16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.u The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve,v rescue you!” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den.w The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting.x No diversionsC were brought to him, and he could not sleep.y

DANIEL RELEASED

19 At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. “Daniel, servant of the living God,” the king said,D “has your God, whom you continually serve, been able to rescue youz from the lions?”

21 Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever. 22 My God sent his angelaa and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to take Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was brought up from the den, he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted in his God.ab