Daniel 6:17–28

17 nThen a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, oand the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

Daniel Saved from the Lions

18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no 6musicians were brought before him. pAlso his sleep 7went from him. 19 Then the qking arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a 8lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, rhas your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

21 Then Daniel said to the king, s“O king, live forever! 22 tMy God sent His angel and ushut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, vbecause he believed in his God.

Darius Honors God

24 And the king gave the command, wand they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, xtheir children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

25 yThen King Darius wrote:

To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

26 zI make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must atremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

bFor He is the living God,

And steadfast forever;

His kingdom is the one which shall not be cdestroyed,

And His dominion shall endure to the end.

27 He delivers and rescues,

dAnd He works signs and wonders

In heaven and on earth,

Who has delivered Daniel from the 9power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius eand in the reign of fCyrus the Persian.