Daniel 6:19-28 ▼

19 The king got up at dawn and went quickly to the lions' pit.

20 As he approached where Daniel was in the pit, he cried out to him in a voice filled with anguish, |Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve constantly, been able to deliver you from the lions?|

21 Daniel replied to the king, |May your majesty live forever!

22 My God sent his angel and sealed the mouths of the lions. They have not harmed me, proving that I'm innocent before him. Also against you, your majesty, I've committed no offense.|

23 The king was ecstatic, so he gave orders for Daniel to be released from the pit. Daniel was taken up from the pit, and no injury was found to have been inflicted on him, because he had believed in his God.

24 Then the king gave orders to bring those men who had tried to have Daniel devoured, and they threw them, their children, and their wives into the lions' pit. They had not reached the floor of the pit before the lions had overtaken them and crushed all their bones.

25 Afterward, King Darius wrote to all peoples, nations, and languages who lived throughout his realm: |May great prosperity be yours!

26 |I hereby decree that in every area of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, who endures forever. His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed, and his dominion continues forever.

27 He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. He has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.|

28 Daniel achieved success during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian.