, it may or may not be acceptable to make a clear reference to death here. Where possible it is probably a good idea to use a clearly understood euphemism rather than a direct statement about death.

And shall stand in your allotted place: the Hebrew word corresponding to allotted place in the ancient texts is the name of the objects (stones or dice) used in drawing lots. By extension it refers to whatever is gained by the drawing of the lot (see for example, the stories of the dividing up of the Promised Land in Num 26.55-56 and Josh 15.1). Here the idea of drawing lots is not in focus, and the word simply means “that which is set aside (by God) for a person.” Some renderings are “your share” (Moffatt), “your allotted inheritance” (New International Version), “your reward” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, and Anchor Bible), and “your destiny” (New Jerusalem Bible and Revised English Bible).

The verb stand is a figure of speech for the final resurrection, as is indicated by the addition of the words at the end of the days (compare verse 2). Many English versions render the verb “rise” or “arise” and one translation even has “rise from the dead” (New Century Version). The last expression may be rendered in some languages as “at the end of the world,” “at the end of the age” (Revised English Bible), or “at the end of time” (Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible).

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 .