#sym alex (they/he)

[symerr]

Hiiii we love to be unfashionably late to things, so here's that one oc evolution meme! Featuring OCs that are also alters that are also OCs (you understand). Without further ado...

Fritz [TS3+4 c.2017 -> TS4 2024]

Carter [TS3+4 c.2017 -> TS4 2024]

The ts3 ones are actually bases our partner did, iirc? These two are technically shared ocs between the two of us, but we're the one with the dorks in our head, so we get last say rights lol. I'm going to ramble under the cut about my thoughts on it! :D

I feel like, above all else, we've found a better middle-ground between cartoon-y and realistic sims! Especially with Carter's 2017 sims, he's almost uncanny, I'd say? The eyes feel weird to me at least, but with the 2024 one, I think we figured out how to make him look like he's running on 10 minutes of sleep and 5 coffees without making me worried about him enough to ask him about it pffff.

We keep having repeated phases in our art where we draw people with too much weight or the opposite and there's no middle ground, and that's getting kinda apparent here too, which surprises me! I'd say Fritz' 2017 TS4 sim is definitely not as fat as he should be, while Carter's is too chubby for how he really is? We're still working on hitting the mark for the 2024 ones (Fritz could go a little fatter still and Carter could go thinner), but I think we're getting at least to a point where it's more realistic proportioning! I hope at least, heh...

Also, most notably, we started being more deliberate in our cc, heh. I think the 2017 ts4 sims only have like... Carter's septum as CC (pre-werewolves rip) I think? And the CAS bg of course. The 2017 ts3 sims do use CC, but our partner just... sent us a zip of all the ones she used, so that doesn't really count pfff.

[thedeafprophet]

Thnkin about tying aspects of seeing in apocyan into the Alex and fires break up arc, ie. With Alex refusing to talk to it and not leaving Parabola, Fires attempts to drag him into its dream and force him to talk to it.

Which does not win it any favours for multiple reasons, but also annoys Alex with he setting.

"Why is there a church here? What are you even doing? "

"It's symbolic"

"Its sym-stupid is what it is :/"

[beautiesonthescreen3]

Sylvia Syms 1960 for Fishnet Friday

Known as the "Grand Dame of British Cinema", Syms was a major player in films from the mid-1950s until mid-1960s, usually in stiff-upper-lip English pictures, as opposed to kitchen sink realism dramas, before becoming more of a supporting actress in both film and television roles. On television, she was known for her recurring role as dressmaker Olive Woodhouse on the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She was also a notable theatre player.

Syms portrayed Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in the 2006 biopic The Queen.

From 9 June 1956 to 1989, Syms was married to Alan Edney, whom she had dated since she was a teenager. In 1961 they lost a baby daughter, Jessica. Later that year Syms and her husband adopted a son, Benjamin Mark. In October 1962 she gave birth to a daughter, Beatie Edney who is also an actress. Syms and her husband divorced in 1989 when she discovered he had a mistress for several years and that they shared a two-year-old daughter.

She was the aunt of musicians Nick and Alex Webb.

Her sister Joan married Norman Webb, the Cambridge-educated statistician who invented the Television Audience Measurement system, and was later a chief executive of Gallup.

Syms was a longtime supporter of the Stars Foundation for Cerebral Palsy, serving on its board as an officer for 16 years until 2020, with singer Vera Lynn.

In the last year of her life, Syms lived at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in London. She died there on 27 January 2023, three weeks after her 89th birthday.

[gatheringbones]

[“Spectrum Youth's Queer Orientation

I often asked interviewees to explain to me what their sexual identity means to them. As with Alex above, I wanted to know, how did he come to understand himself as gay? In this chapter, rather than try to explain the origin of same- sex desire or homosexuality, using the experiences shared with me by Spectrum youth, I show the various ways that these young people came to adopt their various sexual identities.

The accounts here show how the adoption of a sexual identity is a very pragmatic process that often has little to do with one's actual sexual behavior. Among their generation, homosexuality—as sexual conduct— is less and less stigmatized, as long as it resembles heteronormative expectations of sexuality and gender. For the youth of Spectrum, it is a “spatially and temporally" queer assemblage, and not simply their sexual orientation toward particular gendered bodies, that defines who they are.³ All of us make meaning of our sexual selves within the context of a patriarchal, heteronormative structural system, in which sym- bols of masculinity and homophobia, which reiterate the normalcy of heterosexuality, inform identity development. Because Spectrum youth are socially outside the norm, owing to the various marginalized identities they occupy, they are queerly oriented and often excluded from the heteronormative mainstream. The youth of Spectrum are made queer by a straight society. Ahmed states that “queer unfolds from specific points from the life-world of those who do not or cannot inhabit the contours of heterosexual space. After all, some of us, more than others, look wonky." The discussion that follows will show how some youth come to understand themselves as LGBTQ because of the way their conduct violates heterosexual scripts or because of their genderqueerness, while others come to their queer identities in the context of oppressive sexed, raced, gendered, and classed regimes, and finally how identities are formed as a result of discovering and becoming part of a community that validates one's way of being in the world.”]

mary robertson, from growing up queer: kids and the remaking of lgbtq identity, 2019

[sole-cuore-amore-e-droga]

Belgium brings their ex-vocalist back to Rotterdam 2021

Here we chop chop boys like we chop chop wood

This review space would’ve been reserved for Belarus. Unfortunately, their broadcaster was not ready to make nice, and ultimately refused to serve EBU with anything but not-even-so-thinly-veiled propaganda, so much so that EBU, after all they’ve given the time for them for to snap out of it, finally had to be like “bye bitch” (- Lizzo) with enough push from the fandom, and informed everyone that Belarus will miss this year’s contest <3

Which means that I don’t have to deal with 41, but with 39 writeups to do overall, if my timing permits! The Roop could’ve always used a little less competition, anyway /j

Speaking of The Roop’s competition, time to aim at another one of their semifinal folk with a review. Come forth, Belgium!

ARTIST & ENTRY INFO

Hooverphonic, eventhough they’re not as big of a name as Flo Rida, is the biggest act to compete in this year’s Eurovision, and even had lasted longer as a thing than Flo Rida. He barely even got his proper famous kickstart around in the 2000s. Hoover have been around at least for 5 years more than him, if “Years active” section on Wikipedia is anything to go by. And back then they were just known as Hoover, correct. Their lineup of singers has changed for quite some time, but otherwise the band since its inception is rooted in basically two men: Alex Callier and Raymond Geerts. They used to have a keyboardist too but was he a part of their glory years in 2000? No? Thought so, he’s irrelevant then. In fact, their first vocalist wasn’t even present on their first album, so they went to have another one, who did just one album with them before 2000 and left. Now I’m only constantly and consistently bringing up 2000 because that’s when they had their break out moment in relevancy - after they changed their singer once more before they found someone called Geike Arnaert - the woman you’re seeing on the MV’s thumbnail right now, and not someone certain for whom there was a public outcry for she is the only Hooverphonic component that’s not coming back from 2020 to 2021. But more on that later. I’m here to present you the break-out hit, for those who just don’t know:

I used to like to think of Hoovers as trip-hop sensations, well not in the style of Massive Attack because they have their trip-hop sound with actual hip hop thrown in, Hooverphonic’s style is that but with a tinge of symphonic.

Well, “Mad About You” wasn’t really the only hit they had, before that they got a bunch of minor and domestic hits, and their music was used for soundtracks. So it’s a little bit cheating still to think of “Mad About You” as their breakout hit, but that’s still the biggest song of the band. If I were to recommend you stuff from them that aren’t necessarily the biggest hits but still, “The Night Before” with yet another one of their vocalists is pretty good.

So when I tell you that Hooverphonic is a band of a very long career. Well some bands do survive a lot without having their lineup change for 10+ years, but Hooverphonic vocalistes come and go sometimes, and for 2020 forray, when they were first announced, they came in to that talk show studio where they were guests in with a promising little starlet Alex Callier found at The Voice Belgium (for the Flanders region) and was her mentor there, Luka Cruysberghs, as their current vocalist.

Is it just me or her and Stefania Liberakakis look like they could be cousins?

All went smooth and dandy, until Alex started spouting stuff about Eurovision the fans found not amusing, such as calling Eurovision a circus or something, later begging and pleading to medias that his statement was “lost in translation” - now I would say it happens to the best of us, like for Tornike, but deep inside I think I know Alex meant what he meant, inside or outside context. Because everything just went even more sour when everyone found out Hooverphonic were missing from the common song “Love Shine a Light” for the 2020 consolation programme in place of Eurovision, and when they were forced to explain, Alex just straight up said he didn’t like the song, so he decided to not do it. Fuck, I myself don’t adore the 1997 winning song, but I like it, and would’ve still done a piece of that song out of respect. Take it or leave it, god damn. Also they were noted to be the only people plugging in their other material in the time when Eurovision 2020 artists on the consolation programme were either saying inspirational stuff or “hope to see you soon!” or a combo of both, once again, courtesy of mostly Alex. Now I’m not saying his ego is bigger than Kirkorov’s... of fucking course not, no one has an ego bigger than Kirkorov’s. The only thing that can beat him in that regard is if someone booked Kanye West for Eurovision last minute.

Following 2021, they were very excited to jump on the “leave 2020 songs behind” train, while a few artists like VICTORIA and The Roop rallied for to keep their entries in tact if they were allowed to. And with that, in late 2020, they went ahead and celebrated the 20 years of “Mad About You” by getting rid of Luka as a vocalist and bringing back the aforementioned Geike to reprise her part. Seems pretty reasonable, but for the Eurofandom it was simply seen as a dick move, and mostly for the reason that all 2020 artists deserve a 2021 chance, even if they’re band members. What felt more dickish is that Luka was straight up told “byeeee u’re no longer our bandmate xo” on a Zoom call between band members. Like, it’s fine to be told you’re fired in person, even if still humiliating, because what’s the other better way? What’s equally worse is to be told this via email, but the email you were sent was sent like a few months ago and you only read it NOW. At least I guess that proves we know what the “sad and losing game” was that Luka asked to be released from now, heh.

Not to worry Luka-stans, as Alex will still have her, just as not the part of the band anymore. But instead give her a solo career. Yeah well we’ll see how long that lasts.

With the 2000 glory heydays lineup of Hooverphonic we have their entry be “The Wrong Place”, as the completely quite different song they promised (or didn’t) when saying that they will certainly and absolutely get rid of their old one for the 2021 if they had a choice. What they didn’t get rid of is the theme of the worse part of relationships - “Release Me” is about probably wanting to be let go of and released rather than kept by the side when it’s probably not working out. “The Wrong Place” is one of those episodes that probably happened during then - they had a house conflict, she chose to have a smoke to forget about it, the man’s after her Johnny Cash T-Shirt. Not much else to say about the song’s technicality fortunately than I’ve already said so much about the band, so how does it fare in the Hoover-lore, for me?

REVIEW

See, I would like to root for Luka ever having her chance to get to experience Eurovision if she wishes, but maybe it’s lowkey for her own benefit she wasn’t the chosen vocalist for the song, as Geike could do “Release Me”, but Luka wouldn’t be able to do “The Wrong Place”.

“The Wrong Place” is well-suited to the first vocaliste’s melancholic blend-in timbre, and a singer like Luka would sound a little too light on this with her soft-spoken sound of her voice. Besides, I don’t think she could be old enough to relate to the lyrical subject’s domestic struggle issue. Not to say 20 year olds don’t smoke and drink, it’s just that “The Wrong Place” feels a little bit too much mature enough.

Although I think that both of them could absolutely rock the music video visuals.

The song itself is very Hooverphonic. They used to do this kind of standout triphoppy sound back in the days, but as of lately they kind of grew out of the label to do more of the music that kinda sounds like movie soundtrack music. Idek the exact label I could give it to their music so move soundtrack music it is I guess. It has a decently paced structure (could’ve done without the overly repetitive ending where they repeat “you’re in the wrong place” over and over, like ffs I know where I am!!), and interesting lyrical choices. Such as “organic cup of... tea”, as in, WOW! HOOVERPHONIC HAS ENOUGH WITH THE TEABAGS FULL OF GROUND AND GRINDED TEA! THEY WILL ONLY MAKE TEA FROM PURE HERBS AND FLOWERS, AS IT WAS USED TO BE DONE! and acting like her Johnny Cash T-Shirt is the kind of prized possession her man is not allowed to wear to rub it in her face. Imagine if it was something more mundane. “Don’t you ever dare to wear my... pink polka-dot T-shirt”? Damn right it doesn’t seem to suit the mood lol.

It’s not what I exactly wanted from Hooverphonic, but probably what I subconsciously needed from them anyway, ever since they were announced for 2020. I only got into “Release Me” sometime AFTER the contest, “The Wrong Place” is a bit more instant to stand behind. So well done to them to commit to their craft.

Approval factor: I guess I do have to stamp this with my stamp of approval. It’s nice and all. Follow-up factor: “The Wrong Place” follows up as a more of a Hooverphonic discography track after the fairly average and overlookable “Release Me” (eventhough the latter has the tinge of theirs as well because it’s a more symphonic ballad, and they do have symphonic stuff on their discog afterall). As a Eurovision entry, it comes across as even better somewhat, and even slightly more standout, but that might not necessarily work in their favour. Qualification factor: And that’s because they’re absolutely stranded in the semi with too many qualification choices to name. Belgium gets to be a bit quasi-obvious, but they’ve failed with a Hooverphonic-penned song before, plus, the pop girlies of this semi are more likely to eat out a band like this alive, but I wouldn’t exactly say Belgium is doomed to fail either, because I am positive Hooverphonic will think of something. I’m just saying that shocking things can happen every now and then.

