They drank wine: since the concluding words of the previous verse are “drank from them,” these words in verse 4 may be considered an unnecessary repetition, depending on the structure of the translation. They are thus omitted by Good News Translation. But if this repetition is not troublesome in the receptor language, it may be retained; it serves to highlight the relationship between the drinking and the praise offered to the false gods. Some translations begin this verse “While drinking, they praised….”

Gods of gold …: in this context some languages will require the word for “idols” rather than “gods.” The relationship between these objects and the various materials listed afterward should be made clear: the gods or “idols” were made of these materials. Note that the most expensive material is mentioned first, followed by materials of decreasing value.

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 .