The Golden Image
Daniel 3, verse 1. In his eighteenth year, King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image. Its height was sixty cubits and its width, six cubits, and he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3, verse 2. Then Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather together the high officials, the commanders, the governors, the rulers, and all those in authority, along with all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image King Nebuchadnezzar set up. Daniel 3, verse 3. So the governors, the high officials, the leaders, the great rulers—all those in authority who ruled the provinces came to the dedication of the image King Nebuchadnezzar set up, and they stood before the image Nebuchadnezzar made. Daniel 3, verse 4. Then the herald cried out in a loud voice, “To you it is commanded, O peoples and tribes and languages, Daniel 3, verse 5. that in what hour you hear the sound of the trumpet, the pipe, the harp, the four-stringed instrument, the psaltery, the symphony, and every kind of music, you shall fall down and worship the golden image King Nebuchadnezzar set up. Daniel 3, verse 6. But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the burning fiery furnace.” Daniel 3, verse 7. So at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the trumpet, the pipe, the harp, the four-stringed instrument, the psaltery, the symphony, and every kind of music, all the peoples, tribes, and languages fell down and worshipped the golden image King Nebuchadnezzar set up.
Daniel's Companions Refuse Idol Worship
Daniel 3, verse 8. Then Chaldean men came forward and brought charges against the Jews, Daniel 3, verse 9. and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever. Daniel 3, verse 10. You, O king, made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the trumpet, the pipe, the harp, the four-stringed instrument, the psaltery, the symphony, and every kind of music, Daniel 3, verse 11. but does not fall down and worship the golden image shall be cast into the burning fiery furnace. Daniel 3, verse 12. Now there are certain Jews you set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Those men did not obey your decree, O king; and they do not serve your gods, nor do they worship the golden image you set up.” Daniel 3, verse 13. Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So the men were brought before the king. Daniel 3, verse 14. Nebuchadnezzar then answered and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image I set up? Daniel 3, verse 15. Now then, if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, the pipe, the harp, the four-stringed instrument, the psaltery, the symphony, and every kind of music, that you shall fall down and worship the golden image I made. But indeed, if you do not worship it at that time, you shall be cast into the burning fiery furnace. Then what god is there who will deliver you from my hands?” Daniel 3, verse 16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “We have no need to answer you in regard to this thing. Daniel 3, verse 17. For there is a God in the heavens, whom we serve, and He is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace; and He will deliver us from your hands, O king. Daniel 3, verse 18. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image you set up.”
Saved as through Fire
Daniel 3, verse 19. Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of anger, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So he commanded them to heat the furnace seven times more, until it burned to its fullest. Daniel 3, verse 20. Then he commanded certain very strong men to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Daniel 3, verse 21. Thereupon, those men were bound together with their sandals, caps, leg-coverings, and clothing, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Daniel 3, verse 22. Because the king's command was urgent, and the furnace was exceedingly hot, Daniel 3, verse 23. these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Daniel 3, verse 24. But they walked about in the midst of the flame, singing to God and praising the Lord. Daniel 3, verse 25. Then Azariah stood and prayed thus and opened his mouth in the midst of the fire and said: Daniel 3, verse 26. “Blessed are You and praiseworthy, O Lord, the God of our fathers, And praised and glorified is Your name unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 27. For You are righteous in all You did for us, And all Your works are true. Your ways are upright, And all Your judgments are true. Daniel 3, verse 28. The judgments You made are true, According to all You brought on us And on the holy city of our fathers, Because in truth and judgment You did all these things on account of our sins. Daniel 3, verse 29. For we sinned and acted lawlessly To depart from You. We sinned in every way, And did not obey Your commandments. Daniel 3, verse 30. Neither did we treasure or do as You commanded, That it might go well with us. Daniel 3, verse 31. Everything You brought on us And all You did to us, You did in true judgment. Daniel 3, verse 32. You delivered us into the hands of lawless and rebellious enemies And to an unjust king—the most evil in any land. Daniel 3, verse 33. Now it is not for us to open our mouth, For this has become a shame and disgrace to Your servants And to those who worship You. Daniel 3, verse 34. For Your name's sake, do not hand us over to the end, And do not reject Your covenant. Daniel 3, verse 35. Do not withdraw Your mercy from us for the sake of Abraham, Who is loved by You, and for the sake of Isaac, Your servant, And of Israel, Your holy one, Daniel 3, verse 36. As You spoke to them, saying That You would multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, And as the sand along the seashore. Daniel 3, verse 37. Yet we have been diminished in number, O Master, More than all the nations, And we are humbled in all the earth today because of our sins. Daniel 3, verse 38. “At this time, there is no prince, no prophet, and no leader; There is no whole burnt offering, no sacrifice, no offering, and no incense; There is no place to bear fruit before You and to find mercy. Daniel 3, verse 39. Yet with a contrite soul and humbled spirit, May we receive mercy, as with whole burnt offerings of rams and bulls, And as with thousands of fatted lambs. Daniel 3, verse 40. So let this be our sacrifice before You today, And may it be accomplished for those who follow You; For there is no shame for those who trust in You. Daniel 3, verse 41. Now we are following You with all our heart, And we fear You and seek Your face. Daniel 3, verse 42. “Do not put us to shame, But deal with us according to Your kindness And according to the abundance of Your mercy. Daniel 3, verse 43. Deliver us by Your wondrous works And give glory to Your name, O Lord. Daniel 3, verse 44. May all those who inflict evils upon Your servants Be put to shame and humiliated in their power; And let their strength be crushed. Daniel 3, verse 45. Let them know that You alone are the Lord God And glorious over all the inhabited earth.” Daniel 3, verse 46. Now the king's servants who cast them in did not cease to stoke the furnace with naphtha, pitch, coarse fiber, and brushwood. Daniel 3, verse 47. The flame shot forty-nine cubits above the furnace, Daniel 3, verse 48. and it broke out and burned those it found around the furnace of the Chaldeans. Daniel 3, verse 49. But the Angel of the Lord went down into the furnace to join Azariah and his companions, and shook off the fiery flame of the furnace. Daniel 3, verse 50. He made the inside of the furnace to be as though a dew-laden breeze were blowing through it, so the fire did not touch them at all, or cause them pain, or trouble them.