INTERNAL CORNER

Well, considering Alex Callier is not running his mouth this time as much as he did so last year’s season, I think it’s safe to say that Hooverphonic have had nothing to write home about.

No, wait...

Well I did mention that Luka got replaced as one of the events that happened to Hooverphonic’s lifetime, but thank God that Alex promised her a solo career, right? Right?

Well, apparently, we’re getting towards it.

And the first lyrics of her first solo forray post-Hooverphonic-vocalist-duties features the lyrics about possibly her making someone “regret it”. Lol now watch this song to be a karma kick into Hooverphonic’s ass if Belgium happens to not qualify this year. Luka forewarned y’all with sharp precision.

Annnnnd that’s pretty much it, besides the band jumping on the trend of turning their entries into a Festivali i Këngës 59 acoustic night European version by presenting their own acoustic version of this track. I did not have the kind of courage to link to the Azerbaijan’s “slow version” on their review in fear of overruning my post even longer than they would usually be for these reviews, but at least it moves people to a certain degree

Well, my question of the days is, does “The Wrong Place” in acoustic make you sad twerk?

ANY LAST WORDS?

Belgium’s big weakness is when it comes to stage their entries, notably for the last two years where the Eurovision actually happened. Sennek was awkwardly put in the middle and succumbed to the curse of Lucie Jones of grimmacing too much and therefore ruining her score in the process, possibly. Eliot was just simply upstaged by the decision to include big drums on stage. Alex Callier acknowledges all that sort of thing, so if anything goes absolutely right and Hooverphonic manage to make it to Rotterdam (which I think they can do because Belgium and Netherlands are neighbours lol? unless their lockdown rules get super strict in May), he should get on to mending all the flaws that Belgium had in the past for staging, and have a spectacular vision. Because it’d be sadly hilariously ironic if Hoovers miss out on the final due to the staging again. Can’t just constantly blame the vocalist - Geike would be flawless live, if Hooverphonic trusted in her for so many years. Can’t blame the song - it’s not too bad. So staging, I guess.

Good luck Hooverphonic, you’ll certainly need it. Also can RTBF consider that they could send anything else from the Wallonian music scene other than The Voice Belgique acts~

[luditarebelde]

The exhibition title is taken from a term coined by Korean American artist Nam June Paik who is considered to be the founder of video art. Paik is credited with an early usage (1974) of the term "electronic super highway" in application to telecommunications: "The building of new electronic super highways will become an even huger enterprise. Assuming we connect New York with Los Angeles by means of an electronic telecommunication network that operates in strong transmission ranges, as well as with continental satellites, wave guides, bundled coaxial cable, and later also via laser beam fiber optics: the expenditure would be about the same as for a Moon landing, except that the benefits in term of by-products would be greater”. In the 1970s, Paik imagined a global community of viewers for what he called a Video Common Market which would disseminate videos freely. The Whitechapel Gallery in London presents this major exhibition bringing together over 100 works to show the impact of computer and Internet technologies on artists from 1966 to 2016. Arranged in reverse chronological order, Electronic Superhighway begins with works made at the arrival of the new millennium, and ends with Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T), an iconic, artistic moment that took place in 1966. Key moments in the history of art and the Internet emerge as the exhibition travels back in time. The exhibition runs from 29 January to 15 May 2016 featuring new and rarely seen multimedia works, together with film, painting, sculpture, photography and drawing. The full list of artists included in Electronic Superhighway (2016-1966) are: Jacob Appelbaum / Cory Arcangel / Roy Ascott / Jeremy Bailey / Judith Barry / Wafaa Bilal / Zach Blas / Olaf Breuning / James Bridle / Heath Bunting / Bureau of Inverse / Technology (B.I.T.) / Antoine Catala / Aristarkh Chernyshev / Petra Cortright / Vuk Ćosić / Douglas Coupland / CTG (Computer Technique Group) / Cybernetic Serendipity / Aleksandra Domanović / Constant Dullaart / Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) / Harun Farocki / Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige / Celia Hempton / Camille Henrot / Gary Hill / Ann Hirsch / Nancy Holt and Richard Serra / JODI / Eduardo Kac / Allan Kaprow / Hiroshi Kawano / Mahmoud Khaled / Oliver Laric / Jan Robert Leegte / Lynn Hershman Leeson / Olia Lialina /Tony Longson / Rafael Lozano-Hemmer / Jonas Lund / Jill Magid / Eva and Franco Mattes / Model Court / Vera Molnar / Mouchette (Martine Neddam) / Manfred Mohr / Jayson Musson / Frieder Nake / Joshua Nathanson / Katja Novitskova / Mendi + Keith Obadike / Albert Oehlen / Trevor Paglen / Nam June Paik / Jon Rafman / Evan Roth / Thomas Ruff / Alex Ruthner / Jacolby Satterwhite / Lillian F. Schwartz / Peter Sedgley / Taryn Simon / Frances Stark / Hito Steyerl / Sturtevant / Martine Syms / Thomson and Craighead / Ryan Trecartin / Amalia Ulman / Stan VanDerBeek / Steina and Woody Vasulka / Addie Wagenknecht / Lawrence Weiner / Ulla Wiggen / The Yes Men / Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries. This video was created and produced by ARTtouchesART. It displays the work of the artists mentioned above on the track of The Chemical Brothers - 'Asleep from Day' featuring Hope Sandoval. This video is our tribute to the video art scene of the last 50 years.

[mrmonkhimself]

December 4th, 2019

Here is a look and the new series being released on December 4th, 2019. Some are mini-series and some are ongoing. I’ll usually leave out one-shots and annuals since they are typically related to an ongoing series. Descriptions are directly from the Previews Catalog. If you see something interesting, click the link to order. New Series Favorites – December 4th, 2019 There are a few interesting looking #1’s out this week. By far my favorite is probably the Power Rangers/TMNT #1 that is coming. I grew up on TMNT and my son loves the Power Rangers so that's going to be fun to read together. James Bond #1 has also caught my attention. Remember if you didn't get your LCS to pull a series you can always click on the link and order online.

20XX #1 - OCT190019 (W) Lauren Keely, Jonathan Luna (A/CA) Jonathan Luna From JONATHAN LUNA (ALEX + ADA, GIRLS, THE SWORD) and LAUREN KEELY, in her writing debut, comes an all-new ongoing series! This sci-fi thriller for mature readers imagines a not-so-distant future-a world of norms and syms, divided by fear. Syms, a small percentage of the population with telekinetic abilities, form gangs to survive. But division only breeds more division, and Mer and Nuon experience this firsthand as they become entangled in the often dramatic, sometimes violent, but always complex social landscape of sym gang rivalries in Anchorage, Alaska.

Butchers of Paris #1 - OCT190298 (W) Stephanie Phillips (A) Dean Kotz (CA) Dave Johnson In 1944, as Swastikas flew over Paris, one of the most notorious and prolific serial killers in history turned the occupied city into his personal hunting ground. Under the guise of opportunity and freedom, a killer preys on those desperate to flee . . . until a gruesome discovery alerts the police. In a city on the brink of war, the hunt for a serial killer begins as a French detective races to catch the villain before the Nazis beat him to it. Written by Stephanie Phillips (Descendent, Devil Within) with art by Dean Kotz (Mars Attacks), The Butcher of Paris is a historical, true crime thriller about a killer wanted by both the Nazis and allied forces for the death of nearly two hundred victims.

Kill Whitey Donovan #1 (of 5) - OCT190296 (W) Duncan Sydney (A) Natalie Barahona (CA) Jason Pearson After Anna Hoyt's sister commits suicide, she sets off for Atlanta to kill the man responsible for destroying her family-her fiancé, Jim "Whitey" Donovan. But Anna, a spirited though pampered daughter of a prominent doctor, can't do it alone. To get through the hell that lies between her Alabama home and Atlanta, she makes a deal with one of the Donovan slaves, Hattie Virgil, who has an agenda of her own. In exchange for a chance at freedom, Hattie, a survivor, will lead this unlikely pair on a quest that will change them both forever. o The comic-book debut of writer Sydney Duncan, author of the critically acclaimed fantasy trilogy The Revelation Saga, and artist Natalie Barahona!

Deathbringer #1 - OCT190479 (W) Zoe Quinn (A) Brent Peeples (CA) Viktor Bogdanovic Donna Troy is a hero. She fought alongside friends, led the Titans into battle, and buried more friends in the line of duty than she cares to remember. She's strong, she's brave, she's one of the fiercest warriors on the planet...and she's the Batman Who Laughs' next target for infection! Spinning out of the events of The Batman Who Laughs and Batman/Superman comes the story of a hero who is done with bringing peace to a world that cannot be trusted with it. A woman who's past has been her greatest adversary, and whose newly awakened dark side is ready to burn it all down and forge a new destiny. No more peace. Only...Deathbringer!

Conan: Serpent War #1 (of 4) - OCT190892 (W) Jim Zub (A) Scot Eaton (CA) Carlos Pacheco THE WRATH OF THE SERPENT GOD! WARRIORS ACROSS TIME DEFY THE ELDER GODS! JAMES ALLISON will soon die. But it's not his first death. He's lived many lives, in many places - lives he can recall in vivid detail. But when an Elder God called the WYRM reaches across time to James, an ages-spanning quest begins! The serpent god SET plans to usher in an eternity of darkness, and only the chosen warriors across time and space have a hope of stopping him: CONAN THE BARBARIAN, SOLOMON KANE, DARK AGNES, and the man known as MOON KNIGHT! In an unprecedented comics event, Robert E. Howard's characters join forces along with Marvel's Moon Knight, in an all-new saga built on REH and Marvel lore from across the ages! PARENTAL ADVISORY

James Bond #1 - OCT191221 (W) Vita Ayala, Danny Lore (A) Eric Gapstur (CA) Jim Cheung New series, new team, new missions! VITA AYALA (Morbius, Age Of X-Man), DANNY LORE (Queen Of Bad Dreams) and ERIC GAPSTUR (James Bond 007) present a fresh take on the world's greatest secret agent. When a priceless piece of art is found to be fake, investigations lead down a rabbit hole of international crime and corruption. But what the hell does James Bond know about the world of art forgery? Featuring a cover by superstar JIM CHEUNG (Justice League, Young Avengers), that will be revealed as an interlocking image over the first three issues!

Power Rangers/TMNT #1 - OCT191380 (W) Ryan Parrott (A) Simone Di Meo (CA) Dan Mora * THE MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS AND THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME! * The Power Rangers arrive in New York City to find Tommy Oliver (a.k.a. The Mighty Morphin Green Ranger) but soon discover he's joined forces with the villainous Shredder and the Foot Clan! * As the Rangers are sent reeling by this betrayal, they 're confronted by another (fr)enemy... the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Can these heroes find a way to work together to defeat the bad guys and save the world from total destruction?! * Written by Ryan Parrott (Power Rangers: Necessary Evil) and illustrated by Simone di Meo (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Venom Annual), the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fight - and maybe team up with - the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the first time. Read the full article

[pamphletstoinspire]

THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL - From The Douay-Rheims Bible - Latin Vulgate

Chapter 10

INTRODUCTION.

DANIEL, whose name signifies "the judgment of God," was of the royal blood of the kings of Juda, and one of those that were first of all carried away into captivity. He was so renowned for his wisdom and knowledge, that it became a proverb among the Babylonians, "as wise as Daniel;" (Ezech. xxviii. 3.) and his holiness was so great from his very childhood, that at the time when he was as yet but a young man, he is joined by the Spirit of God with Noe and Job, as three persons most eminent for virtue and sanctity. Ezech. xiv. He is not commonly numbered by the Hebrews among the prophets, because he lived at court, and in high station in the world: but if we consider his many clear predictions of things to come, we shall find that no one better deserves the name and title of a prophet; which also has been given him by the Son of God himself. Mat. xxiv. Mark xiii. Luke xxi.) Ch. --- The ancient Jews ranked him among the greatest prophets. Jos. Ant. x. 12. and 1 Mac. ii. 59. Those who came after Christ began to make frivolous exceptions, because he so clearly pointed out the coming of our Saviour, (Theod.) that Porphyrius has no other method of evading this authority except by saying, that the book was written under Epiphanes after the event of many of the predictions. S. Jer. --- But this assertion is contrary to all antiquity. Some parts have indeed been questioned, which are found only in Greek. They must, however, have sometime existed in Heb. or Chal. else how should we have the version of Theodotion, which the Church has substituted instead of the Sept. as that copy was become very incorrect, and is now lost? C. --- Some hopes of its recovery are nevertheless entertained; and its publication, at Rome, has been announced. Kennicott. --- In a title, it seems to make the Daniel visited by Habacuc, a priest; but it is abandoned. C. --- This version of course proves that the original was formerly known; and the loss of it, at present, is no more decisive against the authenticity of these pieces, that that of S. Matthew's Heb. original, and of the Chaldee of Judith, &c. will evince that their works are spurious. H. ---Extracts of (C.) Aquila and Sym. seen by S. Jerom, (W.) are also given in the Hexapla. Origen has answered the objections of Africanus, respecting the history of Susanna; and his arguments are equally cogent, when applied to the other contested works. The Jews and Christians were formerly both divided in their sentiments about these pieces. C. See S. Jer. in Jer. xxix. 12. and xxxii. 44. --- But now as the Church (the pillar of truth) has spoken, all farther controversy ought to cease; (H.) and we should follow the precept, Remove not the landmarks which thy fathers have placed. Deut. xix. 14. See N. Alex. t. ii. S. Jerom, who sometimes calls these pieces "fables," explains himself, by observing, that he had delivered "not his own sentiments," but those of the Jews: quid illi contra nos dicere soleant. C. --- If he really denied their authority, his opinion ought not to outweigh that of so many other (H.) Fathers and Councils who receive them. They admit all the parts, as the Council of Trent expressly requires us to do. See S. Cyp. &c. also the observations prefixed to Tobias, (W.) and p. 597. H. --- Paine remarks that Daniel and Ezechiel only pretended to have visions, and carried on an enigmatical correspondence relative to the recovery of their country. But this deserves no refutation. By allowing that their works are genuine, he cuts up the very root of his performance. Watson. --- Daniel, according to Sir Is. Newton, resembles the Apoc. (as both bring us to the end of the Roman empire) and is "the most distinct in order of time, and easiest to be understood; and therefore, in those things that relate to the last times, he must be made a key to the rest." Bp. Newton. --- Yet there are many difficulties which require a knowledge of history; (S. Jer. W.) and we must reflect on the words of Christ, He that readeth, let him understand. Mat. xxiv. 15. Daniel (H.) is supposed to have died at court, (C.) aged 110, having written many things of Christ. W. --- His name is not prefixed to his book, yet as Prideaux observes, he sufficiently shews himself in the sequel to be the author. H.

