¹⁴ and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods^(A) or worship the image^(B) of gold I have set up?

¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver^(A) us from it, and he will deliver^(B) us^[a] from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.^(C)”

²⁸ Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel^(A) and rescued^(B) his servants! They trusted^(C) in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.^(D)

¹⁷ A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed^(A) it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed.

²¹ Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!^(A)