Daniel 3:1-23

Daniel 3:1-23

[1] Nebuchadnezzar  the king  made  an image  of gold,  whose height  was threescore  cubits,  and the breadth  thereof six  cubits:  he set it up  in the plain  of Dura,  in the province  of Babylon.  [2] Then Nebuchadnezzar  the king  sent  to gather together  the princes,  the governors,  and the captains,  the judges,  the treasurers,  the counsellors,  the sheriffs,  and all  the rulers  of the provinces,  to come  to the dedication  of the image  which Nebuchadnezzar  the king  had set up.  [3] Then  the princes,  the governors,  and captains,  the judges,  the treasurers,  the counsellors,  the sheriffs,  and all  the rulers  of the provinces,  were gathered together  unto the dedication  of the image  that Nebuchadnezzar  the king  had set up;  before  the image  that Nebuchadnezzar  had set up.  [4] Then an herald  cried  aloud,  To you it is commanded,  O people,  nations,  and languages,  [5] That at what time  ye hear  the sound  of the cornet,  flute,  harp,  sackbut,  psaltery,  dulcimer,  and all  kinds  of musick,  ye fall down  and worship  the golden  image  that Nebuchadnezzar  the king  hath set up:  [6] And whoso  not  down  and worshippeth  shall the same hour  be cast  into the midst  of a burning  fiery  furnace.  [7] Therefore  at that time,  when  all  the people  heard  the sound  of the cornet,  flute,  harp,  sackbut,  psaltery,  and all  kinds  of musick,  all  the people,  the nations,  and the languages,  fell down  and worshipped  the golden  image  that Nebuchadnezzar  the king  had set up.  [8] Wherefore  at that  time  certain  Chaldeans  came near,  and accused  the Jews.  [9] They spake  and said  to the king  Nebuchadnezzar,  O king,  live  for ever.  [10] Thou,  O king,  hast made  a decree,  that every  man  that shall hear  the sound  of the cornet,  flute,  harp,  sackbut,  psaltery,  and dulcimer,  and all  kinds  of musick,  shall fall down  and worship  the golden  image:  [11] And whoso  not  down  and worshippeth,  that he should be cast  into the midst  of a burning  fiery  furnace.  [12] There are  certain  Jews  whom  thou hast set  over  the affairs  of the province  of Babylon,  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abednego;  these  men,  O king,  have  not  regarded  thee:  they serve  not  thy gods,  nor  worship  the golden  image  which thou hast set up.  [13] Then  Nebuchadnezzar  in his rage  and fury  commanded  to bring  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abednego.  Then  they brought  these  men  before  the king.  [14] Nebuchadnezzar  spake  and said  unto them, Is it true,  O Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abednego,  do not  ye  serve  my gods,  nor  worship  the golden  image  which I have set  up? [15] Now  if  ye be  ready  that at what time  ye hear  the sound  of the cornet,  flute,  harp,  sackbut,  psaltery,  and dulcimer,  and all  kinds  of musick,  ye fall down  and worship  the image  which I have made;  well: but if  ye worship  not,  ye shall be cast  the same hour  into the midst  of a burning  fiery  furnace;  and who  is that God  that shall deliver  you out of  my hands?  [16] Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abednego,  answered  and said  to the king,  O Nebuchadnezzar,  we  are not  careful  to answer  thee in  this  matter.  [17] If  it be so, our God  whom we  serve  is  able  to deliver  us from  the burning  fiery  furnace,  he will deliver  us out of  thine hand,  O king.  [18] But if  not,  be it  known  unto thee, O king,  that we will  not  serve  thy gods,  nor  worship  the golden  image  which thou hast set up.  [19] Then  was Nebuchadnezzar  full  of fury,  and the form  of his visage  was changed  against  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abednego:  therefore he spake,  and commanded  that they should heat  the furnace  one  seven times  more  than  it was wont  to be heated.  [20] And he commanded  the most  mighty  men  that were in his army  to bind  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abednego,  and to cast  them into the burning  fiery  furnace.  [21] Then  these  men  were bound  in their coats,  their hosen,  and their hats,  and their other garments,  and were cast  into the midst  of the burning  fiery  furnace.  [22] Therefore  because  the king's  commandment  was urgent,  and the furnace  exceeding  hot,  the flame  of the fire  slew  those  men  that took up  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abednego.  [23] And these  three  men,  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abednego,  fell down  bound  into the midst  of the burning  fiery  furnace.