The additional Notes in this Edition of the New Testament will be marked with the letter A. Such as are taken from various Interpreters and Commentators, will be marked as in the Old Testament. B. Bristow, C. Calmet, Ch. Challoner, D. Du Hamel, E. Estius, J. Jansenius, M. Menochius, Po. Polus, P. Pastorini, T. Tirinus, V. Bible de Vence, W. Worthington, Wi. Witham. — The names of other authors, who may be occasionally consulted, will be given at full length.

Verses are in English and Latin.

HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY

This Catholic commentary on the Old Testament, following the Douay-Rheims Bible text, was originally compiled by Catholic priest and biblical scholar Rev. George Leo Haydock (1774-1849). This transcription is based on Haydock's notes as they appear in the 1859 edition of Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary printed by Edward Dunigan and Brother, New York, New York.

Chapter 10

Daniel having humbled himself by fasting and penance seeth a vision, with which he is much terrified; but he is comforted by an angel.

[1] In the third year of Cyrus king of the Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel surnamed Baltassar, and a true word, and great strength: and he understood the word: for there is need of understanding in a vision.

Anno tertio Cyri regis Persarum, verbum revelatum est Danieli cognomento Baltassar, et verbum verum, et fortitudo magna : intellexitque sermonem : intelligentia enim est opus in visione.

[2] In those days I Daniel mourned the days of three weeks.

In diebus illis ego Daniel lugebam trium hebdomadarum diebus :

[3] I ate no desirable bread, and neither flesh, nor wine entered into my mouth, neither was I anointed with ointment: till the days of three weeks were accomplished.

panem desiderabilem non comedi, et caro et vinum non introierunt in os meum, sed neque unguento unctus sum, donec complerentur trium hebdomadarum dies.

[4] And in the four and twentieth day of the first month I was by the great river which is the Tigris.

Die autem vigesima et quarta mensis primi, eram juxta fluvium magnum, qui est Tigris.

[5] And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw: and behold a man clothed in linen, and his loins were girded with the finest gold:

Et levavi oculos meos, et vidi : et ecce vir unus vestitus lineis, et renes ejus accincti auro obrizo :

[6] And his body was like the chrysolite, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as a burning lamp: and his arms, and all downward even to the feet, like in appearance to glittering brass: and the voice of his word like the voice of a multitude.

et corpus ejus quasi chrysolithus, et facies ejus velut species fulguris, et oculi ejus ut lampas ardens : et brachia ejus, et quae deorsum sunt usque ad pedes, quasi species aeris candentis : et vox sermonum ejus ut vox multitudinis.

[7] And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw it not: but an exceeding great terror fell upon them, and they fled away, and hid themselves.

Vidi autem ego Daniel solus visionem : porro viri qui erant mecum non viderunt, sed terror nimius irruit super eos, et fugerunt in absconditum.

[8] And I being left alone saw this great vision: and there remained no strength in me, and the appearance of my countenance was changed in me, and I fainted away, and retained no strength.

Ego autem relictus solus vidi visionem grandem hanc : et non remansit in me fortitudo, sed et species mea immutata est in me, et emarcui, nec habui quidquam virium.

[9] And I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard, I lay in a consternation, upon my face, and my face was close to the ground.

Et audivi vocem sermonum ejus : et audiens jacebam consternatus super faciem meam, et vultus meus haerebat terrae.

[10] And behold a hand touched me, and lifted me up upon my knees, and upon the joints of my hands.

Et ecce manus tetigit me, et erexit me super genua mea, et super articulos manuum mearum.

[11] And he said to me: Daniel, thou man of desires, understand the words that I speak to thee, and stand upright: for I am sent now to thee. And when he had said this word to me, I stood trembling.

Et dixit ad me : Daniel vir desideriorum, intellige verba quae ego loquor ad te, et sta in gradu tuo : nunc enim sum missus ad te. Cumque dixisset mihi sermonem istum, steti tremens.

[12] And he said to me: Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, to afflict thyself in the sight of thy God, thy words have been heard: and I am come for thy words.

Et ait ad me : Noli metuere, Daniel : quia ex die primo, quo posuisti cor tuum ad intelligendum ut te affligeres in conspectu Dei tui, exaudita sunt verba tua : et ego veni propter sermones tuos.

[13] But the prince of the kingdom of the Persians resisted me one and twenty days: and behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there by the king of the Persians.

Princeps autem regni Persarum restitit mihi viginti et uno diebus : et ecce Michael, unus de principibus primis, venit in adjutorium meum, et ego remansi ibi juxta regem Persarum.

[14] But I am come to teach thee what things shall befall thy people in the latter days, for as yet the vision is for days.

Veni autem ut docerem te quae ventura sunt populo tuo in novissimis diebus, quoniam adhuc visio in dies.

[15] And when he was speaking such words to me, I cast down my countenance to the ground, and held my peace.

Cumque loqueretur mihi hujuscemodi verbis, dejeci vultum meum ad terram, et tacui.

[16] And behold, as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me: O my Lord, at the sight of thee my joints are loosed, and no strength hath remained in me.

Et ecce quasi similitudo filii hominis tetigit labia mea : et aperiens os meum locutus sum, et dixi ad eum, qui stabat contra me : Domine mi, in visione tua dissolutae sunt compages meae, et nihil in me remansit virium.

[17] And how can the servant of my lord speak with my lord? for no strength remaineth in me, moreover my breath is stopped.

Et quomodo poterit servus domini mei loqui cum domino meo? nihil enim in me remansit virium, sed et halitus meus intercluditur.

[18] Therefore he that looked like a man touched me again, and strengthened me.

Rursum ergo tetigit me quasi visio hominis, et confortavit me,

[19] And he said: Fear not, O man of desires, peace be to thee: take courage and be strong. And when he spoke to me, I grew strong: and I said: Speak, O my lord, for thou hast strengthened me.

et dixit : Noli timere, vir desideriorum : pax tibi : confortare, et esto robustus. Cumque loqueretur mecum, convalui, et dixi : Loquere, domine mi, quia confortasti me.

[20] And he said: Dost thou know wherefore I am come to thee? and now I will return, to fight against the prince of the Persians. When I went forth, there appeared the prince of the Greeks coming.

Et ait : Numquid scis quare venerim ad te? et nunc revertar ut praelier adversum principem Persarum. Cum ego egrederer, apparuit princeps Graecorum veniens.

[21] But I will tell thee what is set down in the scripture of truth: and none is my helper in all these things, but Michael your prince.

Verumtamen annuntiabo tibi quod expressum est in scriptura veritatis : et nemo est adjutor meus in omnibus his, nisi Michael princeps vester.

Commentary:

Ver. 1. Third. This concurs with the first of Darius. Cyrus then reigned in Persia, and the king is here often mentioned, as the vision happened near it, on the banks of the Tigris. Only twenty-one days had elapsed since the former. --- Strength. Heb. "warfare," or determinate time. Job vii. 1. This shall surely take place, but not soon. C. --- For. Prot. "and had understanding," &c. H. --- He was informed of the meaning, or strove to know what the preceding vision denoted. C. --- Pharao and Baltassar were not prophets, as they did not comprehend what they saw. For understanding is requisite, in order that a vision may be prophetical. S. Tho. ii. 2. q. 175 a. 2. W.

Ver. 2. Weeks. Marsham says twenty-one years. But it means only so many days. He began to mourn on the third of Nisan, and continued fasting (v. 4) it seems even on the sabbaths, and on the feast of Passover, till the 24th. C. --- He was grieved that the people did not make use of the leave granted by Cyrus; (Theod.) or because the Samaritans had prevailed at court to have the temple forbidden; (Usher, A. 3470, and 1 Esd. i. 14.) or rather because he could not fully understand the former visions. C. ix. 30. and xii. 9. &c. C.

Ver. 5. Linen. Heb. baddim. --- Finest. Heb. uphaz, (H.) from Phasis or Ophir.

Ver. 6. Chrysolite. Heb. "Tharsis." This precious stone was perhaps greenish.

Ver. 10. Hand; the Holy Ghost, or rather the angel Gabriel.

Ver. 11. Desires most amiable. C. --- This new title is given to comfort the prophet. W.

Ver. 13. The prince, &c. That is, the angel guardian of Persia: who, according to his office, seeking the spiritual good of the Persians, was desirous that many of the Jews should remain among them. Ch. --- S. Jerom, &c. explain it of the angel guardian. W. --- Each country has an archangel over it, as individuals have an angel. Others assert that this was an evil angel; for how could a good one oppose so long the will of God? Yet this argument may be retorted, as evil spirits themselves must comply. It seems, therefore, that Cyrus was exhorted by the good angels to invade the Chaldeans, and thus to liberate God's people. He was afraid of the hazardous attempt, and free-will may resist the inspirations of God. --- One, or "prince." C. --- Michael, and the guardian of Daniel, joined their prayers for the liberation of the Jews. v. 20. W.

Ver. 14. Days. It will not soon take place; or, I have many things to tell.

Ver. 20. To thee? He awakens his attention (v. 14. C.) and gratitude. H. --- Prince, angel guardian; or Alexander, who would one day rout the Persians. C. xi. 2. C.

Ver. 21. Of truth, in the former sealed visions. C. - Your prince. The guardian general of the Church of God, (Ch.) as he was of the synagogue. C.

[symerr]

a wall of headmate sim headshots while were too lazy to fix our cas poses </3

[ayyaudiocs]

Rank your ocs- best looking? smoll to toll

Answers under the cut

UH LOL Objectively the most attractive is probably Kelly?? He does modeling on the side lmao. Ciro close behind because he’s a celebrity boxer and has a lot of adoring fans (and money); but he’s also still a boxer and gets beat up quite a bit. I’m sure space technology or whatever keeps him pretty (along with the money…).

Subhi has also got that princely smoulder but i think J is best looking 66 (even though her face is almost always obscured) dsfasdf IDK HOW TO ANSWER THESE? Small to tall is gonna be kind of long. I seem to always be changing the heights of my characters.So these are rough estimates and tentative because i have bad spacial awareness but you get the idea.

Smallest to Tallest (gijinkas):

Bree-4′3″Al and Roz-4′10″Agent D-5′2″Mica-5′4″Sterling-5′6″Paxton-5′7″Agent J-5′9″Kelly,  Ivo, Rad-5′10″Am, Rama, Ciro-5′11″ Eothe-6′Alex-6′2″Bailey-6′5″Baroda-6′6″Hal-6′8″Agent W-idk he big tho

Smallest to Tallest (non-gijinkas):

Sunstone-3′Mini-3′8″Sym-5′2″Sonny-5′6″Evander-5′8″ (long)Danny-5′10″Subhi, Uma (on two feet)-6′0″Beefsteak-12′ (at the horns)

[filmclingon]

5/9/20 Telegraph “Which is the greatest WWII Film of All?”

Hmmm.  I would add The Longest Day (1962), Guns of Navarone (1961).  Maybe Patton (1970), Saving Private Ryan (1998).  And the prison camp films like Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), King Rat (1965) Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), Paradise Road (1997) -- wow, never heard of Camp on Blood Island (1958).  I’m also partial to John Wayne and Errol Flynn WWII flicks (so sue me).  But in terms of being a spot-on compendium of 1940s/50s B/W British movies, this is pretty great.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Which is the greatest Second World War film of all?

SIMON HEFFER

9 MAY 2020 • 1:00PM

[PHOTO] Jack Hawkins in The Cruel Sea, which (says Simon Heffer) is a first-class war film CREDIT: ALAMY

 British films about the Second World War are a game of two halves; those made during the fight for survival, and those made afterwards. However, after the Fifties, too few writers and actors had experienced war to evoke it credibly, and audiences, filling with generations unborn on VE Day, could not tell the difference. Recent films such as Darkest Hour, in which Churchill rides the Tube, and Dunkirk, in which no actor looks the part, make the point.

I wrote a few weeks ago about The Way to the Stars (1945), and reiterate that it is not just one of the finest films about the war, but one of our finest films. A rival, from 1942, is Ealing’s chilling Went the Day Well?: story by Graham Greene, music by William Walton. It depicts the arrival of Nazi stormtroopers in an English village, and shows levels of violence that were shocking at the time. In a politically pivotal moment, the lady of the manor blows herself up with a hand grenade to shield a roomful of child evacuees from that fate. We really were all in it together.

The Forties was the golden age of Powell and Pressburger. Their supreme propaganda film, 49th Parallel (1941), is about a U-boat crew trying to escape from Canada to the United States, and was designed to put pressure on the US to enter the war. It starred Eric Portman as a fanatical Nazi, the first of five superb performances by him in wartime films. He played, the following year, the second pilot of a bomber shot down over Holland in another Powell and Pressburger triumph, One of Our Aircraft Is Missing. Set in Holland but shot in the Fens and the Wash, the film uses a complete absence of music to amplify the sense of tension.

Portman returned to submarines the following year in Gainsborough’s We Dive at Dawn, starring John Mills, another markedly understated, and realistic account of naval heroism in the Battle of the Atlantic. His next film has a claim to be the greatest of the whole war: Launder and Gilliat’s Millions Like Us (1943), about women working in the Spitfire factory at Castle Bromwich. Portman plays the brusque but decent manager; Patricia Roc a working-class factory girl who marries an airman she meets at a dance. I shan’t spoil it, but if you seek an example of the greatness of “ordinary” British people, wait for the film’s last scene and the sing-song in the canteen, which is overwhelming.

Portman’s fifth wartime success was as the eccentric squire in A Canterbury Tale (1944), in my view Powell and Pressburger’s greatest film – and one crying out for restoration and Blu-ray transfer (British Film Institute, please take note). Ostensibly about a nation preparing to invade France and finish the war, it presents and amplifies English values, values for which people were fighting and dying against a truly savage enemy. For anyone who wishes to understand the national mentality at the time, it is essential viewing.

[PHOTO] 'A little routine': The Dam Busters is among the best-known war films CREDIT: FILM STILLS

It took a few years of escapist cinema after 1945 before studios began to look again to the war – this time not for propaganda, but for inspiration, for entertainment, just when people needed cheering up after years of austerity. Another compelling Powell and Pressburger production, The Small Back Room (1949), tells the story of a maimed, alcoholic bomb disposal expert, played magnificently by David Farrar, and is a sublime study in heroism.

Such films continued with varying degrees of success during the Fifties; the two best known are Ice Cold in Alex (1958), which has its moments (though could have had more; one scene between John Mills and Sylvia Syms was deemed too saucy to include) and The Dam Busters (1955), which has always struck me as a little routine; Richard Todd was never allowed to capture the true character of Guy Gibson, the egotistical commanding officer.

Five much better films are Sea of Sand (1958), a little-known depiction of hell in the Western Desert; Above Us the Waves (1955), with John Mills back in a submarine, being attacked by the Tirpitz; Ealing’s Dunkirk (1958), infinitely better than its recent namesake; Carve Her Name with Pride (1958), with what should have been an Oscar-winning performance by Virginia McKenna as SOE’s Violette Szabo; and Jack Hawkins as the deeply human Captain Ericson in The Cruel Sea (1953). And I’ve finished with that because it is simply the greatest war film ever made.

If you had to choose, which title would win the competition for the greatest Second World War film? Let us know in the comments section or join the conversation on the Telegraph Community Facebook group.

[gokinjeespot]

off the rack #1296

Monday, January 13, 2020

 I knew my dad had an older brother living in Edmonton but I've never met him. I was introduced to him recently when my cousin sent me a picture of Uncle #2 taken while he visited with him and his other cousins there. I showed my dad the picture of his brother and his face lit up in a big smile. He hasn't seen him in decades. Uncle #2 is 91-years-old now and he and dad are the only surviving children from grandpa's first wife. I was glad that I gave my father that moment of happiness.

 Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy #5 - Jody Houser (writer) Adriana Melo (pencils) Mark Morales (inks) Hi-Fi (colours) Gabriela Downie (letters). The trail to the Floronic Man leads the ladies to Manhattan's Central Park where they are met with a surprise. No, it's not Batwoman who guest stars this issue. It's a great cliffhanger to next issue's finale.

 The Immortal Hulk #29 - Al Ewing (writer) Joe Bennett (pencils) Ruy Jose, Belardino Brabo & Cam Smith (inks) Paul Mounts (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Roxxon sets a trap for the Hulk and it works. This is where monsters dwell. The scene with Betty and Bruce in the cafeteria was great.

 The Dollhouse Family #3 - M. R. Carey (writer) Peter Gross (layouts) Vince Locke (finishes) Cris Peter (colours) Todd Klein (letters). We catch up with Alice as an adult while the flashbacks to the past shows us some weird creatures in a cave. The dollhouse makes a couple of appearances in each point in history but we don't learn much more about it. It's still really creepy though. The last page came as a total shock. I like this DC Black Label book.

 Excalibur #5 - Tini Howard (writer) Marcus To (art) Erick Arciniega (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). This is the payoff issue for the first story arc and I'm out of here now. My biggest complaint about this book is that I find myself wondering what the heck is going on as I'm reading. I feel disconnected with the action because of the different locations and all the mutants involved. There's a major change to a major hero so you may want to stick around to see where that goes.

 Young Justice #12 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) John Timms (art) Gabe Eltaeb (colours) Wes Abbott (letters). It was nice to see Warlord even though he was only in 4 pages of this massively dialogued issue. This book had just as many heroes running around and different locations for action as Excalibur #5 and yet not once did I feel confused or disoriented. I loved how all the Wonder Comics heroes were brought together. Especially that Miguel, the Dial H for Hero kid changed into a Miles Morales-like super hero at the end. This 12-issue run was Fun with a capital F.

 X-Force #5 - Benjamin Percy (writer) Joshua Cassara (art) Dean White & Rachelle Rosenberg (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). There's plenty of force this issue as Domino and Forge go to rescue Wolverine and Kid Omega. This new thing where every mutant can be resurrected if they die has me wondering when I'm going to get tired of writers killing characters just for shock value. Plus, the mutants can't lose now. So what if you die on a mission? I'm afraid I'm going to get bored with these characters again until the next big change.

 Catwoman #19 - Joelle Jones (writer) Geraldo Borges, Aneke  & Inaki Miranda (art) FCO Plascencia, John Kalisz & Laura Allred (colours) Saida Temofonte (letters). Selina comes to the rescue of family and friends and is partially successful. I like the new costume.

 Black Cat #8 - Jed MacKay (writer) Dike Ruan & Annie Wu (art) Brian Reber (colours) Ferran Delgado (letters). What a great issue. The Cat and the Beetle go on a heist and we get some background on Felicia's life. It was fun until the last page when things get serious.

 Conan Serpent War #3 - Jim Zub (writer) Luca Pizzari (art) Frank D'Armata (colours) Vanesa R. Del Rey (art James Allison sequence) Jean-Francois Beaulieu (colours James Allison sequence) VC's Travis Lanham (letters). There's a mysterious force manipulating everybody in this story and I'm staying with it until I find out what it is.

 Star #1 - Kelly Thompson (writer) Javier Pina with Filipe Andrade (art) Jesus Aburtov (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). Kelly's name in the credits made me give this a try. I'm not a fan of super villains being the star (har) of their own books but there are two women also in this comic book that I really like. If they're not enough to keep me reading then the God of Mischief certainly is.

 Daphne Byrne #1 - Laura Marks (writer) Kelley Jones (art) Michelle Madsen (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). This is another creepy comic from the same imprint that puts out Basketful of Heads. It's 1886 in New York and Daphne is a very intelligent young lady who doesn't fit in with the others at Miss Farrow's School for Girls. Her mother is a patron of a psychic who claims to have communicated with Daphne's dead father. That may be a hoax but her dreams seem to be all too real. I miss seeing Kelley Jones's art on the racks so I hope to keep reading this book as it comes out.

 Ruins of Ravencroft: Carnage #1 - Frank Tieri (writer) Angel Unzueta (modern day art) Guiu Vilanova (flashback art) Rachelle Rosenberg (colours) VC's Travis Lanham (letters). I saw the ads for this and didn't think I would be interested but I liked the art when I flipped through it so took it to read. Other than being connected to Carnage from the title I didn't know anything about this comic book, but seeing Misty Knight on the second page meant that I had something familiar to anchor myself. And then Mayor Wilson Fisk shows up. Ravencroft is New York's version of Arkham Asylum and it was a major location during the Absolute Carnage story. It's being torn down to be rebuilt and this issue gives us the history of the evil ground that it's built on. This establishes that the Venom and Carnage symbiotes have been around since forever because the history starts in the early 1400s. I don't know where this series is going but I liked it enough to want to check out the next instalment hitting the racks January 15, Ruins of Ravencroft: Sabretooth.

 The Clock #1 - Matt Hawkins (writer) Colleen Doran (art) Bryan Valenza (colours) Troy Peteri (letters). Again, it was the art that prompted me to pick this off the rack. I first appreciated Colleen's art in 1983 when she put out "A Distant Soil". I loved her detailed pen and ink work in black and white. Here she is in colour and it still moves me. Her expressions really convey what the characters are feeling. The story is about a cancer epidemic and the threat to the world's population seems credible. I'm going to follow young scientist Jack to see how he saves the world.

 Marvels X #1 - Alex Ross & Jim Krueger (writers) Well-Bee (art) VC's Cory Petit (letters). I really liked the first Marvels series by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross showing the Marvel U through the eyes of regular people. This latest story features a young super hero fan named David trapped in his house after what seems to be the worldwide Terrigen Mist event when Marvel tried to make the Inhumans a big deal. David's entire family is lost and now he's off to New York City to find his heroes. I liked the kid so I'm going to follow his adventures.

 Miles Morales: The End #1 - Saladin Ahmed (writer) Damion Scott (art) Dono Sanchez-Almara (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). This $4.99 US one-shot really is the end for Miles. He lives to be a ripe old age and goes down fighting. I would only recommend this for collectors of all things Miles.

 Deadpool #2 - Kelly Thompson (writer) Chris Bachalo (pencils) Wayne Faucher, Livesay, Al Vey, Jaime Mendoza, Victor Olazaba & Tim Townsend (inks) David Curiel (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). I don't find Wade's new role as King of Staten Island, where monsters dwell, to be very interesting so I'm not going to read anymore of this. Much as I like Chris Bachalo's art, it's not enough to keep me coming back every month.

 20XX #2 - Jonathan Luna & Lauren Keely (writers) Jonathan Luna (art & letters). We find out what newly minted Sym Meria's power is and how she's going to cope with it. The developments with the East Side and West Side gangs and Meria's new friend are interesting enough to make me want to read the next issue of this black and white book.

 Fallen Angels #5 - Bryan Hill (writer) Szymon Kudranski (art) Frank D'Armata (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). The team is set. Psylocke leads X-23, young Cable, Husk and Bling to Dubai to fight the super villain Apoth. The foreshadowing on the last page ratchets up the anticipation for the next issue.

 The Amazing Spider-Man #37 - Nick Spencer (writer) Ryan Ottley (pencils) Cliff Rathburn (inks) Nathan Fairbairn (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Now that Absolute Carnage is done, it's time for Peter Parker to get back into the swing of things. He's testing a new device called the Clairvoyant that can predict what might happen in the future. I predict it's going to screw up his life big time down the road. The one thing I'm excited about is that a plotline that was put on the back burner is now cooking with gas. Kindred is back and he's hinting at how he's going to confront Spider-Man. As big a Spider-Man fan that I am, I still have no clue who this new super villain is.

 Batman #86 - James Tynion IV (writer) Tony S. Daniel (pencils) Danny Miki (inks) Tomeu Morey (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). Let's welcome the new writer. He's got a tough act to follow but he starts his first story off very well. Batman gets wind of something big going down in Gotham City and has to deal with paid assassins gathering for nefarious purposes. There are major changes to get used to, the least of which is that Alfred is gone. Same with James Gordon, and the new Police Commissioner was a surprise. I probably would have continued to read this book because the art is so nice. Selina in the LBD at the fund raiser, MeeOwww.

 Savage Avengers #9 - Gerry Duggan (writer) Patch Zircher (art) Java Tartaglia (colours) VC's Travis Lanham (letters). Conan holds his own as Doctors Doom and Strange battle Kulan Gath. When Stephen is felled by sorcerous venom Doctor Doom comes to the rescue. The amalgamation of the two Doctors was a fun surprise. If would be cool if the Iron Mage stuck around after this story.

 Joker: Killer Smile #2 - Jeff Lemire (writer) Andrea Sorrentino (art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) Steve Wands (letters). The doctor is out, of his mind that is. The Joker has gotten into Dr. Arnell's head in this psychological thriller. I don't imagine that things are going to end well for the good doctor in next issue's finale. Thanks to Doug for lending me his copy to read after we sold out on the racks.

[imadethisfor]

@Hjornskar_ this is the sym video I was talking about in stream 😂 I made this for Alex because he complained about… https://t.co/36ODas5CbA

@Hjornskar_ this is the sym video I was talking about in stream 😂 I made this for Alex because he complained about her https://t.co/joEnxpXJWf

— Stardancer ✨ (@heystardancer) July 23, 2018

[mrmonkhimself]

December 4th, 2019

Here is a look and the new series being released on December 4th, 2019. Some are mini-series and some are ongoing. I’ll usually leave out one-shots and annuals since they are typically related to an ongoing series. Descriptions are directly from the Previews Catalog. If you see something interesting, click the link to order. New Series Favorites – December 4th, 2019 There are a few interesting looking #1’s out this week. By far my favorite is probably the Power Rangers/TMNT #1 that is coming. I grew up on TMNT and my son loves the Power Rangers so that's going to be fun to read together. James Bond #1 has also caught my attention. Remember if you didn't get your LCS to pull a series you can always click on the link and order online.

