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 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.

---

¹ It pleased ^{H6925 H8232} Darius ^H1868 to set ^H6966 over ^H5922 the kingdom ^H4437 an hundred ^H3969 and twenty ^H6243 princes, ^H324 which should be ^H1934 over the whole ^H3606 kingdom; ^H4437

² And over ^H5924 these ^H4481 three ^H8532 presidents; ^H5632 of whom ^H4481 Daniel ^H1841 was first: ^H2298 that ^H459 the princes ^H324 might ^H1934 give ^H3052 accounts ^H2941 unto them, and the king ^H4430 should have ^H1934 no ^H3809 damage. ^H5142

³ Then ^H116 this ^H1836 Daniel ^H1841 was ^H1934 preferred ^H5330 above ^H5922 the presidents ^H5632 and princes, ^H324 because ^{H3606 H6903} an excellent ^H3493 spirit ^H7308 was in him; and the king ^H4430 thought ^H6246 to set ^H6966 him over ^H5922 the whole ^H3606 realm. ^H4437

⁴ Then ^H116 the presidents ^H5632 and princes ^H324 sought ^{H1934 H1156} to find ^H7912 occasion ^H5931 against Daniel ^H1841 concerning ^H6655 the kingdom; ^H4437 but ^H3606 they could ^H3202 find ^H7912 none ^H3809 occasion ^H5931 nor ^H3809 fault; ^H7844 forasmuch ^H6903 as he was faithful, ^H540 neither ^H3809 was there any ^H3606 error ^H7960 or fault ^H7844 found ^H7912 in him. ^H5922

⁵ Then ^H116 said ^H560 these ^H479 men, ^H1400 We shall not ^H3809 find ^H7912 any ^H3606 occasion ^H5931 against ^H5922 this ^H1836 Daniel, ^H1841 except ^H3861 we find ^H7912 it against him concerning the law ^H1882 of his God. ^H426

⁶ Then ^H116 these ^H459 presidents ^H5632 and princes ^H324 assembled together ^H7284 to the king, ^H4430 and said ^H560 thus ^H3652 unto him, ^H5922 King ^H4430 Darius, ^H1868 live ^H2418 for ever. ^H5957

⁷ All ^H3606 the presidents ^H5632 of the kingdom, ^H4437 the governors, ^H5460 and the princes, ^H324 the counsellors, ^H1907 and the captains, ^H6347 have consulted together ^H3272 to establish ^H6966 a royal ^H4430 statute, ^H7010 and to make a firm ^H8631 decree, ^H633 that whosoever shall ask ^H1156 a petition ^H1159 of ^H4481 any ^H3606 God ^H426 or man ^H606 for ^H5705 thirty ^H8533 days, ^H3118 save ^H3861 of thee, ^H4481 O king, ^H4430 he shall be cast ^H7412 into the den ^H1358 of lions. ^H744

⁸ Now, ^H3705 O king, ^H4430 establish ^H6966 the decree, ^H633 and sign ^H7560 the writing, ^H3792 that it be not ^H3809 changed, ^H8133 according to the law ^H1882 of the Medes ^H4076 and Persians, ^H6540 which altereth ^H5709 not. ^H3809

⁹ Wherefore ^{H3606 H1836 H6903} king ^H4430 Darius ^H1868 signed ^H7560 the writing ^H3792 and the decree. ^H633

¹⁰ Now when Daniel ^H1841 knew ^H3046 that the writing ^H3792 was signed, ^H7560 he went ^H5954 into his house; ^H1005 and his windows ^H3551 being open ^H6606 in his chamber ^H5952 toward ^H5049 Jerusalem, ^H3390 he kneeled ^H1289 upon ^H5922 his knees ^H1291 three ^H8532 times ^H2166 a day, ^H3118 and prayed, ^H6739 and gave thanks ^H3029 before ^H6925 his God, ^H426 as ^{H6903 H3606} he did ^{H1934 H5648} aforetime. ^{H4481 H1836 H6928}

