Many versions, including both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, begin a new paragraph here. However, others (New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible/Revised English Bible) make the paragraph break at verse 14, while New Jerusalem Bible makes it at verse 13. Given the close relationship between the anger of the king and the statement of his advisers that provoked it, it may be better not to make a break at this point unless translators are following the principle of beginning a new paragraph after every direct quotation.

Because of this: that is, because of the statement quoted in the previous verse. Most English versions have “At this…” or “At that….” But New International Version has “This made the king so angry….” Other languages may prefer “Because of what they said…” or “As soon as they finished saying that….”

Angry and very furious: the Aramaic puts together two terms that mean almost the same thing to express a single idea (compare verse 6, “gifts and rewards”). The idea here is that of extreme anger. It has been rendered “became violently angry” (New American Bible), “flew into a violent rage” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “lost his temper” (New English Bible).

And commanded: the relationship between the king’s violent anger and his order is less clear in Revised Standard Version. Clearly it was because of his anger that he issued the decree. This may be made clearer in some languages by saying something like “became so angry that he commanded….”

All the wise men of Babylon: the more general Aramaic word for wise men here is intended to include all four of the terms given in verse 2 (magicians, sorcerers, enchanters, and Chaldeans).

Be destroyed: instead of the verb “destroy,” this context may require “execute” or simply “kill.” And in languages where the passive form is unnatural or nonexistent, translators may need to say “ordered the death of…” or “commanded that they (indefinite) slaughter….” In verse 14 it becomes clear that it was “the king’s guard” that was to carry out this order.

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 .