20XX #1 - OCT190019 (W) Lauren Keely, Jonathan Luna (A/CA) Jonathan Luna From JONATHAN LUNA (ALEX + ADA, GIRLS, THE SWORD) and LAUREN KEELY, in her writing debut, comes an all-new ongoing series! This sci-fi thriller for mature readers imagines a not-so-distant future-a world of norms and syms, divided by fear. Syms, a small percentage of the population with telekinetic abilities, form gangs to survive. But division only breeds more division, and Mer and Nuon experience this firsthand as they become entangled in the often dramatic, sometimes violent, but always complex social landscape of sym gang rivalries in Anchorage, Alaska.

Butchers of Paris #1 - OCT190298 (W) Stephanie Phillips (A) Dean Kotz (CA) Dave Johnson In 1944, as Swastikas flew over Paris, one of the most notorious and prolific serial killers in history turned the occupied city into his personal hunting ground. Under the guise of opportunity and freedom, a killer preys on those desperate to flee . . . until a gruesome discovery alerts the police. In a city on the brink of war, the hunt for a serial killer begins as a French detective races to catch the villain before the Nazis beat him to it. Written by Stephanie Phillips (Descendent, Devil Within) with art by Dean Kotz (Mars Attacks), The Butcher of Paris is a historical, true crime thriller about a killer wanted by both the Nazis and allied forces for the death of nearly two hundred victims.

Kill Whitey Donovan #1 (of 5) - OCT190296 (W) Duncan Sydney (A) Natalie Barahona (CA) Jason Pearson After Anna Hoyt's sister commits suicide, she sets off for Atlanta to kill the man responsible for destroying her family-her fiancé, Jim "Whitey" Donovan. But Anna, a spirited though pampered daughter of a prominent doctor, can't do it alone. To get through the hell that lies between her Alabama home and Atlanta, she makes a deal with one of the Donovan slaves, Hattie Virgil, who has an agenda of her own. In exchange for a chance at freedom, Hattie, a survivor, will lead this unlikely pair on a quest that will change them both forever. o The comic-book debut of writer Sydney Duncan, author of the critically acclaimed fantasy trilogy The Revelation Saga, and artist Natalie Barahona!

Deathbringer #1 - OCT190479 (W) Zoe Quinn (A) Brent Peeples (CA) Viktor Bogdanovic Donna Troy is a hero. She fought alongside friends, led the Titans into battle, and buried more friends in the line of duty than she cares to remember. She's strong, she's brave, she's one of the fiercest warriors on the planet...and she's the Batman Who Laughs' next target for infection! Spinning out of the events of The Batman Who Laughs and Batman/Superman comes the story of a hero who is done with bringing peace to a world that cannot be trusted with it. A woman who's past has been her greatest adversary, and whose newly awakened dark side is ready to burn it all down and forge a new destiny. No more peace. Only...Deathbringer!

Conan: Serpent War #1 (of 4) - OCT190892 (W) Jim Zub (A) Scot Eaton (CA) Carlos Pacheco THE WRATH OF THE SERPENT GOD! WARRIORS ACROSS TIME DEFY THE ELDER GODS! JAMES ALLISON will soon die. But it's not his first death. He's lived many lives, in many places - lives he can recall in vivid detail. But when an Elder God called the WYRM reaches across time to James, an ages-spanning quest begins! The serpent god SET plans to usher in an eternity of darkness, and only the chosen warriors across time and space have a hope of stopping him: CONAN THE BARBARIAN, SOLOMON KANE, DARK AGNES, and the man known as MOON KNIGHT! In an unprecedented comics event, Robert E. Howard's characters join forces along with Marvel's Moon Knight, in an all-new saga built on REH and Marvel lore from across the ages! PARENTAL ADVISORY

James Bond #1 - OCT191221 (W) Vita Ayala, Danny Lore (A) Eric Gapstur (CA) Jim Cheung New series, new team, new missions! VITA AYALA (Morbius, Age Of X-Man), DANNY LORE (Queen Of Bad Dreams) and ERIC GAPSTUR (James Bond 007) present a fresh take on the world's greatest secret agent. When a priceless piece of art is found to be fake, investigations lead down a rabbit hole of international crime and corruption. But what the hell does James Bond know about the world of art forgery? Featuring a cover by superstar JIM CHEUNG (Justice League, Young Avengers), that will be revealed as an interlocking image over the first three issues!

Power Rangers/TMNT #1 - OCT191380 (W) Ryan Parrott (A) Simone Di Meo (CA) Dan Mora * THE MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS AND THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME! * The Power Rangers arrive in New York City to find Tommy Oliver (a.k.a. The Mighty Morphin Green Ranger) but soon discover he's joined forces with the villainous Shredder and the Foot Clan! * As the Rangers are sent reeling by this betrayal, they 're confronted by another (fr)enemy... the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Can these heroes find a way to work together to defeat the bad guys and save the world from total destruction?! * Written by Ryan Parrott (Power Rangers: Necessary Evil) and illustrated by Simone di Meo (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Venom Annual), the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fight - and maybe team up with - the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the first time. Read the full article

[pamphletstoinspire]

THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL - From The Latin Vulgate Bible

Chapter 4

INTRODUCTION.

DANIEL, whose name signifies "the judgment of God," was of the royal blood of the kings of Juda, and one of those that were first of all carried away into captivity. He was so renowned for his wisdom and knowledge, that it became a proverb among the Babylonians, "as wise as Daniel;" (Ezech. xxviii. 3.) and his holiness was so great from his very childhood, that at the time when he was as yet but a young man, he is joined by the Spirit of God with Noe and Job, as three persons most eminent for virtue and sanctity. Ezech. xiv. He is not commonly numbered by the Hebrews among the prophets, because he lived at court, and in high station in the world: but if we consider his many clear predictions of things to come, we shall find that no one better deserves the name and title of a prophet; which also has been given him by the Son of God himself. Mat. xxiv. Mark xiii. Luke xxi.) Ch. --- The ancient Jews ranked him among the greatest prophets. Jos. Ant. x. 12. and 1 Mac. ii. 59. Those who came after Christ began to make frivolous exceptions, because he so clearly pointed out the coming of our Saviour, (Theod.) that Porphyrius has no other method of evading this authority except by saying, that the book was written under Epiphanes after the event of many of the predictions. S. Jer. --- But this assertion is contrary to all antiquity. Some parts have indeed been questioned, which are found only in Greek. They must, however, have sometime existed in Heb. or Chal. else how should we have the version of Theodotion, which the Church has substituted instead of the Sept. as that copy was become very incorrect, and is now lost? C. --- Some hopes of its recovery are nevertheless entertained; and its publication, at Rome, has been announced. Kennicott. --- In a title, it seems to make the Daniel visited by Habacuc, a priest; but it is abandoned. C. --- This version of course proves that the original was formerly known; and the loss of it, at present, is no more decisive against the authenticity of these pieces, that that of S. Matthew's Heb. original, and of the Chaldee of Judith, &c. will evince that their works are spurious. H. ---Extracts of (C.) Aquila and Sym. seen by S. Jerom, (W.) are also given in the Hexapla. Origen has answered the objections of Africanus, respecting the history of Susanna; and his arguments are equally cogent, when applied to the other contested works. The Jews and Christians were formerly both divided in their sentiments about these pieces. C. See S. Jer. in Jer. xxix. 12. and xxxii. 44. --- But now as the Church (the pillar of truth) has spoken, all farther controversy ought to cease; (H.) and we should follow the precept, Remove not the landmarks which thy fathers have placed. Deut. xix. 14. See N. Alex. t. ii. S. Jerom, who sometimes calls these pieces "fables," explains himself, by observing, that he had delivered "not his own sentiments," but those of the Jews: quid illi contra nos dicere soleant. C. --- If he really denied their authority, his opinion ought not to outweigh that of so many other (H.) Fathers and Councils who receive them. They admit all the parts, as the Council of Trent expressly requires us to do. See S. Cyp. &c. also the observations prefixed to Tobias, (W.) and p. 597. H. --- Paine remarks that Daniel and Ezechiel only pretended to have visions, and carried on an enigmatical correspondence relative to the recovery of their country. But this deserves no refutation. By allowing that their works are genuine, he cuts up the very root of his performance. Watson. --- Daniel, according to Sir Is. Newton, resembles the Apoc. (as both bring us to the end of the Roman empire) and is "the most distinct in order of time, and easiest to be understood; and therefore, in those things that relate to the last times, he must be made a key to the rest." Bp. Newton. --- Yet there are many difficulties which require a knowledge of history; (S. Jer. W.) and we must reflect on the words of Christ, He that readeth, let him understand. Mat. xxiv. 15. Daniel (H.) is supposed to have died at court, (C.) aged 110, having written many things of Christ. W. --- His name is not prefixed to his book, yet as Prideaux observes, he sufficiently shews himself in the sequel to be the author. H.

The additional Notes in this Edition of the New Testament will be marked with the letter A. Such as are taken from various Interpreters and Commentators, will be marked as in the Old Testament. B. Bristow, C. Calmet, Ch. Challoner, D. Du Hamel, E. Estius, J. Jansenius, M. Menochius, Po. Polus, P. Pastorini, T. Tirinus, V. Bible de Vence, W. Worthington, Wi. Witham. — The names of other authors, who may be occasionally consulted, will be given at full length.

Verses are in English and Latin.

Chapter 4

Nabuchodonosor's dream, by which the judgments of God are denounced against him for his pride, is interpreted by Daniel, and verified by the event.

4 1 I, Nabuchodonosor, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace: ego Nabuchodonosor quietus eram in domo mea et florens in palatio meo

4 2 I saw a dream that affrighted me: and my thoughts in my bed, and the visions of my head, troubled me. somnium vidi quod perterruit me et cogitationes meae in stratu meo et visiones capitis mei conturbaverunt me

4 3 Then I set forth a decree, that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought in before me, and that they should shew me the interpretation of the dream. et per me propositum est decretum ut introducerentur in conspectu meo cuncti sapientes Babylonis et us solutionem somnii indicarent mihi

4 4 Then came in the diviners, the wise men, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers, and I told the dream before them: but they did not shew me the interpretation thereof. tunc ingrediebantur arioli magi Chaldei et aruspices et somnium narravi in conspectu eorum et solutionem eius non indicaverunt mihi

4 5 Till their colleague, Daniel, came in before me, whose name is Baltassar, according to the name of my god, who hath in him the spirit of the holy gods: and I told the dream before him. donec collega ingressus est in conspectu meo Danihel cuius nomen Balthasar secundum nomen dei mei qui habet spiritum deorum sanctorum in semet ipso et somnium coram eo locutus sum

4 6 Baltassar, prince of the diviners, because I know that thou hast in thee the spirit of the holy gods, and that no secret is impossible to thee, tell me the visions of my dreams that I have seen, and the interpretation of them? Balthasar princeps ariolorum quem ego scio quod spiritum deorum sanctorum habeas in te et omne sacramentum non est inpossibile tibi visiones somniorum meorum quas vidi et solutionem eorum narra

4 7 This was the vision of my head in my bed: I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was exceeding great. visio capitis mei in cubili meo videbam et ecce arbor in medio terrae et altitudo eius nimia

4 8 The tree was great and strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven: the sight thereof was even to the ends of all the earth. magna arbor et fortis et proceritas eius contingens caelum aspectus illius erat usque ad terminos universae terrae

4 9 Its leaves were most beautiful, and its fruit exceeding much: and in it was food for all: under it dwelt cattle and beasts, and in the branches thereof the fowls of the air had their abode: and all flesh did eat of it. folia eius pulcherrima et fructus eius nimius et esca universorum in ea subter eam habitabant animalia et bestiae et in ramis eius conversabantur volucres caeli et ex ea vescebatur omnis caro

4 10 I saw in the vision of my head upon my bed, and behold a watcher, and a holy one came down from heaven. videbam in visione capitis mei super stratum meum et ecce vigil et sanctus de caelo descendit

4 11 He cried aloud, and said thus: Cut down the tree, and chop off the branches thereof: shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruits: let the beasts fly away that are under it, and the birds from its branches. clamavit fortiter et sic ait succidite arborem et praecidite ramos eius excutite folia eius et dispergite fructum eius fugiant bestiae quae subter eam sunt et volucres de ramis eius

4 12 Nevertheless, leave the stump of its roots in the earth, and let it be tied with a band of iron and of brass, among the grass, that is without, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let its portion be with the wild beasts in the grass of the earth. verumtamen germen radicum eius in terra sinite et alligetur vinculo ferreo et aereo in herbis quae foris sunt et rore caeli tinguatur et cum feris pars eius in herba terrae

4 13 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given him: and let seven times pass over him. cor eius ab humano commutetur et cor ferae detur ei et septem tempora mutentur super eum

4 14 This is the decree by the sentence of the watchers, and the word and demand of the holy ones: till the living know, that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men: and he will give it to whomsoever it shall please him, and he will appoint the basest man over it. in sententia vigilum decretum est et sermo sanctorum et petitio donec cognoscant viventes quoniam dominatur Exelsus in regno hominum et cuicumque voluerit dabit illud et humillimum hominem constituet super eo

4 15 I, king Nabuchodonosor, saw this dream: thou, therefore, O Baltassar, tell me quickly the interpretation: for all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to declare the meaning of it to me: but thou art able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. hoc somnium vidi ego rex Nabuchodonosor tu ergo Balthasar interpretationem narra festinus quia omnes sapientes regni mei non queunt solutionem edicere mihi tu autem potes quia spiritus deorum sanctorum in te est