¹¹ Then ^H116 these ^H479 men ^H1400 assembled, ^H7284 and found ^H7912 Daniel ^H1841 praying ^H1156 and making supplication ^H2604 before ^H6925 his God. ^H426

¹² Then ^H116 they came near, ^H7127 and spake ^H560 before ^H6925 the king ^H4430 concerning ^H5922 the king's ^H4430 decree; ^H633 Hast thou not ^H3809 signed ^H7560 a decree, ^H633 that every ^H3606 man ^H606 that shall ask ^H1156 a petition of ^H4481 any ^H3606 God ^H426 or man ^H606 within ^H5705 thirty ^H8533 days, ^H3118 save ^H3861 of thee, ^H4481 O king, ^H4430 shall be cast ^H7412 into the den ^H1358 of lions? ^H744 The king ^H4430 answered ^H6032 and said, ^H560 The thing ^H4406 is true, ^H3330 according to the law ^H1882 of the Medes ^H4076 and Persians, ^H6540 which altereth ^H5709 not. ^H3809

¹³ Then ^H116 answered ^H6032 they and said ^H560 before ^H6925 the king, ^H4430 That Daniel, ^H1841 which is of ^H4481 the children ^H1123 of the captivity ^H1547 of Judah, ^H3061 regardeth ^{H7761 H2942} not ^H3809 thee, ^H5922 O king, ^H4430 nor the decree ^H633 that thou hast signed, ^H7560 but maketh ^H1156 his petition ^H1159 three ^H8532 times ^H2166 a day. ^H3118

¹⁴ Then ^H116 the king, ^H4430 when he heard ^H8086 these words, ^H4406 was sore ^H7690 displeased ^H888 with himself, and set ^H7761 his heart ^H1079 on ^H5922 Daniel ^H1841 to deliver ^H7804 him: and he laboured ^{H1934 H7712} till ^H5705 the going down ^H4606 of the sun ^H8122 to deliver ^H5338 him.

¹⁵ Then ^H116 these ^H479 men ^H1400 assembled ^H7284 unto ^H5922 the king, ^H4430 and said ^H560 unto the king, ^H4430 Know, ^H3046 O king, ^H4430 that the law ^H1882 of the Medes ^H4076 and Persians ^H6540 is, That no ^H3606 decree ^H633 nor statute ^H7010 which the king ^H4430 establisheth ^H6966 may be changed. ^H8133

¹⁶ Then ^H116 the king ^H4430 commanded, ^H560 and they brought ^H858 Daniel, ^H1841 and cast ^H7412 him into the den ^H1358 of lions. ^H744 Now the king ^H4430 spake ^H6032 and said ^H560 unto Daniel, ^H1841 Thy God ^H426 whom thou ^H607 servest ^H6399 continually, ^H8411 he will deliver ^H7804 thee.

¹⁷ And a ^H2298 stone ^H69 was brought, ^H858 and laid ^H7761 upon ^H5922 the mouth ^H6433 of the den; ^H1358 and the king ^H4430 sealed ^H2857 it with his own signet, ^H5824 and with the signet ^H5824 of his lords; ^H7261 that the purpose ^H6640 might not ^H3809 be changed ^H8133 concerning Daniel. ^H1841

¹⁸ Then ^H116 the king ^H4430 went ^H236 to his palace, ^H1965 and passed the night ^H956 fasting: ^H2908 neither ^H3809 were instruments ^H1761 of musick brought ^H5954 before ^H6925 him: and his sleep ^H8139 went ^H5075 from him. ^H5922

¹⁹ Then ^H116 the king ^H4430 arose ^H6966 very early ^H8238 in the morning, ^H5053 and went ^H236 in haste ^H927 unto the den ^H1358 of lions. ^H744

