8 ⌊Therefore⌋m ⌊at this time⌋n some ⌊astrologers⌋o came forward and ⌊they denounced the Jews⌋.p 9 ⌊They responded and said⌋q to Nebuchadnezzar the king, “O king, may you live ⌊forever⌋!r 10 You, O king, have made a decree that ⌊everyone⌋s who hears the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the trigon, the harp and the drum and all kinds of music, he shall fall down and shall worship the statue of gold.t 11 ⌊And whoever⌋u ⌊does not fall down⌋v and worship shall be thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. 12 However there are Judean men whom you have appointedw over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—these men, O king, ⌊pay you no heed⌋x and were not serving your god, and the statue of goldy that you set up they are not worshiping.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar said in rage and anger to bring in Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; then they brought in these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you are not serving my god, and you are not worshiping the statue of goldz that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready so that ⌊when⌋a you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the trigon, the harp and the drum and all kinds of music, you fall down and you worship the statue that I have made, that will be good. But if you do not worship it, ⌊immediately⌋b you will be thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire, and ⌊who is the god⌋c whod will rescue you from my hands?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered and said to the king, Nebuchadnezzar, “We have no need on this matter ⌊to present a defense to you⌋.e 17 ⌊If it is so⌋,f our God, whom we serve, is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire. And from your hand, O king, let him rescue us. 18 And if not, let it be known to you, O king, that ⌊we will not serve your gods⌋,g and the statue of goldh that you have set up we will not worship.”