Study Desk

For this reason at that time certain ^(C1)Chaldeans came forward and ^(F1)(C2)brought charges against the Jews.

They began to speak and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: "^(C1)O king, live forever!

"You, O king, have ^(C1)made a decree that every person who hears the sound of the horn, flute, ^(F1)lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, is to ^(C2)fall down and worship the golden statue.

"But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire.

"There are certain Jews whom you have ^(C1)appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods, nor do they worship the golden statue which you have set up."

Then Nebuchadnezzar in ^(C1)rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king.

Nebuchadnezzar began speaking and said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that you do not serve ^(C1)my gods, nor worship the golden statue that I have set up?

"Now if you are ready, ^(C1)at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, ^(F1)lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will ^(F2)immediately be ^(C2)thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and ^(C3)what god is there who can rescue you from my hands?"

^(C1)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego replied to the king, "Nebuchadnezzar, we are not in need of an answer to give you concerning this matter.

"If it be so, our ^(C1)God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; ^(F1)and ^(C2)He will rescue us from your hand, O king.

"^(C1)But even if He does not, ^(C2)let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up."