²⁰ And when he came ^H7127 to the den, ^H1358 he cried ^H2200 with a lamentable ^H6088 voice ^H7032 unto Daniel: ^H1841 and the king ^H4430 spake ^H6032 and said ^H560 to Daniel, ^H1841 O Daniel, ^H1841 servant ^H5649 of the living ^H2417 God, ^H426 is thy God, ^H426 whom thou servest ^H6399 continually, ^H8411 able ^H3202 to deliver ^H7804 thee from ^H4481 the lions? ^H744

²¹ Then ^H116 said ^H4449 Daniel ^H1841 unto ^H5974 the king, ^H4430 O king, ^H4430 live ^H2418 for ever. ^H5957

²² My God ^H426 hath sent ^H7972 his angel, ^H4398 and hath shut ^H5463 the lions' ^H744 mouths, ^H6433 that they have not ^H3809 hurt ^H2255 me: forasmuch as ^{H3606 H6903} before ^H6925 him innocency ^H2136 was found ^H7912 in me; and also ^H638 before ^H6925 thee, O king, ^H4430 have I done ^H5648 no ^H3809 hurt. ^H2248

²³ Then ^H116 was the king ^H4430 exceeding ^H7690 glad ^H2868 for him, ^H5922 and commanded ^H560 that they should take ^H5267 Daniel ^H1841 up ^H5267 out of ^H4481 the den. ^H1358 So Daniel ^H1841 was taken up ^H5267 out of ^H4481 the den, ^H1358 and no ^H3809 manner ^H3606 of hurt ^H2257 was found ^H7912 upon him, because he believed ^H540 in his God. ^H426

²⁴ And the king ^H4430 commanded, ^H560 and they brought ^H858 those ^H479 men ^H1400 which had accused ^{H399 H7170} Daniel, ^H1841 and they cast ^H7412 them into the den ^H1358 of lions, ^H744 them, ^H581 their children, ^H1123 and their wives; ^H5389 and the lions ^H744 had the mastery ^{H5705 H7981} of them, and brake ^H1855 all ^H3606 their bones ^H1635 in pieces ^H1855 or ever ^H3809 they came ^H4291 at the bottom ^H773 of the den. ^H1358

²⁵ Then ^H116 king ^H4430 Darius ^H1868 wrote ^H3790 unto all ^H3606 people, ^H5972 nations, ^H524 and languages, ^H3961 that dwell ^H1753 in all ^H3606 the earth; ^H772 Peace ^H8001 be multiplied ^H7680 unto you.

²⁶ I ^{H4481 H6925} make ^H7761 a decree, ^H2942 That in every ^H3606 dominion ^H7985 of my kingdom ^H4437 men tremble ^{H1934 H2112} and fear ^H1763 before ^{H4481 H6925} the God ^H426 of Daniel: ^H1841 for he is the living ^H2417 God, ^H426 and stedfast ^H7011 for ever, ^H5957 and his kingdom ^H4437 that which shall not ^H3809 be destroyed, ^H2255 and his dominion ^H7985 shall be even unto ^H5705 the end. ^H5491

²⁷ He delivereth ^H7804 and rescueth, ^H5338 and he worketh ^H5648 signs ^H852 and wonders ^H8540 in heaven ^H8065 and in earth, ^H772 who hath delivered ^H7804 Daniel ^H1841 from ^H4481 the power ^H3028 of the lions. ^H744

²⁸ So this ^H1836 Daniel ^H1841 prospered ^H6744 in the reign ^H4437 of Darius, ^H1868 and in the reign ^H4437 of Cyrus ^H3567 the Persian. ^H6543

---

¹ It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom;

² and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these satraps might give account unto them, and that the king should have no damage.

³ Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

⁴ Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no 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 satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

⁷ All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, 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 interdict, 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 interdict.

¹⁰ And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem) and 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 together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.

¹² Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's interdict: Hast thou not signed an interdict, that every man that shall make petition unto any god or man within thirty days, save unto 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, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the interdict that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

¹⁴ Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue him.

