Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. New Living Translation Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. English Standard Version Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Berean Standard Bible Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. King James Bible Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. New King James Version So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. New American Standard Bible Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel regarding government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. NASB 1995 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. NASB 1977 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Legacy Standard Bible Then the commissioners and satraps began seeking to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to matters of the kingdom; but they were not able to find any ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Amplified Bible Then the [other two] commissioners and the satraps began trying to find a reason to bring a complaint against Daniel concerning the [administration of the] kingdom; but they could find no reason for an accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was faithful [a man of high moral character and personal integrity], and no negligence or corruption [of any kind] was found in him. Christian Standard Bible The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. Holman Christian Standard Bible The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. American Standard Version Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Contemporary English Version The other men tried to find something wrong with the way Daniel did his work for the king. But they could not accuse him of anything wrong, because he was honest and faithful and did everything he was supposed to do. English Revised Version Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. GOD'S WORD® Translation So the other officials and satraps tried to find something to accuse Daniel of in his duties for the kingdom. But they couldn't find anything wrong because he was trustworthy. No error or fault could be found. Good News Translation Then the other supervisors and the governors tried to find something wrong with the way Daniel administered the empire, but they couldn't, because Daniel was reliable and did not do anything wrong or dishonest. International Standard Version Because of this, the administrators and regional authorities tried to bring allegations of dereliction of duty in government affairs against Daniel, but they were unable to find any charges of corruption. Daniel was trustworthy, and no evidence of negligence or corruption could be found against him. Majority Standard Bible Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. NET Bible Consequently the supervisors and satraps were trying to find some pretext against Daniel in connection with administrative matters. But they were unable to find any such damaging evidence, because he was trustworthy and guilty of no negligence or corruption. New Heart English Bible Then the administrators and the satraps sought to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful. Neither was there any error or fault found in him. Webster's Bible Translation Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. World English Bible Then the presidents and the local governors sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion or fault, because he was faithful. There wasn’t any error or fault found in him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThen the presidents and satraps have been seeking to find a cause of complaint against Daniel concerning the kingdom, and any cause of complaint and corruption they are not able to find, because that he [is] faithful, and any error and corruption have not been found in him. Young's Literal Translation Then the presidents and satraps have been seeking to find a cause of complaint against Daniel concerning the kingdom, and any cause of complaint and corruption they are not able to find, because that he is faithful, and any error and corruption have not been found in him. Smith's Literal Translation Then the presidents and satraps were seeking to find a pretext against Daniel from the part of the kingdom; and they will not be able to find any pretext and corruption, because that he was faithful, and any error and corruption was not found upon him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the king thought to set him over all the kingdom: whereupon the princes, and the governors sought to find occasion against Daniel with regard to the king: and they could find no cause, nor suspicion, because he was faithful, and no fault, nor suspicion was found in him Catholic Public Domain Version Furthermore, the king considered setting him over the entire kingdom; whereupon the leaders and the governors sought to find a complaint against Daniel and in favor of the king. And they could find no case, or even suspicion, because he was faithful, and no fault or suspicion was found in him. New American Bible Then the ministers and satraps tried to find grounds for accusation against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could not accuse him of any corruption. Because he was trustworthy, no fault or corruption was to be found in him. New Revised Standard Version So the presidents and the satraps tried to find grounds for complaint against Daniel in connection with the kingdom. But they could find no grounds for complaint or any corruption, because he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen the governors and generals sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the affairs of the kingdom; but they could find no fault or occasion because he was faithful to his God, neither were they able to find any blame or charge against him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Then the Rulers and the Generals of the Armies were seeking a pretext so that they would find something from the affairs of the kingdom against Daniel, and they found no offense or occasion against him, because he was faithful to his God, and they found no fault or folly concerning him OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Brenton Septuagint Translation Then the governors and satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel; but they found against him no occasion, nor trespass, nor error, because he was faithful. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Plot Against Daniel…3Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. 5Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel, unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”… Cross References Daniel 3:8-12 At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews, / saying to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, may you live forever! / You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue, ... Esther 3:8-9 Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.” Psalm 37:32 Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them, Psalm 56:5-6 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. / They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life. Psalm 59:3-4 See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD. / For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice. Jeremiah 18:18 Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.” Nehemiah 6:5-9 The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter / that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.” ... 1 Samuel 18:28-29 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, / he grew even more afraid of David. So from then on Saul was David’s enemy. 1 Kings 21:8-13 Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” ... Genesis 39:7-20 and after some time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said, “Sleep with me.” / But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care. / No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” ... Matthew 26:59-60 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward Mark 14:55-56 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. Luke 20:20-21 So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. / “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. John 11:47-53 Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ... Acts 6:11-14 Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. ... Treasury of Scripture Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; for as much as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Cir. Daniel 3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. Genesis 43:18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. Judges 14:4 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. but. 1 Samuel 18:14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. 1 Samuel 19:4,5 And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to theeward very good: … 1 Samuel 22:14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? Jump to Previous Accusation Affairs Commissioners Corruption Daniel Error Evidence Faithful Fault Find Forasmuch Found Government Ground Inasmuch Kingdom Negligence Occasion Presidents Princes Regard Satraps Sought Touching TryingJump to Next Accusation Affairs Commissioners Corruption Daniel Error Evidence Faithful Fault Find Forasmuch Found Government Ground Inasmuch Kingdom Negligence Occasion Presidents Princes Regard Satraps Sought Touching TryingDaniel 6 1. Daniel is made chief of the presidents.4. They, conspiring against him, obtain an idolatrous decree. 10. Daniel, accused of the breach thereof, is cast into the lion's den. 18. Daniel is saved; 24. his adversaries devoured; 25. and God magnified by a decree. Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom The administrators and satraps were high-ranking officials in the Medo-Persian Empire, which had recently conquered Babylon. Their attempt to find a charge against Daniel reflects the political intrigue and jealousy common in ancient courts. Daniel, a Jewish exile, had risen to a position of significant influence, which likely provoked envy among native officials. This scenario echoes the experiences of other biblical figures like Joseph, who also faced false accusations due to his integrity and favor with God (Genesis 39). but they could find no charge or corruption because he was trustworthy and no negligence or corruption was found in him Persons / Places / Events 1. DanielA Jewish exile in Babylon who rose to a high position in the government due to his exceptional qualities and faithfulness to God. 2. Administrators and Satraps High-ranking officials in the Persian Empire who were envious of Daniel's favor with the king and sought to undermine him. 3. The Kingdom Refers to the Persian Empire under King Darius, where Daniel served as one of the top administrators. 4. Charge Against Daniel The officials attempted to find fault in Daniel's conduct in his governmental duties but were unsuccessful. 5. Trustworthiness and Integrity Daniel's character is highlighted as being without fault, negligence, or corruption. Teaching Points Integrity in All CircumstancesDaniel's life exemplifies the importance of maintaining integrity, even when under scrutiny or facing opposition. Believers are called to be trustworthy in all areas of life. Faithfulness in Work Daniel's diligence and excellence in his work serve as a model for Christians to perform their duties with the utmost care and dedication, reflecting God's glory in their professional lives. Handling Opposition Daniel's experience teaches us how to handle opposition with grace and steadfastness, relying on God's strength and wisdom rather than compromising our values. Living Above Reproach As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to live lives that are above reproach, so that even when others seek to find fault, they will find none.