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 24 The king then gave the command, and those men who had maliciously accused DanielE,ac were brought and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives.ad They had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

DARIUS HONORS GOD

25 Then King Darius wrote to those of every people, nation, and language who live on the whole earth: “May your prosperity abound.ae 26 I issue a decreeaf that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel:ag

For he is the living God,

and he endures forever;

his kingdom will never be destroyed,ah

and his dominion has no end.

27 He rescues and delivers;

he performs signs and wonders

in the heavens and on the earth,a

for he has rescued Daniel

from the power of the lions.”

28 So Daniel prosperedb during the reign of Darius andA the reign of Cyrus the Persian.c