²⁴ Then the king had those men brought to him who had spoken against Daniel. And they threw them with their wives and children into the hole with the lions. Even before they hit the bottom of the hole, the lions went after them and crushed all their bones.

²⁵ Then King Darius wrote to all the people of every nation and language who were living on the earth. He wrote, “May you have much peace! ²⁶ I make a law that all those under my rule are to fear and shake before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and He lives forever. His nation will never be destroyed and His rule will last forever.