| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "May the king live forever! |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego--who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up." |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, Your Majesty." |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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