4 16 Then Daniel, whose name was Baltassar, began silently to think within himself for about one hour: and his thought troubled him. But the king answering, said: Baltassar, let not the dream and the interpretation thereof trouble thee. Baltassar answered, and said: My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thy enemies. tunc Danihel cuius nomen Balthasar coepit intra semet ipsum tacitus cogitare quasi hora una et cogitationes eius conturbabant eum respondens autem rex ait Balthasar somnium et interpretatio eius non conturbent te respondit Balthasar et dixit domine mi somnium his qui te oderunt et interpretatio eius hostibus tuis sit

4 17 The tree which thou sawest, which was high and strong, whose height reached to the skies, and the sight thereof into all the earth: arborem quam vidisti sublimem atque robustam cuius altitudo pertingit ad caelum et aspectus illius in omnem terram

4 18 And the branches thereof were most beautiful, and its fruit exceeding much, and in it was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and the birds of the air had their abode in its branches. et rami eius pulcherrimi et fructus eius nimius et esca omnium in ea subter eam habitantes bestiae agri et in ramis eius commorantes aves caeli

4 19 It is thou, O king, who art grown great, and become mighty: for thy greatness hath grown, and hath reached to heaven, and thy power unto the ends of the earth. tu es rex qui magnificatus es et invaluisti et magnitudo tua crevit et pervenit usque ad caelum et potestas tua in terminos universae terrae

4 20 And whereas the king saw a watcher, and a holy one come down from heaven, and say: Cut down the tree, and destroy it, but leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, and let it be bound with iron and brass, among the grass without, and let it be sprinkled with the dew of heaven, and let his feeding be with the wild beasts, till seven times pass over him. quod autem vidit rex vigilem et sanctum descendere de caelo et dicere succidite arborem et dissipate illam attamen germen radicum eius in terra dimmittite et vinciatur ferro et aere in herbis foris et rore caeli conspergatur et cum feris sit pabulum eius donec septem tempora commutentur super eum

4 21 This is the interpretation of the sentence of the most High, which is come upon my lord, the king. haec est interpretatio sententiae altissimi quae pervenit super dominum meum regem

4 22 They shall cast thee out from among men, and thy dwelling shall be with cattle, and with wild beasts, and thou shalt eat grass, as an ox, and shalt be wet with the dew of heaven: and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. eicient te ab hominibus et cum bestiis feris erit habitatio tua et faenum ut bos comedes et rore caeli infunderis septem quoque tempora mutabuntur super te donec scias quod dominetur excelsus super regnum hominum et cuicumque voluerit det illud

4 23 But whereas he commanded, that the stump of the roots thereof, that is, of the tree, should be left: thy kingdom shall remain to thee, after thou shalt have known that power is from heaven. quod autem praecepit ut relinqueretur germen radicum eius id est arboris regnum tuum tibi manebit postquam cognoveris potestatem esse caelestem

4 24 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to thee, and redeem thou thy sins with alms, and thy iniquities with works of mercy to the poor: perhaps he will forgive thy offences. quam ob rem rex consilium meum placeat tibi et peccata tua elemosynis redime et iniquitates tuas misericordiis pauperum forsitan ignoscat delicitis tuis

4 25 All these things came upon king Nabuchodonosor. omnia venerunt super Nabuchodonosor regem

4 26 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the palace of Babylon. post finem mensuum duodecim in aula Babylonis deambulabat

4 27 And the king answered, and said: Is not this the great Babylon, which I have built, to be the seat of the kingdom, by the strength of my power, and in the glory of my excellence? responditque rex et ait nonne haec est Babylon magna quam ego aedificavi in domum regni in robore fortitudinis meae et in gloria decoris mei

4 28 And while the word was yet in the king's mouth, a voice came down from heaven: To thee, O king Nabuchodonosor, it is said: Thy kingdom shall pass from thee. cum adhuc sermo esset in ore regis vox de caelo ruit tibi dicitur Nabuchodonosor res regnum transiit a te

4 29 And they shall cast thee out from among men, and thy dwelling shall be with cattle and wild beasts: thou shalt eat grass like an ox, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. et ab hominibus te eicient et cum bestiis feris erit habitatio tua faenum quasi bos comedes et septem tempora mutabuntur super te donec scias quod dominetur excelsus in regno hominum et cuicumque voluerit det illud

4 30 The same hour the word was fulfilled upon Nabuchodonosor, and he was driven away from among men, and did eat grass, like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven: till his hairs grew like the feathers of eagles, and his nails like birds' claws. eadem hora sermo conpletus est super Nabuchodonosor ex hominibus abiectus est et faenum ut bos comedit et rore caeli corpus eius infectum est donec capilli eius in similitudinem aquilarum crescerent et ungues eius quasi avium

4 31 Now at the end of the days, I, Nabuchodonosor, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my sense was restored to me: and I blessed the most High, and I praised and glorified him that liveth for ever: for his power is an everlasting power, and his kingdom is to all generations. igitur post finem dierum ego Nabuchodonosor oculos meos ad caelum levavi et sensus meus redditus est mihi et altissimo benedixi et viventem in sempiternum laudavi et glorificavi quia potestas eius potestas sempiterna et regnum eius in generationem et generationem

4 32 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing before him: for he doth according to his will, as well with the powers of heaven, as among the inhabitants of the earth: and there is none that can resist his hand, and say to him: Why hast thou done it? et omnes habitatores terrae apud eum in nihilum reputati sunt iuxta voluntatem enim suam facit tam in virtutibus caeli quam in habitatoribus terrae et non est qui resistat manui eius et dicat ei quare fecisti

4 33 At the same time my sense returned to me, and I came to the honour and glory of my kingdom: and my shape returned to me: and my nobles, and my magistrates, sought for me, and I was restored to my kingdom: and greater majesty was added to me. in ipso tempore sensus meus reversus est ad me et ad honorem regni mei decoremque perveni et figura mea reversa est ad me et optimates mei et magistratus mei requisierunt me et in regno meo constitutus sum et magnificentia amplior addita est mihi

4 34 Therefore I, Nabuchodonosor, do now praise, and magnify, and glorify the King of heaven: because all his works are true, and his ways judgments, and them that walk in pride he is able to abase. nunc igitur ego Nabuchodonosor laudo et magnifico et glorifico regem caeli quia omnia opera eius vera et viae eius iudicia et gradientes in superbia potest humiliare

Commentary:

Ver. 1. Palace. He continues the edict, having subdued all his enemies. C. --- Daniel recites his words. The king had the dream in the 34th year of his reign, which continued in all forty-three, including the seven of absence. W.

Ver. 5. Colleague. Chal. also, "another, or afterwards, (H.) or at last." C. --- My god. He says this, because the name of Baltassar, or Belteshazzar, is derived from the name of Bel, the chief god of the Babylonians. Ch. --- Gods. He speaks conformably to his false opinion; (S. Jer.) or, being instructed by Daniel, he testifies that the Holy Spirit enlightens the prophet. Theod. Gr. has "god," which S. Jerom disapproves; though the plural is often used for the true God. Reason evinces that only the Deity can disclose the secrets of futurity. Gen. xli. 38. C.

Ver. 6. And the. He is convinced that Daniel could do both, but condescends now to relate his dream. H.

Ver. 7. Tree often denotes princes; (Ezec. xxxi. 3.) and according to the false principles (C.) of those who pretend to explain dreams, always (H.) implies some great personage. Achmet. C. 200. Grot. --- But nothing is more vain than these pretensions. C.

Ver. 10. A watcher. A vigilant angel, perhaps the guardian of Israel. Ch. --- Chal. hir; (H.) whence Iris the messenger of the gods, is derived. S. Jer. --- Theodot. retains eir. See S. Jer. in Ps. lxxvi. 4. The Scholiast (Rom. ed.) says: "the Sept. renders it an angel, the rest a watcher." These supernatural agents H. and saints are represented as judges. v. 14. C.

Ver. 11. Branches, to shew that all (H.) the king's subjects should abandon him.

Ver. 12. Let it, the tree, representing the king who was confined when he began to shew signs of madness: but he broke loose, and fled away. C.

Ver. 13. Changed, &c. It does not appear, by Scripture, that Nabuchodonosor was changed from human shape, much less that he was changed into an ox, but only that he lost his reason, and became mad; and in this condition remained abroad in the company of beasts, eating grass like an ox, till his hair grew in such a manner as to resemble the feathers of an eagle, and his nails to be like birds' claws. Ch. --- Origen represents the whole as an allegorical description of the fall of Lucifer. See S. Jer. But his arguments have made little impression: and it is universally believed that Nabuchodonosor was thus punished for his pride, after a whole year had been allowed him to see if he would repent. The manner of this strange metamorphose has been variously explained. But it seems that he was seized with the species of madness styled Lycanthropy, (C.) as Virgil (Ec. vi. 48.) relates of the daughters of Prœtus, who "with mimick'd mooings fill'd the fields." H. --- Thus many fancy they are kings, or horses, (C.) and that they are continually mounting above the clouds, of which we have an instance in a woman still living at Whitby, who in other respects appears to be sufficiently sensible, (H.) as Tertullian and others think Nabuchodonosor was, that he might suffer more. Yet it is commonly supposed he lost his senses for a while, till God was pleased to restore them at the time appointed; when his former humiliating state might make a deep impression upon his mind, as well as upon his subjects, and caution all future generations to guard against the fatal consequences of pride. His son, Evilmerodac, probably ruled during his absence. Most of the Chaldee writings have perished; so that we need not be surprised if they take no notice of this event, wheich was so disgraceful to the nation. Yet Megasthenes, (in Eus. præp. ix. ultra) seems to hint at it, when he represents the king seized with a divine fury, and crying out: (C. Diss.) "I, the same Nabuchodonosor, foretell unto you, Babylonians, a fatal calamity, which neither my ancestor Belus, nor even the kingdom of Bel, (H. the gods) have power to avert. For a Persian mule (Cyrus. C.) shall come, assisted by your demons, and bring on slavery...Having uttered this oracle, he suddenly disappeared." H. --- Beast's heart. In his hypochondriac temper he imagined himself (C.) to be an ox, (H.) avoided the society of men, going naked and feeding on grass, upon his hands and feet, till (after seven years) God restored him to his senses and kingdom. W. --- The food which he used would tend to purge him, and naturally abate the disorder. Barthol. --- Yet none but God could tell precisely when the madness would seize or leave him. --- Times. This usually denotes years, in Daniel; (vii. 25. and xii. 7.) and of course (C.) we must understand it here in this sense; (W.) though some have explained it of an indeterminate length of time, or of weeks, months, or seasons. Only winter and summer were admitted, so that his period would thus suffice. See Theod. C.

Ver. 14. Over it. Kings are not always of the most noble dispositions. H. --- "All honour comes from Jove." Homer. Ili. 17. --- Let the greatest monarchs be humble, (H.) and cast their crowns at the feet of God. C.

Ver. 16. Hour. Chal. shaha, (H.) implies "a little while;" (Grot.) yet of some duration, not precisely like one of the modern hours. The prophet was silent, being troubled by the divine spirit, (C. x. 8.) at the view of impending misery; or unwilling to hurt the king's feelings, till he should urge him to speak. C. --- He was sorry to denounce such calamities, yet must speak the truth. W. --- Trouble. Theodot. "make thee hurry." He perceived the prophet's anxiety, and encouraged him.

Ver. 23. Remain. His son and the nobles should act in his name. v. 13.

Ver. 24. Alms. Chal. "justice," is often taken in this sense. Syr. &c. 2 Cor. ix. 9. C. --- The prediction was conditional, and therefore Daniel exhorts the king to strive to obtain pardon by the powerful remedy of alms-deeds; as he did, after enduring some punishment. W. --- Yet this is very doubtful. v. 31.

Ver. 25. Came. Daniel informs us of this event, unless the king speak of himself in the third person, from v. 16 to 31, giving an account of what he had heard and experienced. H. --- A year of trial was allowed him at first; (Theod.) or he obtained this reprieve by his alms, and lost his former merit by relapsing into pride. S. Jer.

Ver. 27. Answered his own vain thoughts. H. --- He was admiring the city, (C.) which he had greatly enlarged and beautified. Berosus &c.

Ver. 31. Heaven: God having looked on me with pity. S. Aug. (ep. 111. C. or 122. W.) seems to think that he was saved; and the author of the B. on Pred. & grace, (c. 15) attributes to him, remarks that his repentance was different from that of Pharao. Hence none must despair.  S. Jer. ep. vii. to Læta. --- See Theod. A. Lap. &c. who maintain that same opinion: but S. Thomas expresses his doubts. Isaias (xiv. 9.) seems to condign him to hell; and the king here manifests his adhesion to Bel, (v. 5.) and great inconstancy. C. ii. 47. and iii. 15. His conviction seems therefore to have been only in speculation, (C.) or momentary, like that of the philosophers, (Rom. i.) which would render them more criminal; and we must confess, (H.) that this conversion is very equivocal. Sanctius. v. 24 and 34. H.

Ver. 32. With, or "by the powers (angels. v. 10.)...as by men." Grot. --- The stars are also frequently thus described. Mat. xxiv. 29. The king probably believed that the God of the Jews was above his gods, the sun, fire, &c. C.

Ver. 33. Shape. He had not assumed that of an ox, (H.) but had greatly neglected his person, (C.) so that he was covered with hair, &c. v. 30. H.

Ver. 34. I, &c. From this place some commentators infer, that this king became a true convert, and dying not long after, was probably saved. Ch. Jos. Ant. 10 --- This is the last act of his which is recorded. If he had lived much longer, he would probably have restored the Jews. W. - But the time decreed by heaven for their liberation was not yet arrived. H.

[pamphletstoinspire]

THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL - From The Latin Vulgate Bible

Chapter 2

INTRODUCTION.

