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Daniel 6

Some men speak to the king against Daniel [ a ]

6 King Darius decided to choose 120 men to rule the regions of his nation. Together, they would rule the whole kingdom. 2 He also chose three other men to be his officers. He gave them authority over the 120 rulers. The king wanted to be sure that they were working well. Daniel was one of the three officers. 3 Daniel did his work much better than the other officers and rulers. He was very good at his job. Daniel was so good that the king wanted to make him ruler over the whole kingdom.

4 The other officers and rulers were jealous. They wanted to find something bad about Daniel so that they could tell the king. They watched how Daniel worked to serve the king. But they could not find that he did any wrong thing. That was because Daniel was good and honest. He always did everything properly. 5 Then these men said to each other, ‘We cannot find anything that Daniel does wrong in his work. We must find something that he does to obey the laws of his God.’

6 So the officers and rulers agreed together what they would do. They went to the king and they said, ‘King Darius, live for ever! 7 All the officers in the kingdom have decided on a good idea. All the rulers, the judges, the wise people, and the leaders in the different regions agree. We think that the king should make a strong law. For 30 days, people must pray only to you, the king. If they pray to any other person or god, you must punish them. Your servants must throw them into the cave where your lions live. 8 You should write down this law and then you should write your name on it, as king. Then it will be a law of the Medes and the Persians which nobody can change.’

9 King Darius agreed. He wrote his name on this new law. [ b ]

Daniel refuses to obey the king's new law

10 Daniel heard that the king had written this new law. Then he went home. He went upstairs to his room where the windows opened in the direction of Jerusalem. He bent down on his knees and he prayed to God, and he thanked God. He did that three times every day, in the same way that he had always done before.

11 Then the officers and rulers who were jealous of Daniel went to see what he would do. They saw that Daniel was praying to God and he was asking God for help. 12 So they went to tell the king about this. They said, ‘Remember that you wrote a new law. You commanded that for 30 days, nobody must pray to any god or person, except to you, the king. If anyone prays to someone else, your servants must throw them into the cave where your lions live.’

The king answered them, ‘It is true. It is a law of the Medes and the Persians and nobody can change it.’

13 Then the officers said to the king, ‘But Daniel does not obey your new law. He is one of the men that they brought here from Judah. He does not respect you or your law. He still prays three times every day to his God.’

14 When the king heard this, he was very sad. He tried to think of a way to save Daniel. Until sunset, the king thought about what he could do to save Daniel. [ c ] 15 Then the officers agreed together and they went back to the king. They said, ‘Remember, sir, that nobody can change a law that the king has made. It is a law of the Medes and the Persians.’

16 So the king sent his servants to fetch Daniel. Then they threw Daniel into the cave where the lions lived. The king said to Daniel, ‘You have always continued to serve your God. I am sure that he will save you.’ 17 They took a big stone and they covered the top of the lions' cave. The king put a mark on the stone with his ring of authority. He also marked it with the rings of his important men. This meant that nobody could move the big stone to save Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace. He ate no food. Nobody brought anything to him to give him pleasure. He was unable to sleep.

God shuts the lions' mouths

19 The king got up very early in the morning, at sunrise. He hurried to the cave where the lions were. 20 When he got near to the cave, he was very upset. He shouted to Daniel, ‘Daniel, you have continued to worship the living God, as his servant. Was your God able to save you from the lions?’

21 Then Daniel said to the king, ‘King, live for ever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the lions' mouths. So the lions have not hurt me. God knows that I have done no wrong thing. I have not done anything to hurt you, the king, either.’

23 The king was very happy when he heard Daniel's voice. He told his servants that they must pull Daniel up out of the lions' cave. So they lifted him out. When they looked at him, they saw that the lions had not hurt him at all. Daniel had trusted in his God, so God had kept him safe.

King Darius punishes the jealous men

24 Then the king gave a command to his servants. They brought the jealous men who had said bad things against Daniel. They threw them into the lions' cave, together with their wives and their children. Before they reached the floor of the cave, the lions attacked them. They broke all their bones into pieces.

25 After that, King Darius wrote to all the people of every nation, who spoke all languages. He wrote:

‘I hope that you all have good and happy lives.

26 I have made a law for every part of my kingdom. All people must respect the God that Daniel serves. They must respect him with fear.

He is the God who always lives.
He will continue for ever.
Nobody will ever destroy his kingdom.
He will rule for ever.
27 He rescues his people and he keeps them safe.
He does powerful miracles in the heavens and on the earth.
He has saved Daniel from the lions' power!’

28 So Daniel continued to have authority while Darius was king, and also when Cyrus from Persia became king. [ d ]

Footnotes

  1. 6:1 Daniel was an old man then, but he was still working for the king.
  2. 6:9 After the king made a law, nobody could change it. That was the law of the Medes and Persians.
  3. 6:14 The king knew that Daniel was a good, honest person. He realized that his officers had deceived him. So he did not want to punish Daniel.
  4. 6:28 Persia was the country that we call Iran today.

