Daniel 6

1It pleased DariusH1868 to set over the kingdomH4437 a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdomH4437; 2and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these satrapsH324 might give account unto them, and that the king should have no damage. 3Then this DanielH1841 was distinguished above the presidents and the satrapsH324, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the kingH4430 thought to set him over the whole realm.

4ThenH116 the presidents and the satrapsH324 sought to find occasion against DanielH1841 as touching the kingdomH4437; but they could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5ThenH116 said these men, We shall not findH7912 any occasion against this DanielH1841, except we findH7912 it against him concerningH5922 the law of his God. 6ThenH116 these presidents and satraps assembled together to the king, and saidH560 thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. 7All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satrapsH324, 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 kingH4430, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8Now, O kingH4430, establishH6966 the interdict, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, accordingH4481 to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9Wherefore kingH4430 Darius signedH7560 the writing and the interdict.

10And when Daniel knew that the writing was signedH7560, 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. 11Then these men assembled together, and found DanielH1841 makingH3046 petition and supplication before his GodH426. 12ThenH116 they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s interdict: Hast thou not signed an interdict, that every manH1400 that shall make petition unto any godH426 or manH1400 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. 13ThenH116 answered they and saidH560 before the kingH4430, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O kingH4430, nor the interdict that thou hast signedH7560, but maketh his petition three times a dayH3118. 14ThenH116 the kingH4430, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and setH7761 his heart on DanielH1841 to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue him. 15ThenH116 these men assembled together unto the kingH4430, and said unto the kingH4430, Know, O kingH4430, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no interdict nor statute which the kingH4430 establisheth may be changed.

16ThenH116 the kingH4430 commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the kingH4430 spake and saidH560 unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17And a stone was broughtH858, and laid upon the mouth of the denH1358; and the kingH4430 sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning DanielH1841. 18Then the kingH4430 went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music broughtH858 before him: and his sleep fled from him.

19ThenH116 the kingH4430 arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20And when he came near unto the denH1358 to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the kingH4430 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 lionsH744? 21Then saidH560 DanielH1841 unto the kingH4430, O kingH4430, live for ever. 22My 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 kingH4430, have I done no hurt. 23Then was the kingH4430 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 foundH7912 upon him, because he had trusted in his GodH426.

24And the kingH4430 commanded, and they brought those men that had accused DanielH1841, and they cast them into the denH1358 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 denH1358.

25Then kingH4430 Darius wrote unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you. 26I 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. 27He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered DanielH1841 from the power of the lions.

28So this DanielH1841 prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.