This verse contains two vocative expressions that are widely separated in Revised Standard Version. In many languages it may be advisable to combine O our God at the beginning of the verse with O Lord, which is found toward the end. It may be more natural to say “O Lord our God” toward the beginning of the verse.

Now therefore: literally “and now” as in New Jerusalem Bible. This is the same transition word used at the beginning of verse 15. But here it seems to make a less prominent transition from the condition of the people, verse 16b, to the appeal in verse 17.

The prayer of thy servant … his supplications: here Daniel refers to himself in the third person in order to show his submission to God (compare 2.4, where the wise men speak of themselves in this way before the king). But in most languages such a third person reference in this context would only confuse the reader. It will be better to say “hear my prayer, for I am your servant” or something similar.

For thy own sake, O Lord: the traditional Hebrew text has “for the Lord’s sake” at this point, making the statement indirect rather than direct discourse. But several ancient versions read as Revised Standard Version, “for your own sake, Lord,” and this is followed by many other modern translations. This may be done because of translation principles if not for textual reasons. If the traditional reading is followed, the meaning will be something like “so that people may know that you are the Lord” or “for your benefit, Lord.” This is the interpretation followed by Good News Translation, but for some unknown reason “God” is substituted for Lord. This change, however, is not recommended.

Cause thy face to shine upon: this unusual idiomatic expression is familiar because of the well-known benediction in Num 6.25. The idea is to “look with favor on” (New International Version) or “deal kindly with” (Anchor Bible). New Jerusalem Bible attempts to retain something of the form of the original with the expression “let your face smile again on,” and a very similar turn of phrase is used by Moffatt, but somehow these sound a bit unnatural.

Thy sanctuary: as in 8.11, 13, 14, this refers to the Temple, and in most languages it is probably advisable to say this clearly.

Which is desolate: that is, “which has been devastated” or “which is in ruins.”

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 .