Hymn of the Three Young Men
Daniel 3, verse 51. Then the three, as if with one mouth, sang, glorified, and blessed God in the furnace, saying: Daniel 3, verse 52. “Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, For You are praiseworthy And exalted beyond measure unto the ages. Blessed is Your name and the temple of your glory, And You are praised exceedingly And exalted beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 53. You are blessed in the holy temple of Your glory, And are highly praised And exceedingly glorious unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 54. Blessed are You on the throne of Your kingdom, And You are praised And exalted beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 55. “Blessed are You who behold the depths And sit upon the cherubim. You are praiseworthy And exalted beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 56. Blessed are You in the firmament of heaven, For You are praised and glorified unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 57. Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, And sing a hymn to the Lord, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 58. Bless the Lord, you angels of the Lord, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 59. Bless the Lord, you heavens, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 60. Bless the Lord, all you waters above heaven, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 61. Bless the Lord, all you powers of the Lord, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 62. “Bless the Lord, you sun and moon, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 63. Bless the Lord, you stars of heaven, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 64. Bless the Lord, every shower and dew, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 65. Bless the Lord, all you winds, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 66. Bless the Lord, you fire and heat, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 67. “Bless the Lord, you winter cold and summer heat, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 68. Bless the Lord, you dews and snows, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 69. Bless the Lord, you frost and cold, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 70. Bless the Lord, you hoarfrosts and snows, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 71. Bless the Lord, you night and day, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 72. Bless the Lord, you light and darkness, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 73. “Bless the Lord, you lightning and clouds, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 74. Let the earth bless the Lord, And let it sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 75. Bless the Lord, you mountains and hills, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 76. Bless the Lord, all you things growing on the earth, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 77. Bless the Lord, you springs, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 78. Bless the Lord, you seas and rivers, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 79. “Bless the Lord, you sea-monsters and everything that moves in the waters, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 80. Bless the Lord, all you birds of heaven, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 81. Bless the Lord, all you wild animals and cattle, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 82. Bless the Lord, O children of men, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 83. Bless the Lord, O Israel, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 84. Bless the Lord, O priests of the Lord, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 85. Bless the Lord, O servants of the Lord, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 86. Bless the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 87. Bless the Lord, O holy ones and humble in heart, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. Daniel 3, verse 88. “Bless the Lord, O Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, And sing a hymn to Him, And exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages; For He delivered us from Hades And saved us from the hand of death. He rescued us from the midst of the burning fiery furnace And saved us from the midst of the fire. Daniel 3, verse 89. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, Because His mercy endures forever. Daniel 3, verse 90. Bless the Lord, the God of gods, All you who worship Him, And sing a hymn and give thanks to Him; For His mercy endures forever.”
The King Praises God
Daniel 3, verse 91. Now Nebuchadnezzar heard their singing, and he marveled and rose up in haste, and said to his nobles, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They replied to the king, “Truly, O king.” Daniel 3, verse 92. Then the king said, “Behold, I see four men untied and walking in the midst of the fire, yet they are not destroyed; and the vision of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3, verse 93. Then the king approached the door of the burning fiery furnace, and called out to them by name, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come forth and come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came forth from the midst of the fire. Daniel 3, verse 94. Then the governors, the commanders, the viceroys, and the court officials gathered together and beheld the men, that the fire had no power over their bodies; neither had it singed their hair, nor scorched their clothes, nor was the smell of fire on them. Daniel 3, verse 95. So King Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed is the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent His Angel and saved His servants who trusted in Him; for they altered the word of the king and handed over their bodies to be burned, so as not to serve and worship any god other than their God. Daniel 3, verse 96. Therefore I make a decree: ‘Any people, tribe, or language that blasphemes the God of Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego shall be destroyed, and their houses plundered, because there is no other God who can deliver in this way.’” Daniel 3, verse 97. Then the king gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego authority over the province of Babylon, and considered them worthy to be the rulers of all the Jews in his kingdom.