(4) Concerning the kingdom--i.e., in his official capacity. The plan of the conspirators was to place Daniel in such a situation that his civil and religious duties might be forced to clash with each other.Verses 4, 5 - Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. The rendering of the Septuagint is here very paraphrastic, "Then the two young men (νεανίσκοι) took counsel, and planned among themselves with each other, saying, Since they found no error nor neglect (ἄγνοιαν) against Daniel, about which they might accuse him to the king, and they said, Come, let us make a decree (ὁρισμόν) among ourselves, that no man shall make any request, or offer any prayer, to any god for thirty days, but only from Darius the king, and if not he shall die; in order that they might lower (ἡττήσωσι) Daniel before the king, and that he be thrown into the den of lions; for they knew that Daniel prayed and made supplication to the Lord his God three times a day." There are elements here of interpolation and of the coalescence of different renderings. It is difficult to understand how "the presidents" could be called νεανίσκοι. There seems no Aramaic word with that meaning, into which sarekeen could be read; certainly it is as difficult to imagine any one thinking of introducing that as a logical equivalent. Young men would not be put in such a responsible place, nor would they have thought of Daniel - a man of about eighty years - as a colleague with youths. There are evident traces of two readings having coalesced; thus we have ἀλλήλους λέγοντες followed by εϊπαν, after the course of the narrative has been interrupted by an inserted clause. As to the punishment to befall the transgressor of this decree, one statement is, "If not, he shall die" The next version of the punishment is brought into connection with the humiliation to be inflicted on Daniel, that "he may be cast into the den of lions." At the same time, the fact that we hear of the decree in connection with the consultation of these conspirators in the present text, is in harmony with what we find in the fourth chapter. In the original document not improbably the statement would be given - as in Genesis 41. in regard to Pharaoh's dreams - alike when the conspirators devise the plan, and when they carry it out. In regard to some of the differences, an explanation may be hazarded, but we will not delay. Notwithstanding that the Massoretic here is shorter than the Greek text, we fancy it is not difficult through it to find a shorter text still. The text of Theodotion is much briefer than either of the other texts, "And the presidents (τακτικοὶ) and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel, and they found neither occasion, nor fault, nor error against him, because he was faithful. And the presidents said, We shall not find occasion against Daniel except in regard to precepts (νομίμους) of his God." The Peshitta agrees in the main with the Massoretic. It makes Daniel faithful "towards God." That these co-presidents and the under-governors should be indignant that a Jew, who had actually been employed in the court of Nabunahid, should be put above those Babylonians who had admitted the shields of Guti into Esakkil, was natural. Of course, they could not seriously plead this before the governor Gobryas. They could not accuse Daniel directly of worshipping his national Deity, for the Persian rule in:Babylon, while zealous for the gods of Babylon, did not imply any assault on the deities of other subject races. It is to be noted that in the Septuagint the plot is concoeted by the two "youths," Daniel's co-presidents. They, most likely men of high rank, would feel most keenly that they were superseded by a Jew, and their feelings would naturally spread to those beneath them. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Thusאֱדַ֨יִן (’ĕ·ḏa·yin) Adverb Strong's 116: Then, thereupon the administrators סָֽרְכַיָּ֜א (sā·rə·ḵay·yā) Noun - masculine plural determinate Strong's 5632: Chief, overseer and satraps וַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֗א (wa·’ă·ḥaš·dar·pə·nay·yā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate Strong's 324: A satrap, governor, of a, main province sought הֲו֨וֹ (hă·wōw) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be a charge עִלָּ֛ה (‘il·lāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5931: Matter, affair, occasion against Daniel לְדָנִיֵּ֖אל (lə·ḏā·nî·yêl) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1841: Daniel -- 'God is my judge', an Israelite leader in Babylon concerning מִצַּ֣ד (miṣ·ṣaḏ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6655: At, upon the side of the kingdom, מַלְכוּתָ֑א (mal·ḵū·ṯā) Noun - feminine singular determinate Strong's 4437: Royalty, reign, kingdom but they could יָכְלִ֣ין (yā·ḵə·lîn) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 3202: To be able find לְהַשְׁכָּחָ֗ה (lə·haš·kā·ḥāh) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 7912: To discover no וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every charge עִלָּ֨ה (‘il·lāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5931: Matter, affair, occasion or corruption, וּשְׁחִיתָ֜ה (ū·šə·ḥî·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular Strong's 7844: To decay, ruin because קֳבֵל֙ (qo·ḇêl) Preposition Strong's 6903: In front of, before, because of, because that he ה֔וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1932: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was trustworthy, מְהֵימַ֣ן (mə·hê·man) Verb - Hifil - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 540: To trust and no כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every negligence שָׁלוּ֙ (šā·lū) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7960: Neglect, remissness or corruption וּשְׁחִיתָ֔ה (ū·šə·ḥî·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular Strong's 7844: To decay, ruin was found הִשְׁתְּכַ֖חַת (hiš·tə·ḵa·ḥaṯ) Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7912: To discover in him. עֲלֽוֹהִי׃ (‘ă·lō·w·hî) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against Links Daniel 6:4 NIVDaniel 6:4 NLT Daniel 6:4 ESV Daniel 6:4 NASB Daniel 6:4 KJV Daniel 6:4 BibleApps.com Daniel 6:4 Biblia Paralela Daniel 6:4 Chinese Bible Daniel 6:4 French Bible Daniel 6:4 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Daniel 6:4 Then the presidents and the satraps sought (Dan. 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