Daniel 6
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v1
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty local governors, who should be throughout the whole kingdom;
v2
and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these local governors might give account to them, and that the king should suffer no loss.
v3
Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the local governors, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
v4
Then the presidents and the local governors sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion or fault, because he was faithful. There wasnโt any error or fault found in him.
v5
Then these men said, โWe wonโt find any occasion against this Daniel, unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.โ
v6
Then these presidents and local governors assembled together to the king, and said this to him, โKing Darius, live forever!
v7
All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the local governors, the counselors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong decree, that whoever asks a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
v8
Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesnโt alter.โ
v9
Therefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
v10
When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.
v11
Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.
v12
Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the kingโs decree: โHavenโt you signed a decree that every man who makes a petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?โ The king answered, โThis thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesnโt alter.โ
v13
Then they answered and said before the king, โThat Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesnโt respect you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.โ
v14
Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him.
v15
Then these men assembled together to the king, and said to the king, โKnow, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may be changed.โ
v16
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. The king spoke and said to Daniel, โYour God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.โ
v17
A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
v18
Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting. No musical instruments were brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.
v19
Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions.
v20
When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, โDaniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?โ
v21
Then Daniel said to the king, โO king, live forever!
v22
My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lionsโ mouths, and they have not hurt me; because as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.โ
v23
Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
v24
The king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions mauled them, and broke all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.
v25
Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: โPeace be multiplied to you.
v26
โI make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; โfor he is the living God, and steadfast forever. His kingdom is that which will not be destroyed. His dominion will be even to the end.
v27
He delivers and rescues. He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.โ
v28
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.