Daniel
6
1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10 11
12
1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and
twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2 And over
these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might
give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3 Then
this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent
spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then
the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the
kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was
faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then
said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we
find it against him concerning the law of his God.
6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to
the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. 7 All
the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors,
and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to
make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for
thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now,
O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed,
according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9 Wherefore
king Darius signed the writing and the decree. 10 Now when Daniel knew
that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open
in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day,
and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and
making supplication before his God. 12 Then they came near, and spake
before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree,
that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty
days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king
answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes
and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then answered they and said
before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity
of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but
maketh his petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard
these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart
on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to
deliver him. 15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto
the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That
no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. 16 Then
the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of
lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest
continually, he will deliver thee. 17 And a stone was brought, and
laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and
with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning
Daniel.
18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night
fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep
went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and
went in haste unto the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den,
he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said
to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest
continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel
unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel,
and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as
before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done
no hurt. 23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded
that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of
the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his
God. 24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had
accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their
children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all
their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and
languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I
make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before
the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and
his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall
be even unto the end. 27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he
worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from
the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of
Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
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