Daniel and the Lions

6 Darius thought it would be a good idea to choose 120 satraps to rule throughout his kingdom. 2 He chose three men to rule over the 120 satraps. Daniel was one of the three supervisors. The king put these men in this position to keep anyone from cheating him. 3 Daniel proved himself to be a better supervisor than any of the others. He did this by his good character and great ability. The king was so impressed with Daniel that he planned to make him ruler over the whole kingdom. 4 But when the other supervisors and the satraps heard about this, they were very jealous. They tried to find reasons to accuse Daniel. So they watched what Daniel did as he went about doing the business of the government. But they could not find anything wrong with him, so they could not accuse him of doing anything wrong. Daniel was a man people could trust. He did not cheat the king, and he worked very hard.

5 Finally, they said, “We will never find any reason to accuse Daniel of doing something wrong. So we must find something to complain about that is connected to the law of his God.”

6 So the two supervisors and the satraps went as a group to the king. They said, “King Darius, live forever! 7 The supervisors, prefects, satraps, advisors, and governors have all agreed on something. We think that the king should make this law and that everyone must obey it: For the next 30 days, whoever prays to any god or man except you, King, will be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, King, make the law and sign the paper it is written on so that it cannot be changed, because the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be canceled or changed.” 9 So King Darius made the law and signed it.

10 Daniel always prayed to God three times every day. Three times every day, he bowed down on his knees to pray and praise God. Even though Daniel heard about the new law, he still went to his house to pray. He went up to the upper room of his house and opened the windows that faced toward Jerusalem. Then Daniel bowed down on his knees and prayed just as he always had done.

11 Then the supervisors and satraps went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and talked to him about the law he had made. They said, “King Darius, you signed a law that says, for the next 30 days anyone who prays to any god or man except you, the king, would be thrown into the lions’ den. You did sign that law, didn’t you?”

The king answered, “Yes, I signed that law, and the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be canceled or changed.”

13 Then they said to the king, “That man Daniel is not paying any attention to you. He is one of the captives [ a ] from Judah, and he is not paying attention to the law you signed. Daniel still prays to his God three times every day.”

14 The king became very sad and upset when he heard this. He decided to save Daniel. He worked until sunset trying to think of a way to save him. 15 Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, “Remember, King, that the law of the Medes and Persians says that no law or command signed by the king can ever be canceled or changed.”

16 So King Darius gave the order. They brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May the God you serve save you!” 17 A big rock was brought and put over the opening of the lions’ den. Then the king used his ring and put his seal on the rock. He also used the rings of his officials and put their seals on the rock. This showed that no one could move that rock and bring Daniel out of the lion’s den. 18 Then King Darius went back to his house. He did not eat that night. He did not want anyone to come and entertain him. He could not sleep all night.

19 The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. 20 He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.”

21 Daniel answered, “King, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.”

23 King Darius was very happy. He told his servants to lift Daniel out of the lions’ den. And when Daniel was lifted out of the den, they did not find any injury on his body. The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his God.

24 Then the king gave a command to bring the men who had accused Daniel to the lions’ den. The men and their wives and children were thrown into the lions’ den. The lions grabbed them before they hit the floor. The lions ate their bodies and then chewed on their bones.

25 Then King Darius wrote this letter to all the people from other nations and language groups all around the world:

Greetings:

26 I am making a new law. This law is for people in every part of my kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the God of Daniel.

Daniel’s God is the living God;
he lives forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed.
His rule will never end.
27 God helps and saves people.
He does amazing miracles in heaven and on earth.
He saved Daniel from the lions.

28 So Daniel was successful during the time Darius was king and when Cyrus the Persian was king.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 6:13 captives People taken away as prisoners. Here, it means the Jewish people who were taken to Babylon.

6 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 exceedingly 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.

Daniel Serves Darius

6 [ a ] It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, to be in charge of the whole kingdom, 2 and over them, three commissioners (of whom ( A ) Daniel was one), so that these satraps would be accountable to them, and that the king would not [ b ] suffer ( B ) loss. 3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself [ c ] among the commissioners and satraps because [ d ] he possessed an ( C ) extraordinary spirit, and the king intended to appoint him over the ( D ) entire kingdom. 4 Then the commissioners and satraps began ( E ) trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel regarding [ e ] government affairs; but they could find ( F ) no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him regarding the ( G ) law of his God.”

