Daniel 3:1-18

1King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue 90 feet high and 9 feet wide. He set it up in a recessed area in the wall  in the province of Babylon.

2King Nebuchadnezzar sent messengers to assemble the satraps, governors, mayors, military advisers, treasurers, judges, officers, and all the other provincial officials to dedicate the statue he had set up.

3Then the satraps, governors, mayors, military advisers, treasurers, judges, officers, and all the other provincial officials assembled to dedicate the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They stood in front of the statue.

4The herald called out loudly, “People of every province, nation, and language!

5When you hear the sound of rams’ horns, flutes, lyres, harps, and three-stringed harps playing at the same time with all other kinds of instruments, bow down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

6Whoever doesn’t bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

7As soon as they heard the sound of rams’ horns, flutes, lyres, harps, and three-stringed harps with all other kinds of instruments, all the people from every province, nation, and language bowed down and worshiped the gold statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8After that happened, some astrologers came forward and brought charges against the Jews.

9They addressed King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your Majesty, may you live forever!

10Your Majesty, you gave an order that everyone who hears the sound of rams’ horns, flutes, lyres, harps, and three-stringed harps playing at the same time with all other kinds of instruments should bow down and worship the gold statue.

11⌞Your order said that⌟ whoever doesn’t bow down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.

12There are certain Jews whom you appointed to govern the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men didn’t obey your order, Your Majesty. They don’t honor your gods or worship the statue that you set up.”

13Then, in a fit of rage and anger, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Immediately, they were brought to the king.

14Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you don’t honor my gods or worship the gold statue that I set up?

15When you hear the sound of the rams’ horns, flutes, lyres, harps, and three-stringed harps playing at the same time with all other kinds of instruments, will you bow down and worship the gold statue I made? If you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. What god can save you from my power then?”

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “We don’t need to answer your last question.

17If our God, whom we honor, can save us from a blazing furnace and from your power, he will, Your Majesty.

18But if he doesn’t, you should know, Your Majesty, we’ll never honor your gods or worship the gold statue that you set up.”