There is no paragraph break in Revised Standard Version or most other versions at this point, but Good News Translation begins a new paragraph here. However, the flow of the narrative may require that the speech of the king not be divided at this point.

Therefore: another way of showing the transition may be to say “Consequently.” Bible en français courant has “This is why…,” and New Jerusalem Bible begins the verse with “I hereby give an order….”

Make a decree: the verb used here gives the idea of a public proclamation from the highest authority. In some situations it may be advisable to say something like “as king I command that….”

In Aramaic the rest of the verse is probably indirect discourse, but in many languages it may be desirable to shift to direct discourse and present the actual text of the decree within quotation marks. It must be noted, however, that this will mean a quotation within another quotation, and this presents serious problems in some languages. Translators must simply resort to the most natural form in their own language, whether indirect or direct discourse.

People, nation, or language: these are the same words as found in the list in verse 4; only the form is slightly different. As in the previous case the idea of universality is what is important. But the focus is on any individual who may show disrespect for the God of these young men. A possible model for restructuring this verse is Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch: “This is why I communicate the following order to all peoples of my kingdom: ‘If anyone speaks….’ ”

Speaks anything against: the Aramaic word carries the idea of negligence or lack of respect. Some other possible wordings are “speaks disrespectfully of” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “says a word against” (Moffatt). Several English translations (New Revised Standard Version, New English Bible/Revised English Bible, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible) use the rather strong verb “blaspheme” or the noun “blasphemy” to convey the idea of this verb.

The God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: see comments on this expression in verse 28.

Shall be torn limb from limb: this is essentially the same expression as in 2.5, but in the third person singular form here. The fact that it is a passive will require adjustment in some languages. If it has to be made active, translators may consider having the king say something like “my men will cut him to pieces,” or “my servants will dismember him.”

Houses laid in ruins: this verb will also have to be made active in those languages where the passive form is unnatural or nonexistent. As above, we may say “my men will demolish their houses” or “my servants will totally destroy their houses.”

For: this shows the relationship between the statement that follows and the decree itself. It is because there is no other god capable of such a dramatic deliverance that the decree has been issued. While it may be possible simply to present this as a separate statement at the end of the decree as in Good News Translation, it is probably better to show the relationship more clearly. Some possible transition words are “because” (Anchor Bible and King James Version) or “the reason is that….”

No other god: the Aramaic word in this context is a common noun, so it would be a mistake to spell the word god with a capital letter as in King James Version. Further, the whole phrase may have to be reworded in some languages, since it is inconceivable that there would be another god. In those cases translators may have to say something like “there is no other power.”

Deliver: see the use of the term in verses 15, 17, and 28.

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 .