DANIEL, whose name signifies "the judgment of God," was of the royal blood of the kings of Juda, and one of those that were first of all carried away into captivity. He was so renowned for his wisdom and knowledge, that it became a proverb among the Babylonians, "as wise as Daniel;" (Ezech. xxviii. 3.) and his holiness was so great from his very childhood, that at the time when he was as yet but a young man, he is joined by the Spirit of God with Noe and Job, as three persons most eminent for virtue and sanctity. Ezech. xiv. He is not commonly numbered by the Hebrews among the prophets, because he lived at court, and in high station in the world: but if we consider his many clear predictions of things to come, we shall find that no one better deserves the name and title of a prophet; which also has been given him by the Son of God himself. Mat. xxiv. Mark xiii. Luke xxi.) Ch. --- The ancient Jews ranked him among the greatest prophets. Jos. Ant. x. 12. and 1 Mac. ii. 59. Those who came after Christ began to make frivolous exceptions, because he so clearly pointed out the coming of our Saviour, (Theod.) that Porphyrius has no other method of evading this authority except by saying, that the book was written under Epiphanes after the event of many of the predictions. S. Jer. --- But this assertion is contrary to all antiquity. Some parts have indeed been questioned, which are found only in Greek. They must, however, have sometime existed in Heb. or Chal. else how should we have the version of Theodotion, which the Church has substituted instead of the Sept. as that copy was become very incorrect, and is now lost? C. --- Some hopes of its recovery are nevertheless entertained; and its publication, at Rome, has been announced. Kennicott. --- In a title, it seems to make the Daniel visited by Habacuc, a priest; but it is abandoned. C. --- This version of course proves that the original was formerly known; and the loss of it, at present, is no more decisive against the authenticity of these pieces, that that of S. Matthew's Heb. original, and of the Chaldee of Judith, &c. will evince that their works are spurious. H. ---Extracts of (C.) Aquila and Sym. seen by S. Jerom, (W.) are also given in the Hexapla. Origen has answered the objections of Africanus, respecting the history of Susanna; and his arguments are equally cogent, when applied to the other contested works. The Jews and Christians were formerly both divided in their sentiments about these pieces. C. See S. Jer. in Jer. xxix. 12. and xxxii. 44. --- But now as the Church (the pillar of truth) has spoken, all farther controversy ought to cease; (H.) and we should follow the precept, Remove not the landmarks which thy fathers have placed. Deut. xix. 14. See N. Alex. t. ii. S. Jerom, who sometimes calls these pieces "fables," explains himself, by observing, that he had delivered "not his own sentiments," but those of the Jews: quid illi contra nos dicere soleant. C. --- If he really denied their authority, his opinion ought not to outweigh that of so many other (H.) Fathers and Councils who receive them. They admit all the parts, as the Council of Trent expressly requires us to do. See S. Cyp. &c. also the observations prefixed to Tobias, (W.) and p. 597. H. --- Paine remarks that Daniel and Ezechiel only pretended to have visions, and carried on an enigmatical correspondence relative to the recovery of their country. But this deserves no refutation. By allowing that their works are genuine, he cuts up the very root of his performance. Watson. --- Daniel, according to Sir Is. Newton, resembles the Apoc. (as both bring us to the end of the Roman empire) and is "the most distinct in order of time, and easiest to be understood; and therefore, in those things that relate to the last times, he must be made a key to the rest." Bp. Newton. --- Yet there are many difficulties which require a knowledge of history; (S. Jer. W.) and we must reflect on the words of Christ, He that readeth, let him understand. Mat. xxiv. 15. Daniel (H.) is supposed to have died at court, (C.) aged 110, having written many things of Christ. W. --- His name is not prefixed to his book, yet as Prideaux observes, he sufficiently shews himself in the sequel to be the author. H.

The additional Notes in this Edition of the New Testament will be marked with the letter A. Such as are taken from various Interpreters and Commentators, will be marked as in the Old Testament. B. Bristow, C. Calmet, Ch. Challoner, D. Du Hamel, E. Estius, J. Jansenius, M. Menochius, Po. Polus, P. Pastorini, T. Tirinus, V. Bible de Vence, W. Worthington, Wi. Witham. — The names of other authors, who may be occasionally consulted, will be given at full length.

Verses are in English and Latin.

Chapter 2

Daniel, by divine revelation, declares the dream of Nabuchodonosor, and the interpretation of it. He is highly honoured by the king.

2 1 In the second year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, Nabuchodonosor had a dream, and his spirit was terrified, and his dream went out of his mind. in anno secundo regni Nabuchodonosor vidit Nabuchodonosor somnium et conterritus est spiritus eius et somnium eius fugit ab eo

2 2 Then the king commanded to call together the diviners and the wise men, and the magicians, and the Chaldeans: to declare to the king his dreams: so they came and stood before the king. praecepit ergo rex ut convocarentur arioli et magi et malefici et Chaldei et indicarent regi somnia sua qui cum venissent steterunt coram rege

2 3 And the king said to them: I saw a dream: and being troubled in mind I know not what I saw. et dixit ad eos rex vidi somnium et mente confusus ignoro quid viderim

2 4 And the Chaldeans answered the king in Syriac: O king, live for ever: tell to thy servants thy dream, and we will declare the interpretation thereof. responderuntque Chaldei regi syriace rex in sempiternum vive dic somnium servis tuis et interpretationem eius indicabimus

2 5 And the king, answering, said to the Chaldeans: The thing is gone out of my mind: unless you tell me the dream, and the meaning thereof, you shall be put to death, and your houses shall be confiscated. et respondens rex ait Chaldeis sermo recessit a me nisi indicaveritis mihi somnium et coniecturam eius peribitis vos et domus vestrae publicabuntur

2 6 but if you tell the dream, and the meaning of it, you shall receive of me rewards, and gifts, and great honour: therefore, tell me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. si autem somnium et coniecturam eius narraveritis praemia et dona et honorem multum accipietis a me somnium igitur et interpretationem eius indicate mihi

2 7 They answered again and said: Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will declare the interpretation of it. responderunt secundo atque dixerunt rex somnium dicat servis suis et interpretationem illius indicabimus

2 8 The king answered and said: I know for certain, that you seek to gain time, since you know that the thing is gone from me. respondit rex et ait certo novi quia tempus redimitis scientes quod recesserit a me sermo

2 9 If, therefore, you tell me not the dream, there is one sentence concerning you, that you have also framed a lying interpretation, and full of deceit, to speak before me till the time pass away. Tell me, therefore, the dream, that I may know that you also give a true interpretation thereof. si ergo somnium non indicaveritis mihi una est de vobis sententia quod interpretationem quoque fallacem et deceptione plenam conposueritis ut loquamini mihi donec tempus pertranseat somnium itaque dicite mihi ut sciam quod interpretationem quoque eius veram loquamini

2 10 Then the Chaldeans answered before the king, and said: There is no man upon earth, that can accomplish thy word, O king; neither doth any king, though great and mighty, ask such a thing of any diviner, or wise man, or Chaldean. respondentes ergo Chaldei coram rege dixerunt non est homo super terram qui sermonem tuum rex possit implere sed neque regum quisquam magnus et potens verbum huiuscemodi sciscitatur ab omni ariolo et mago et Chaldeo

2 11 For the thing that thou asketh, O king, is difficult: nor can any one be found that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose conversation is not with men. sermo enim quem tu rex quaeris gravis est nec repperietur quisquam qui indicet illum in conspectu regis exceptis diis quorum non est cum hominibus conversatio

2 12 Upon hearing this, the king in fury, and in great wrath, commanded that all the wise men of Babylon should be put to death. quo audito rex in furore et in ira magna praecepit ut perirent omnes sapientes Babylonis

2 13 And the decree being gone forth, the wise men were slain: and Daniel and his companions were sought for, to be put to death. et egressa sententia sapientes interficiebantur quaerebaturque Danihel et socii eius ut perirent

2 14 Then Daniel inquired concerning the law and the sentence, of Arioch, the general of the king's army, who was gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon. tunc Danihel requisivit de lege atque sententia ab Arioch principe militiae regis qui egressus fuerat ad interficiendos sapientes Babylonis

2 15 And he asked him that had received the orders of the king, why so cruel a sentence was gone forth from the face of the king. And when Arioch had told the matter to Daniel, et interrogavit eum qui a rege acceperat potestatem quam ob causam tam crudelis sententia a facie esset regis egressa cum ergo rem indicasset Arioch Daniheli

2 16 Daniel went in, and desired of the king, that he would give him time to resolve the question, and declare it to the king. Danihel ingressus rogavit regem ut tempus daret sibi ad solutionem indicandam regi

2 17 And he went into his house, and told the matter to Ananias, and Misael, and Azarias, his companions: et ingressus est domum suam Ananiaeque Misaheli et Azariae sociis suis indicavit negotium

2 18 To the end that they should ask mercy at the face of the God of heaven, concerning this secret, and that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. ut quaererent misericordiam a facie Dei caeli super sacramento isto et non perirent Danihel et socii eius cum ceteris sapientibus Babylonis

2 19 Then was the mystery revealed to Daniel by a vision in the night: and Daniel blessed the God of heaven, tunc Daniheli per visionem nocte mysterium revelatum est et Danihel benedixit Deo caeli

2 20 And speaking, he said: Blessed be the name of the Lord from eternity and for evermore: for wisdom and fortitude are his. et locutus ait sit nomen Domini benedictum a saeculo et usque in saeculum quia sapientia et fortitudo eius sunt

2 21 And he changeth times and ages: taketh away kingdoms, and establisheth them: giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that have understanding: et ipse mutat tempora et aetates transfert regna atque constituit dat sapientiam sapientibus et scientiam intellegentibus disciplinam

2 22 He revealeth deep and hidden things, and knoweth what is in darkness: and light is with him. ipse revelat profunda et abscondita et novit in tenebris constituta et lux cum eo est

2 23 To thee, O God of our fathers, I give thanks, and I praise thee: because thou hast given me wisdom and strength: and now thou hast shewn me what we desired of thee, for thou hast made known to us the king's discourse. tibi Deus patrum meorum confiteor teque laudo quia sapientiam et fortitudinem dedisti mihi et nunc ostendisti mihi quae rogavimus te quia sermonem regis aperuisti nobis

2 24 After this Daniel went in to Arioch, to whom the king had given orders to destroy the wise men of Babylon, and he spoke thus to him: Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will tell the solution to the king. post haec Danihel ingressus ad Arioch quem constituerat rex ut perderet sapientes Babylonis sic ei locutus est sapientes Babylonis ne perdas introduc me in conspectu regis et solutionem regi enarrabo

2 25 Then Arioch in haste brought in Daniel to the king, and said to him: I have found a man of the children of the captivity of Juda, that will resolve the question to the king. tunc Arioch festinus introduxit Danihelem ad regem et dixit ei inveni hominem de filiis transmigrationis Iudae qui solutionem regi adnuntiet

2 26 The king answered, and said to Daniel, whose name was Baltassar: Thinkest thou indeed that thou canst tell me the dream that I saw, and the interpretation thereof? respondit rex et dixit Daniheli cuius nomen erat Balthasar putasne vere potes indicare mihi somnium quod vidi et interpretationem eius

2 27 And Daniel made answer before the king, and said: The secret that the king desireth to know, none of the wise men, or the philosophers, or the diviners, or the soothsayers, can declare to the king. et respondens Danihel coram rege ait mysterium quod rex interrogat sapientes magi et arioli et aruspices non queunt indicare regi

2 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth mysteries, who hath shewn to thee, O king Nabuchodonosor, what is to come to pass in the latter times. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these: sed est Deus in caelo revelans mysteria qui indicavit tibi rex Nabuchodonosor quae ventura sunt novissimis temporibus somnium tuum et visiones capitis tui in cubili tuo huiuscemodi sunt

2 29 Thou, O king, didst begin to think in thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth mysteries shewed thee what shall come to pass. tu rex cogitare coepisti in stratu tuo quid esset futurum post haec et qui revelat mysteria ostendit tibi quae ventura sunt

2 30 To me also this secret is revealed, not by any wisdom that I have more than all men alive: but that the interpretation might be made manifest to the king, and thou mightest know the thought of thy mind. mihi quoque non in sapientia quae est in me plus quam in cunctis viventibus sacramentum hoc revelatum est sed ut interpretatio regi manifesta fieret et cogitationes mentis tuae scires

2 31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold there was as it were a great statue: this statue, which was great and high, tall of stature, stood before thee, and the look thereof was terrible. tu rex videbas et ecce quasi statua una grandis statua illa magna et statura sublimis stabat contra te et intuitus eius erat terribilis

2 32 The head of this statue was of fine gold, but the breast and the arms of silver, and the belly and the thighs of brass. huius statuae caput ex auro optimo erat pectus autem et brachia de argento porro venter et femora ex aere

2 33 And the legs of iron, the feet part of iron and part of clay. tibiae autem ferreae pedum quaedam pars erat ferrea quaedam fictilis

2 34 Thus thou sawest, till a stone was cut out of a mountain without hands: and it struck the statue upon the feet thereof that were of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. videbas ita donec abscisus est lapis sine manibus et percussit statuam in pedibus eius ferreis et fictilibus et comminuit eos

2 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of a summer's threshing floor, and they were carried away by the wind: and there was no place found for them: but the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. tunc contrita sunt pariter ferrum testa aes argentum et aurum et redacta quasi in favillam aestivae areae rapta sunt vento nullusque locus inventus est eis lapis autem qui percusserat statuam factus est mons magnus et implevit universam terram

