Daniel 6

1. It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, that they might be over the whole kingdom.

2. And over them were three presidents (Daniel was one of them), so that these satraps might give account to them, and the king should not suffer loss.

3. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the presidents and satraps because a surpassing spirit was in him. And the king was planning to set him over all the kingdom.

4. Then the presidents and rulers sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom. But they could find no occasion or fault because he was faithful. Neither was there any error or fault found in him.

5. Then these men said, “We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

6. Then these presidents and rulers assembled to the king, and said this to him: “King Darius, live forever.

7. All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects, and the satraps, and the officials and governors, have consulted together that the king establish a statute, and to make a strong decree, that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except from you, O king, he shall be thrown into the den of lions.

8. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians which cannot be revoked.”

9. Therefore King Darius signed the writing and the decree.

10. And when he had learned that the document was signed, Daniel went to his house. And his windows were open in his upper room toward Jerusalem; and he kneeled on his knees three times a day and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.

11. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.

12. Then they came near and spoke before the king concerning the king’s decree. “Have you not signed a decree that every man who shall ask a petition of any god or man within thirty days, except of you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.”

13. Then they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is of the exiled children of Judah, has not respected you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his prayer three times a day.”

14. Then the king, when he heard these words, was very much displeased with himself. And he set his heart on Daniel to deliver him. And he labored until sundown to deliver him.

15. Then these men met before the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be revoked.”

16. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God, Whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”

17. And a stone was brought and laid on 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 spent the night fasting. And instruments of music were not brought before him, and his sleep fled from him.

19. Then the king arose very early in the morning and hurried to the lions’ den.

20. And when he came near the den, he cried with a grieved voice to Daniel. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God Whom you serve continually able to deliver you from the lions?”

21. Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever.

22. My God has sent His angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me because before Him innocency was found in me. And also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

23. Then 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 manner of injury was found on him because he trusted in his God.

24. And the king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they threw them into the lions’ den—them, their sons, and their wives. And the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces before they even came to the bottom of the den.

25. Then King Darius wrote to all people, nations, and languages who dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you.

26. I make a decree that, in all the domain of my kingdom, men must fear and tremble before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God and endures forever, and His kingdom is that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be to the end.

27. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth, He Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

28. And this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.