¹⁵ Then these men assembled together unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no interdict 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 nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

¹⁸ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep fled 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 near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; 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, and 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, 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 had trusted in his God.

²⁴ And the king commanded, and they brought those men that 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, before they came to the bottom of the den.

²⁵ Then king Darius wrote unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you.

²⁶ I make a decree, that in all the 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.

---

¹ It hath been good before Darius, and he hath established over the kingdom satraps -- a hundred and twenty -- that they may be throughout the whole kingdom,

² and higher than they three presidents, of whom Daniel `is' first, that these satraps may give to them an account, and the king have no loss.

³ Then this Daniel hath been overseer over the presidents and satraps, because that an excellent spirit `is' in him, and the king hath thought to establish him over the whole kingdom.

⁴ Then the presidents and satraps have been seeking to find a cause of complaint against Daniel concerning the kingdom, and any cause of complaint and corruption they are not able to find, because that he `is' faithful, and any error and corruption have not been found in him.

⁵ Then these men are saying, `We do not find against this Daniel any cause of complaint, except we have found `it' against him in the law of his God.'

⁶ Then these presidents and satraps have assembled near the king, and thus they are saying to him: `O king Darius, to the ages live!

⁷ Taken counsel have all the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects, and the satraps, the counsellors, and the governors, to establish a royal statute, and to strengthen an interdict, that any who seeketh a petition from any god and man until thirty days, save of thee, O king, is cast into a den of lions.

⁸ Now, O king, thou dost establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it is not to be changed, as a law of Media and Persia, that doth not pass away.'

⁹ Therefore king Darius hath signed the writing and interdict.

¹⁰ And Daniel, when he hath known that the writing is signed, hath gone up to his house, and the window being opened for him, in his upper chamber, over-against Jerusalem, three times in a day he is kneeling on his knees, and praying, and confessing before his God, because that he was doing `it' before this.

¹¹ Then these men have assembled, and found Daniel praying and entreating grace before his God;

¹² then they have come near, yea, they are saying before the king concerning the king's interdict: `Hast thou not signed an interdict, that any man who seeketh from any god and man until thirty days, save of thee, O king, is cast into a den of lions?' Answered hath the king, and said, `The thing `is' certain as a law of Media and Persia, that doth not pass away.'

¹³ Then they have answered, yea, they are saying before the king, that, `Daniel, who `is' of the sons of the Removed of Judah, hath not placed on thee, O king, `any' regard, nor on the interdict that thou hast signed, and three times in a day he is seeking his petition.'

¹⁴ Then the king, when he hath heard the matter, is greatly displeased at himself, and on Daniel he hath set the heart to deliver him, and till the going up of the sun he was arranging to deliver him.

¹⁵ Then these men have assembled near the king, and are saying to the king, `know, O king, that the law of Media and Persia `is': That any interdict and statute that the king doth establish is not to be changed.'

¹⁶ Then the king hath said, and they have brought Daniel, and have cast `him' into a den of lions. The king hath answered and said to Daniel, `Thy God, whom thou art serving continually, Himself doth deliver thee.'

¹⁷ And a stone hath been brought and placed at the mouth of the den, and the king hath sealed it with his signet, and with the signet of his great men, that the purpose be not changed concerning Daniel.

¹⁸ Then hath the king gone to his palace, and he hath passed the night fasting, and dahavan have not been brought up before him, and his sleep hath fled `from' off him.

¹⁹ Then doth the king rise in the early morning, at the light, and in haste to the den of lions he hath gone;

²⁰ and at his coming near to the den, to Daniel, with a grieved voice, he crieth. The king hath answered and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, thy God, whom thou art serving continually, is He able to deliver thee from the lions?'

²¹ Then Daniel hath spoken with the king: `O king, to the ages live:

²² my God hath sent His messenger, and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not injured me: because that before Him purity hath been found in me; and also before thee, O king, injury I have not done.'