2 36 This is the dream: we will also tell the interpretation thereof before thee, O king. hoc est somnium interpretationem quoque eius dicemus coram te rex

2 37 Thou art a king of kings: and the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, and strength, and power, and glory: tu rex regum es et Deus caeli regnum fortitudinem et imperium et gloriam dedit tibi

2 38 And all places wherein the children of men, and the beasts of the field do dwell: he hath also given the birds of the air into thy hand, and hath put all things under thy power: thou, therefore, art the head of gold. et omnia in quibus habitant filii hominum et bestiae agri volucresque caeli dedit in manu tua et sub dicione tua universa constituit tu es ergo caput aureum

2 39 And after thee shall rise up another kingdom, inferior to thee, of silver: and another third kingdom of brass, which shall rule over all the world. et post te consurget regnum aliud minus te et regnum tertium aliud aereum quod imperabit universae terrae

2 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be as iron. As iron breaketh into pieces, and subdueth all things, so shall that break, and destroy all these. et regnum quartum erit velut ferrum quomodo ferrum comminuit et domat omnia sic comminuet omnia haec et conteret

2 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet, and the toes, part of potter's clay, and part of iron: the kingdom shall be divided, but yet it shall take its origin from the iron, according as thou sawest the iron mixed with the miry clay. porro quia vidisti pedum et digitorum partem testae figuli et partem ferream regnum divisum erit quod tamen de plantario ferri orietur secundum quod vidisti ferrum mixtum testae ex luto

2 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay: the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. et digitos pedum ex parte ferreos et ex parte fictiles ex parte regnum erit solidum et ex parte contritum

2 43 And whereas thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall be mingled indeed together with the seed of man, but they shall not stick fast one to another, as iron cannot be mixed with clay. quia autem vidisti ferrum mixtum testae ex luto commiscebuntur quidem humano semine sed non adherebunt sibi sicuti ferrum misceri non potest testae

2 44 But in the days of those kingdoms, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never by destroyed, and his kingdom shall not be delivered up to another people: and it shall break in pieces, and shall consume all these kingdoms: and itself shall stand for ever. in diebus autem regnorum illorum suscitabit Deus caeli regnum quod in aeternum non dissipabitur et regnum eius populo alteri non tradetur comminuet et consumet universa regna haec et ipsum stabit in aeternum

2 45 According as thou sawest, that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and broke in pieces the clay and the iron, and the brass, and the silver, and the gold, the great God hath shewn the king what shall come to pass hereafter, and the dream is true, and the interpretation thereof is faithful. secundum quod vidisti quod de monte abscisus est lapis sine manibus et comminuit testam et ferrum et aes et argentum et aurum Deus magnus ostendit regi quae futura sunt postea et verum est somnium et fidelis interpretatio eius

2 46 Then king Nabuchodonosor fell on his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer in sacrifice to him victims and incense. tunc rex Nabuchodonosor cecidit in faciem suam et Danihelum adoravit et hostias et incensum praecepit ut sacrificarent ei

2 47 And the king spoke to Daniel, and said: Verily, your God is the God of gods, and Lord of kings, and a revealer of hidden things: seeing thou couldst discover this secret. loquens ergo rex ait Daniheli vere Deus vester Deus deorum est et Dominus regum et revelans mysteria quoniam potuisti aperire sacramentum hoc

2 48 Then the king advanced Daniel to a high station, and gave him many and great gifts: and he made him governor over all the provinces of Babylon: and chief of the magistrates over all the wise men of Babylon. tunc rex Danihelum in sublime extulit et munera multa et magna dedit ei et constituit eum principem super omnes provincias Babylonis et praefectum magistratuum super cunctos sapientes Babylonis

2 49 And Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, over the works of the province of Babylon: but Daniel himself was in the king's palace. Danihel autem postulavit a rege et constituit super opera provinciae Babylonis Sedrac Misac et Abdenago ipse autem Danihel erat in foribus regis

Commentary:

Ver. 1. Year, from the death of his father, Nabopolassar; for he had reigned before as partner with his father, in the empire. Ch. --- In that quality he conquered Syria, (A. 3397) took Daniel, &c. in 3399. He succeeded his father. Usher. C. --- After he had enlarged his empire by the conquest of Egypt, &c. he had this dream. A. R. 25. W. --- Mind. Sept. "his sleep departed from him." H. --- He was restless, recollecting enough to fill him with trouble. When the dream was repeated over, he knew that it was the same. C.

Ver. 2. The Chaldeans. That is, the astrologers, that pretended to divine by stars. Ch. --- They dwelt on the banks of the Euphrates, and were highly esteemed. Diod. Sic. i. --- They were the most ancient philosophers. Civ. Div. i.

Ver. 3. I know. Heb. also, "to know or understand what," &c.

Ver. 4. Syriac. It was originally the same as the Chaldee. Daniel understood this language, as well as Heb. and writes in it what concerned the Chaldees, to C. viii. This shews his accuracy, as he makes his speakers use their own tongue. Spinosa ignorantly asserts, that all the seven first chapters are in Chal. and taken from the records of that nation by Judas Macc. How then did Matthathias become acquainted with the contents?

Ver. 5. Put. Chal. "torn to pieces, and your house become infamous places;" (C.) Prot. "a dunghill" H. --- Such cruel punishments were not uncommon. 1 Esd. vi. 11. C. --- Bessus was torn in pieces by the relations of Darius; (Diod. xvii.) and the Persians generally cut off some member of criminals. Brisson ii.

Ver. 8. Gain. Lit. "redeem" H. --- S. Paul uses a similar expression, exhorting us to save our souls even at the expense of our temporal interest. C. --- The diviners wished to give the king's fury time to abate, (H.) and to save their lives; (C.) or delay punishment, at least, as much as possible. H.

Ver. 9. Thereof. It is indeed more easy to discover what dream a person has had, than to explain it; since the devil might disclose the former, but he can only guess at what will happen, and herein his agents are often deceived. See Gen. xl. W. --- It is not even certain that the devil can know the dreams which we have not divulged, as it is the privilege of God to discern the secrets of the heart. H.

Ver. 11. Men. They acknowledged greater and less gods. Stanley, p. 13. C. i. --- They pretend not to have any communication with the superior ones, (C.) and by their answer unguardedly bear testimony to the excellence of the God whom Daniel served. S. Jer.

Ver. 13. Slain. Lit. "were slaughtering;" interficiebantur. H. --- Many think that some had already suffered. Geier. M. --- The had been perhaps jealous of Daniel, and had not informed him of the matter. S. Jer.

Ver. 14. General. He occupied the same office as Putiphar, in Egypt. Gen. xxxix. 1. It was no disgrace for such a one to execute himself the king's order, as Banaias slew the brother of Solomon. 3 K. ii.

Ver. 15. Cruel. Chal. also, "precipitate." C.

Ver. 16. Declare the dream. H. --- The Chaldeans had promised only to explain it, and the king knew the superior merit of Daniel. C. i. 19. C.

Ver. 18. Secret. Lit. "sacrament." Gr. "mystery," which seems to be derived from (C.) mosthor, "a secret." H.

Ver. 19. Night, while he was probably asleep, (C.) or praying with his companions. Villet.

Ver. 20. His. He grants them to whom he pleases, and disposes of kingdoms (C.) without control. v. 21.

Ver. 27. Soothsayers. Chal. Gazerin, (H.) who inspect entrails, (Ezec. xxi. 21. S. Jer.) or tell fortunes by sticks. C. iii. 3.

Ver. 28. Times. In the Old Test. this commonly signifies when Christ shall appear; but in the New, it refers to the end of the world. C.

Ver. 29. Begin. By thus telling what thoughts the king had entertained before his dream, he would be heard with greater confidence. W.

Ver. 31. Terrible, or unusual. C. --- The statue denoted the four great empires of the Chaldees, Persians, Greeks and Romans. The metals did not mean that the empire of gold was greater than the rest, as that signified by iron was far more powerful; but only that the empire of the Chaldees was then the greatest, and that the Persians would acquire still more power and be surpassed by the Greeks, as they were by the Romans, till the kingdom of Christ should be spread over all the earth. W.

Ver. 37. Of kings. This title was used by the Persians. Nabuchodonosor was at that time the most potent monarch on earth. He conquered many nations, and greatly embellished the city of Babylon, surrounding it with three walls in fifteen days, and building hanging gardens, which were the wonder of the world. See Eus. præp. ix. 41. and x. 42. &c. C.

Ver. 39. Another kingdom; viz. that of the Medes and Persians. Ch. --- Inferior; later, of less duration and extent. C. --- Third, &c. That of Alexander the Great. Ch. --- World. Alexander received ambassadors at Babylon, from the most distant nations, testifying their submission. He conquered beyond the river Indus, &c. Diod. A. 1. Olym. 14. C.

Ver. 40. The fourth kingdom, &c. Some understand this of the successors of Alexander, the kings of Syria and Egypt: others, of the Roman empire and its civil wars. Ch. --- The former supposition seems best, though the latter is almost universally received, and will be explained hereafter. C. --- The Roman empire did not immediately rise out of Alexander's, and had no relation to the Jews, &c. Grot. L'Empereus. --- But it surely swallowed up all that he had left to his generals, and proved the greatest scourge to the Jewish nation; which has been ever since scattered, while the kingdom of Christ gains ground, and will flourish till that of Rome shall be no more. Antichrist will then appear to cast a cloud over, but not destroy it for three years and a half. It is the opinion of many Fathers, &c. that the Roman empire will subsist till that event take place; (see 2 Thes. ii. 3. 7.) and thus it may be said, that the fourth empire shall not be given to another people. For antichrist will not strive to exalt a particular nation, but to rule over all. Yet his dominion will be short, and will end in the general dissolution of nature; so that the Roman empire maybe deemed to last for a long time, or even for ever. v. 44. Those who adopt the former system, allow (H.) that the stone designates both the Roman empire and that of Christ; so that some parts of the prediction may refer to one and some to the other. The origin and progress of the Roman empire, might be a figure of the spiritual power of the Church. It is certain that the successors of Alexander owed their dominion to their valour, and established it by the slaughter of many great generals. The kings who followed Seleucus and Ptolemy were remarkable for a mixture of good and bad qualities. Their efforts to preserve their power by intermarriages, proved abortive. The prophet seems also to have had them in view, C. vii. 7. and viii. 22. C.

Ver. 41. Clay. The iron was in a rude state, mixed with earth. The Roman power was at last partly exercised by consuls and partly by emperors. M. --- Florus (l.) compares it to the four states of a man, infancy, childhood, youth, and old age. Its youth may be dated from the conquest of all Italy to Tiberius; afterwards it fell to decay, while the eternal kingdom of Christ was forming. v. 44.

Ver. 43. Man. Pompey and Cæsar, Anthony and Augustus, married each other's relations; but they soon quarrelled, and the race of the Cæsars was extinct in Nero. But this is better understood of the kings of Syria and of Egypt. C.

Ver. 44. Kingdom of Christ, in the Catholic Church, which cannot be destroyed. Ch. --- This alone cannot be destroyed. W. --- All other empires change. The Catholic Church has stood for seventeen centuries in the midst of persecutions, which gives us an assurance that she will continue for ever. C. --- "Then," says Munster, "was the kingdom of Christ set up, not by arms,...but by the divine power." This interpretation arises from the improper version, without hands; whereas the sequel shews that the empire here spoken of, is attended with the like violence as the four others, which it destroys. The Roman empire was in no degree connected with others by marriage. In the following verse, Munster improperly turns to the second coming of our Saviour. Grotius here asserts that the stone alludes to the Roman armies, prefiguring the Son of man, whose gospel is indicated by the progress of the Roman empire, as both sprung from small beginnings. But who informed him that there were such figures in that empire as in the Old Testament? All empires begin in that manner, and types should have some greater resemblance with the reality. The Church meddles not with the temporal powers. It is therefore plain that the prophet speaks of empires which shall succeed each other. Houbigant. perf. Prop. 340. --- Kingdoms. That of Rome comprised all the former. The persecuting emperors are forced to yield, and the colossal power of infidelity and vice falls before the gospel. Christ's dominion is spiritual, exercised against wickedness; (C.) is heavenly and eternal. H. --- The blood of martyrs was more efficacious in the establishing of Christianity, than fire and sword had been in forming other empires. M.

Ver. 45. Hands. Prot. marg. "mountain, which was not in hand." H. --- Christ was born of a virgin; and his kingdom was not established by ambition, like others. Yet it presently became a mountain, and filled the earth. S. Just. dial. S. Aug. tr. 9. in Jo. --- God himself sets up this kingdom. C.

Ver. 46. Daniel, taking him for a little god, under the great one, v. 17. W. --- Victims. Chal. mincha, (H.) of flour, &c. But the prophet had already declared his sentiments on this head, (v. 28.) and abhorred such honours, like S. Paul, (Acts xiv. 10. C.) though this is not here recorded. M.

Ver. 47. Of gods, above all those of the country for explaining hidden things: yet he did not acknowledge him to be the only true God. C. --- He afterwards erected an idol to represent his own greatness. W.

Ver. 48. Provinces, or that of Babylonia, which was the first. --- Wise men. This would not engage him in any idolatrous practices.

Ver. 49. Works of agriculture, (C.) which the ancient kings of Persia encouraged with great attention, appointing officers to reward or punish according as their land was cultivated. Xenophon, Cyr. 8. & Œcon. --- S. Jerom thinks they were appointed judges, (C.) or assistants of Daniel. Grot. - Palace. Lit. "gates," (H.) as receiver of the taxes, particularly at Susa. C. viii. 2. Marsham Egypt. sæc. 18.