6 Then these commissioners and satraps came [ f ] by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, ( H ) live forever! 7 All the ( I ) commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have ( J ) consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall ( K ) be thrown into the lions’ [ g ] den. 8 Now, O king, ( L ) establish the injunction and sign the document so that it will not be changed, according to the ( M ) law of the Medes and Persians, which [ h ] may not be revoked.” 9 Thereupon, King Darius ( N ) signed the document, that is, the injunction.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the document was signed, he entered his house (and in his roof chamber he had windows open ( O ) toward Jerusalem); and he continued ( P ) kneeling on his knees three times a day, ( Q ) praying and ( R ) offering praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously. 11 Then these men came [ i ] ( S ) by agreement and found Daniel offering a prayer and imploring favor before his God. 12 Then they approached and ( T ) spoke before the king about the king’s injunction: “Did you not sign an injunction that any person who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the ( U ) law of the Medes and Persians, which [ j ] may not be revoked.” 13 Then they responded and spoke before the king, “ ( V ) Daniel, who is one of the [ k ] exiles from Judah, pays ( W ) no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps offering his prayer three times a day.”

14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply ( X ) distressed, and set his mind on rescuing Daniel; and until sunset he kept exerting himself to save him. 15 Then these men came [ l ] by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a ( Y ) law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and ( Z ) thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “ [ m ] ( AA ) Your God whom you continually serve will Himself rescue you.” 17 And a ( AB ) stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed regarding Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night ( AC ) fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his ( AD ) sleep fled from him.

19 Then the king got up at dawn, at the break of day, and went in a hurry to the lions’ den. 20 And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king began speaking and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has ( AE ) your God, whom you continually serve, been ( AF ) able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel spoke [ n ] to the king, “ ( AG ) O king, live forever! 22 My God ( AH ) sent His angel and ( AI ) shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, since [ o ] I was found innocent before Him; and also [ p ] toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” 23 Then the king was very glad and gave orders for Daniel to be lifted up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted up out of the den, and ( AJ ) no injury whatever was found on him, because he had ( AK ) trusted in his God. 24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had [ q ] maliciously accused Daniel, and they ( AL ) threw them, their ( AM ) children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then Darius the king wrote to all the ( AN ) peoples, nations, and populations of all [ r ] languages who were living in all the land: “ ( AO ) May your [ s ] peace be great! 26 [ t ] I ( AP ) issue a decree that in all the realm of my kingdom people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel;

For He is the ( AQ ) living God and ( AR ) enduring forever,
And ( AS ) His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed,
And His dominion will be [ u ] forever.
27 He rescues, saves, and performs ( AT ) signs and miracles
In heaven and on earth,
He who has also rescued Daniel from the [ v ] power of the lions.”

28 So this ( AU ) Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of ( AV ) Cyrus the Persian.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 6:1 Ch 6:2 in Aram
  2. Daniel 6:2 Or come to grief
  3. Daniel 6:3 Lit above
  4. Daniel 6:3 Lit there was in him
  5. Daniel 6:4 Lit the kingdom
  6. Daniel 6:6 Or as a group
  7. Daniel 6:7 Or pit , and so throughout the ch
  8. Daniel 6:8 Lit does not pass away
  9. Daniel 6:11 Or as a group
  10. Daniel 6:12 Lit does not go away
  11. Daniel 6:13 Lit sons of the exile
  12. Daniel 6:15 Or as a group
  13. Daniel 6:16 Or May your God...Himself rescue you
  14. Daniel 6:21 Lit with
  15. Daniel 6:22 Lit innocence was found for me
  16. Daniel 6:22 Lit before
  17. Daniel 6:24 Lit eaten the pieces of Daniel
  18. Daniel 6:25 Lit tongues
  19. Daniel 6:25 Or welfare ; or prosperity
  20. Daniel 6:26 Lit From me a decree is issued
  21. Daniel 6:26 Lit to the end
  22. Daniel 6:27 Lit hand

Daniel in the Den of Lions

6 [ a ] It pleased Darius ( A ) to appoint 120 satraps ( B ) to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. ( C ) The satraps were made accountable ( D ) to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. ( E ) 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges ( F ) against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” ( G )

6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! ( H ) 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors ( I ) have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. ( J ) 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” ( K ) 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward ( L ) Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees ( M ) and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. ( N ) 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. ( O ) 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” ( P )

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, ( Q ) pays no attention ( R ) to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; ( S ) he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.” ( T )

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. ( U ) The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue ( V ) you!”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed ( W ) it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating ( X ) and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. ( Y )

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” ( Z )

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! ( AA ) 22 My God sent his angel, ( AB ) and he shut the mouths of the lions. ( AC ) They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. ( AD ) Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound ( AE ) was found on him, because he had trusted ( AF ) in his God.

24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, ( AG ) along with their wives and children. ( AH ) And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. ( AI )

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language ( AJ ) in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly! ( AK )

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence ( AL ) the God of Daniel. ( AM )

“For he is the living God ( AN )
and he endures forever; ( AO )
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end. ( AP )
27 He rescues and he saves; ( AQ )
he performs signs and wonders ( AR )
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.” ( AS )

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus [ b ] ( AT ) the Persian. ( AU )

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 6:1 In Aramaic texts 6:1-28 is numbered 6:2-29.
  2. Daniel 6:28 Or Darius, that is, the reign of Cyrus
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