²³ Then was the king very glad for him, and he hath commanded Daniel to be taken up out of the den, and Daniel hath been taken up out of the den, and no injury hath been found in him, because he hath believed in his God.

²⁴ And the king hath said, and they have brought those men who had accused Daniel, and to the den of lions they have cast them, they, their sons, and their wives; and they have not come to the lower part of the den till that the lions have power over them, and all their bones they have broken small.

²⁵ Then Darius the king hath written to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who are dwelling in all the land: `Your peace be great!

²⁶ From before me is made a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom they are trembling and fearing before the God of Daniel, for He `is' the living God, and abiding to the ages, and His kingdom that which `is' not destroyed, and His dominion `is' unto the end.

²⁷ A deliverer, and rescuer, and doer of signs and wonders in the heavens and in earth `is' He who hath delivered Daniel from the paw of the lions.'

²⁸ And this Daniel hath prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

---

¹ It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be in all the kingdom;

² and over these, three presidents -- of whom Daniel was one -- to whom these satraps should render account, and that the king should suffer no loss.

³ Now this Daniel surpassed the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to appoint him over the whole realm.

⁴ Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a pretext against Daniel with respect to the kingdom; but they could not find any pretext or fault; inasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

⁵ Then said these men, We shall not find any pretext against this Daniel, unless we find [it] against him touching the law of his God.

⁶ Then these presidents and satraps came in a body to the king, and said thus unto him: King Darius, live for ever!

⁷ All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects, and the satraps, the counsellors, and the governors 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, except 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 may not be revoked.

⁹ Therefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

¹⁰ And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and, his windows being open in his upper chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

¹¹ But those men came in a body, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

¹² Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king's decree: Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask [anything] of any god or man within thirty days, except 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 may not be revoked.

¹³ Then they answered and said before the king, That Daniel, who 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 distressed thereby, and set his heart on Daniel to save him; and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

¹⁵ Then these men came in a body 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. The king spoke and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will save 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 nobles, that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

¹⁸ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were concubines brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.

¹⁹ Then the king arose with the light at break of day, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

²⁰ And when he came near unto the den, he cried with a mournful voice unto Daniel: the king spoke and said unto Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, hath thy God whom thou servest continually been able to save thee from the lions?

²¹ Then Daniel spoke 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 innocence was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

²³ Thereupon was the king exceeding glad, 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 who had accused Daniel, and cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and broke all their bones in pieces ere they came to the bottom of the den.

²⁵ Then king Darius wrote unto all peoples, 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 steadfast for ever, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

²⁷ He saveth and delivereth, and he worketh signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth: who hath saved Daniel from the power of the lions.

²⁸ And this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

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¹ It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom;

² and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these satraps might give account to them, and that the king should have no damage.

³ Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

⁴ Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, because 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 satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus to him, King Darius, live forever.

⁷ All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

⁸ Now, O king, establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter.

⁹ Therefore king Darius signed the writing and the interdict.

¹⁰ When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.

¹¹ Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.

¹² Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king's interdict: Haven't you signed an interdict, that every man who shall make petition to any god or man within thirty days, save to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter.

¹³ Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesn't regard you, O king, nor the interdict that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.

¹⁴ Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him.

¹⁵ Then these men assembled together to the king, and said to the king, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no interdict nor statute which the king establishes may be changed.

¹⁶ Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. [Now] the king spoke and said to Daniel, Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.

¹⁷ 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.

¹⁸ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep fled from him.

¹⁹ Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions.

²⁰ When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spoke and said to Daniel, Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?

²¹ Then said Daniel to the king, O king, live forever.

²² My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; because as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, have I done no hurt.

²³ Then was the king exceeding glad, 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 on him, because he had trusted in his God.

²⁴ 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 had the mastery of them, and broke all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.

²⁵ Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.

²⁶ I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even to the end.

²⁷ He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has 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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¹ And Darius the Mede took the kingdom, being then about sixty-two years old.

