8
Now, O king, establish
the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law
of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9 Wherefore king Darius signed
the writing and the decree. 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was
signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber
toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and
gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
11 Then these men
assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12
Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree;
Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any
God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den
of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law
of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then answered they and said
before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of
Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but
maketh his petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard these
words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver
him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then
these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that
the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king
establisheth may be changed. 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought
Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto
Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17 And a
stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it
with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might
not be changed concerning Daniel.
18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were
instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him. 19 Then
the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of
lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto
Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living
God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the
lions?21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live
for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that
they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and
also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23 Then was the king exceeding
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 manner of hurt was found upon him,
because he believed in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and they brought
those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions,
them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them,
and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
25 Then king Darius
wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth;
Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my
kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living
God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27 He delivereth and rescueth, and
he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel
from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of
Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.