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Daniel 3:8-18 NIV
8 At this time some astrologers
came forward and denounced the Jews.
9 They said to King
Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!
10 You have issued a decree, O
king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither,
lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship
the image of gold,
11 and that whoever does not
fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.
12 But there are some Jews whom
you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, O king. They
neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set
up."
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,
14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to
them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not
serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?
15 Now when you hear the sound
of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of
music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made,
very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown
immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to
rescue you from my hand?"
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O
Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in
this matter.
17 If we are thrown into the
blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he
will rescue us from your hand, O king.
18 But even if he does not, we
want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or
worship the image of gold you have set up."
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