Daniel 6

VIN(i) 1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom throughout the realm, 2 and over them three administrators, of whom Daniel was one; that these satraps might give account to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Then Daniel began distinguishing himself above the administrators and the satraps because an exceptional spirit was in him, and so the king planned to appoint him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the other administrators and satraps began to seek to find a pretext against Daniel in connection with the kingdom, but they were not able to find any pretext and corruption because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him. 5 Then these men said, "We will not find any pretext against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God." 6 Then these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said this, "Your majesty, live forever! 7 All of the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, scribes, and governors have concluded that the king should establish and enforce an edict that anyone who prays to any god or man for the next 30 days (except to you, your majesty) shall be thrown into the lions' pit. 8 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 cannot be changed." 9 Then King Darius commanded the decree to be written. 10 When Daniel learned that the written document had been signed, he went to an upstairs room in his house that had windows opened facing Jerusalem. Three times a day he would kneel down, pray, and give thanks to his God, just as he had previously done. 11 Then these men met together and found Daniel praying and seeking mercy before his God. 12 So they approached the king and asked, "Didn't you sign an edict that for the next 30 days if anyone prays to any god or man, except to you, your majesty, he would be thrown into the lion pit?" The king responded, "The decree has been established, in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians that can't be repealed." 13 Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the Judean exiles, pays no attention to you, your majesty, or to the written decree, since he is still praying three times a day." 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly upset, because he was determined to make every effort to save Daniel before the sun set. 15 Then these men came as a group to the king and said, "Recall, O king, that with respect to the law of the Medes and Persians that any decree or edict that the king establishes cannot be changed." 16 Then the king gave orders and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. And the king said to Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually will himself 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 ring and with the signet ring of his princes that the agreement concerning Daniel might not be changed. 18 Then the king retired to his palace to spend the night fasting. He enjoyed no entertainment, and he couldn't sleep. 19 Then the king rose up in the dawn, in the daylight, and hurried to the lions' den. 20 And when he drew near to the den, he cried out with a loud voice, Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lion's mouth? 21 And Daniel said to the king, O king, live forever! 22 "My God sent his angel, and shut the lions' mouths. They did not hurt me. I was found innocent before him. I have done no wrong before you, O king." 23 The king was very happy. He commanded that they take Daniel out of the den. So Daniel was taken out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found on him, because he trusted 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 helps and delivers, and works signs and wonders in the heaven and on the earth, who has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.