² Darius was pleased to put over the kingdom a hundred and twenty captains, who were to be all through the kingdom;

³ And over them were three chief rulers, of whom Daniel was one; and the captains were to be responsible to the chief rulers, so that the king might undergo no loss.

⁴ Then this Daniel did his work better than the chief rulers and the captains, because there was a special spirit in him; and it was the king's purpose to put him over all the kingdom.

⁵ Then the chief rulers and the captains were looking for some cause for putting Daniel in the wrong in connection with the kingdom, but they were unable to put forward any wrongdoing or error against him; because he was true, and no error or wrong was to be seen in him.

⁶ Then these men said, We will only get a reason for attacking Daniel in connection with the law of his God.

⁷ Then these chief rulers and the captains came to the king and said to him, O King Darius, have life for ever.

⁸ All the chief rulers of the kingdom, the chiefs and the captains, the wise men and the rulers, have made a common decision to put in force a law having the king's authority, and to give a strong order, that whoever makes any request to any god or man but you, O King, for thirty days, is to be put into the lions' hole.

⁹ Now, O King, put the order in force, signing the writing so that it may not be changed, like the law of the Medes and Persians which may not come to an end.

¹⁰ For this reason King Darius put his name on the writing and the order.

¹¹ And Daniel, on hearing that the writing had been signed, went into his house; (now he had windows in his room on the roof opening in the direction of Jerusalem;) and three times a day he went down on his knees in prayer and praise before his God, as he had done before.

¹² Then these men were watching and saw Daniel making prayers and requesting grace before his God.

¹³ Then they came near before the king and said, O King, have you not put your name to an order that any man who makes a request to any god or man but you, O King, for thirty days, is to be put into the lions' hole? The king made answer and said, The thing is fixed by the law of the Medes and Persians which may not come to an end.

¹⁴ Then they made answer and said before the king, Daniel, one of the prisoners of Judah, has no respect for you, O King, or for the order signed by you, but three times a day he makes his prayer to God.

¹⁵ When this thing came to the king's ears, it was very evil to him, and his heart was fixed on keeping Daniel safe, and till the going down of the sun he was doing everything in his power to get him free.

¹⁶ Then these men said to the king, Be certain, O King, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no order or law which the king has put into force may be changed.

¹⁷ Then the king gave the order, and they took Daniel and put him into the lions' hole. The king made answer and said to Daniel, Your God, whose servant you are at all times, will keep you safe.

¹⁸ Then they got a stone and put it over the mouth of the hole, and it was stamped with the king's stamp and with the stamp of the lords, so that the decision about Daniel might not be changed.

¹⁹ Then the king went to his great house, and took no food that night, and no ... were placed before him, and his sleep went from him.

²⁰ Then very early in the morning the king got up and went quickly to the lions' hole.

²¹ And when he came near the hole where Daniel was, he gave a loud cry of grief; the king made answer and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whose servant you are at all times, able to keep you safe from the lions?

²² Then Daniel said to the king, O King, have life for ever.

²³ My God has sent his angel to keep the lions' mouths shut, and they have done me no damage: because I was seen to be without sin before him; and further, before you, O King, I have done no wrong.

²⁴ Then the king was very glad, and gave orders for them to take Daniel up out of the hole. So Daniel was taken up out of the hole and he was seen to be untouched, because he had faith in his God.

²⁵ And at the king's order, they took those men who had said evil against Daniel, and put them in the lions' hole, with their wives and their children; and they had not got to the floor of the hole before the lions overcame them and all their bones were broken.

²⁶ Then King Darius sent a letter to all the peoples, nations, and languages, living in all the earth: May your peace be increased.

²⁷ It is my order that in all the kingdom of which I am ruler, men are to be shaking with fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, unchanging for ever, and his kingdom is one which will never come to destruction, his rule will go on to the end.

²⁸ He gives salvation and makes men free from danger, and does signs and wonders in heaven and earth, who has kept Daniel safe from the power of the lions.