Thomson(i)
16 In reply to this, Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago said to the king Nabuchodonosar, We are at no loss to answer thee in respect to this matter.
17 For our God in heaven, whom we worship, is able to deliver us out of the furnace of fire which is heated, and he will deliver us, king, out of thy hands.
18 But even though he do not, be it known to thee, king, that we cannot serve thy gods, nor will we worship the image which thou hast set up.
19 At this Nabuchodonosar was filled with wrath, and the form of his countenance was changed against Sedrach, Misach and Abdenago. And he ordered to heat the furnace seven fold, till it was hot as possible:
20 and commanded some strong men to bind Sedrach, Misach and Abdenago, and cast them into the furnace of fire which was heated.
21 Then were these men bound, clad as they were with their Babylonish dress and with turbans and boots; and cast into the midst of the furnace of fire which was heated,
22 as the command of the king was peremptory. But though the furnace was heated to an excessive degree and
23 these three men, Sedrach, Misach and Abdenago fell bound into the midst of the glowing furnace, yet they walked about in the midst of the flame, praising God and blessing the Lord.
24 When Nabuchodonosar heard them singing praise he was amazed and starting up hastily said to his nobles, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? And when they said to the king, True, king,
25 the king said, Here I see four men loose and walking about in the midst of the fire unhurt: And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of a god.
26 Then Nabuchodonosar went near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and said, Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago, ye servants of the Most High God, come out and come hither. Upon which Sedrach, Misach and Abdenago came forth out of the midst of the fire.
27 And the satraps and the generals and the governors and the mighty men of the king gathered round and viewed the men with astonishment; for the fire had not had any power over their body. Even the hair of their heads was not singed, nor were their mantles changed, nor a smell of fire on them.
28 Then Nabuchodonosar the king addressing them, said, "Blessed be the God of Sedrach, Misach, Abdenago, who hath sent his angel and delivered his servants. Because they have trusted in him and have altered the king's decree and delivered up their bodies to fire that they might not serve nor worship any god, but only their own God,