¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you don’t serve my gods or worship the gold statue^(A) I have set up?

¹⁷ If the God we serve exists,^(A) then he can rescue^(B) us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can^[a] rescue us from the power of you, the king. ¹⁸ But even if he does not rescue us,^[b] we want you as king to know that we will not serve^(C) your gods^(D) or worship the gold statue you set up.”

²⁸ Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel^[a](A) and rescued his servants who trusted in him.^(B) They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.^(C)

¹⁷ A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den.^(A) The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed.

²¹ Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever.

²⁷ The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom,^(A) and all rulers will serve and obey him.’