DanielChapter 6
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1Darius decided to choose 120 satraps to rule all over the kingdom. 2Over them he put three leaders. Daniel was one of them. The satraps had to report to these leaders. That way the king would not lose anything. 3Daniel had an amazing spirit. Soon he stood out above the other leaders and the satraps. So the king planned to put him in charge of the whole kingdom. 4So the leaders and satraps looked for a reason to accuse Daniel about how he ran the kingdom. But they couldn't find anything wrong or dishonest, because he could be trusted. He was never careless or dishonest. 5At last these men said, "We'll never find a reason to accuse this Daniel. The only way is to find something to do with the law of his God." 6So the leaders and satraps went together to the king. They said, "King Darius, may you live forever! 7All the royal leaders, high officials, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed. The king should make a new law and make sure it's obeyed. For thirty days, no one may pray to any god or person except you, O king. Anyone who does will be thrown into the lions' den. 8So now, O king, make this law. Sign it in writing so it can't be changed. That's the law of the Medes and Persians. Their laws can't be canceled." 9So King Darius signed the law in writing. 10Daniel found out that the law had been signed. Then he went home to his upstairs room. Its windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees. He prayed and gave thanks to his God, just as he had always done. 11Then these men went together and found Daniel. He was praying and asking his God for help. 12So they went to the king and asked him about his law. "Didn't you sign a law about praying? It says that for thirty days no one may pray to any god or person except you, O king. If they do, they'll be thrown into the lions' den." The king answered, "Yes, that order stands. It's the law of the Medes and Persians, and it can't be canceled." 13Then they told the king, "Daniel is one of the captives from Judah. He pays no attention to you, O king. He ignores the law you signed. He still prays three times a day." 14When the king heard this, he was very upset. He made up his mind to save Daniel. He worked until sunset to find a way to rescue him. 15Then the men went together to the king. They said, "Remember, O king, the law of the Medes and Persians. No law or order that the king makes can be changed." 16So the king gave the order. They brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "You serve your God all the time. May he save you!" 17A stone was brought and put over the opening of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring. He also sealed it with the rings of his nobles. That way, no one could change what was happening to Daniel. 18Then the king went back to his palace. He didn't eat anything all night. He didn't let anyone entertain him. And he couldn't sleep. 19At the first light of morning, the king got up. He hurried to the lions' den. 20When he got near the den, he called out to Daniel. His voice was full of pain. "Daniel, servant of the living God! You serve your God all the time. Was he able to save you from the lions?" 21Then Daniel answered, "O king, may you live forever! 22My God sent his angel. He shut the lions' mouths. They haven't hurt me. That's because God saw that I was innocent. And I've never done anything wrong to you, O king." 23The king was filled with joy. He gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. When they lifted him out, they found no wounds on him at all. That's because he had trusted in his God. 24Then the king gave an order. The men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in. They were thrown into the lions' den, along with their children and wives. Before they even reached the bottom of the den, the lions grabbed them. They crushed all their bones. 25Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language in all the land. "May you have more and more peace and success. 26I make this law. In every part of my kingdom, people must shake with fear before the God of Daniel.
He is the living God.
He lives forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed.
His rule will never end. 27He saves and he rescues.
He does signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." 28So Daniel did well while Darius was king. He also did well while Cyrus the Persian was king.