In Revised Standard Version the sentence begun in the previous verse continues in this verse. But it will probably be better in most languages to start a new sentence here, as some modern English versions do. The sentence can probably begin “They were to ask God…,” or “He urged them to pray…,” or something similar.

The God of heaven: this same expression is found four more times in this chapter (verses 19, 28, 37 and 44). This was a common way of referring to the LORD during a certain period in the life of the Jewish people. But because of its similarity to a pagan expression, it was later rejected. Compare also “King of heaven” in 4.37 and “Lord of heaven” in 5.23.

This mystery: the word for mystery, which appears again in verses 19, 27-30, 47, and in 4.9 (Aramaic 4.6), is a loan word from Persian. Here the mystery involved is the meaning of the king’s dream. In some languages it will be important to state this by saying “the mystery of the king’s dream” or “the secret meaning of what the king dreamed.” Some interpreters have stated that this mystery refers to the situation of Daniel, and his friends who were threatened with death, but this is hardly convincing.

Daniel and his companions: in this context it will probably be more natural in many languages to use the pronoun “they” or “them” (depending on the structure of the sentence) instead of the more lengthy noun phrase, since this is an indirect quotation of what Daniel said to his three companions. In some cases, however, it may be more natural to transform it into a direct quote.

That … might not perish: literally “that they (indefinite) might not execute (Daniel and his friends).” For some languages the more literal version may provide a better model than either Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation.

With the rest of the wise men: the way the original is worded, it is uncertain whether or not the executions had already begun. If it is impossible to leave this question open in the translation, then it is probably better to consider that the execution had not yet begun (see verse 13). Also, the original wording does not indicate that Daniel and his friends selfishly sought to escape alone from the punishment that would be inflicted on the others. They were attempting to ensure the survival of all the wise men of Babylon, as verse 24 confirms.

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 .