Daniel 2:45-3:13

Christian Standard Bible

⁴⁵ You saw a stone^(A) break off from the mountain without a hand touching it,^[a](B) and it crushed the iron, bronze, fired clay, silver, and gold. The great God has told the king what will happen in the future.^(C) The dream is certain, and its interpretation reliable.”

Nebuchadnezzar’s Response

⁴⁶ Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell facedown, worshiped Daniel, and gave orders to present an offering and incense to him.^{(D) 47} The king said to Daniel, “Your God is indeed God of gods, Lord of kings,^(E) and a revealer of mysteries,^(F) since you were able to reveal this mystery.” ⁴⁸ Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.^{(G) 49} At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego^(H) to manage the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.^(I)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue

3 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue,^(J) ninety feet high and nine feet wide.^[b] He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.^{(K) 2} King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers^(L) of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. ³ So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue the king had set up. Then they stood before the statue Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

⁴ A herald loudly proclaimed, “People of every nation and language, you are commanded: ⁵ When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither,^[c] lyre,^[d] harp, drum,^[e] and every kind of music,^(M) you are to fall facedown and worship^(N) the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. ⁶ But whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.”^(O)

⁷ Therefore, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and every kind of music, people of every nation and language fell down and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

The Furnace of Blazing Fire

⁸ Some Chaldeans^(P) took this occasion to come forward and maliciously accuse^[f](Q) the Jews. ⁹ They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever. ¹⁰ You as king have issued a decree^(R) that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music must fall down and worship the gold statue. ¹¹ Whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire. ¹² There are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.^(S) These men have ignored you,^(T) the king; they do not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

¹³ Then in a furious rage^(U) Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to bring in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king.