Study Desk

"Now, O king, ^(C1)establish the injunction and sign the document so that it will not be changed, according to the ^(C2)law of the Medes and Persians, which ^(F1)may not be revoked."

Thereupon, King Darius ^(C1)signed the document, that is, the injunction.

Now when Daniel learned that the document was signed, he entered his house (and in his roof chamber he had windows open ^(C1)toward Jerusalem); and he continued ^(C2)kneeling on his knees three times a day, ^(C3)praying and ^(C4)offering praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously.

Then these men came ^(F1)(C1)by agreement and found Daniel offering a prayer and imploring favor before his God.

Then they approached and ^(C1)spoke before the king about the king's injunction: "Did you not sign an injunction that any person who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be thrown into the lions' den?" The king replied, "The statement is true, according to the ^(C2)law of the Medes and Persians, which ^(F1)may not be revoked."

Then they responded and spoke before the king, "^(C1)Daniel, who is one of the ^(F1)exiles from Judah, pays ^(C2)no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps offering his prayer three times a day."

Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply ^(C1)distressed, and set his mind on rescuing Daniel; and until sunset he kept exerting himself to save him.

Then these men came ^(F1)by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Recognize, O king, that it is a ^(C1)law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed."

Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and ^(C1)thrown into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "^(F1)(C2)Your God whom you continually serve will Himself rescue you."

And a ^(C1)stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed regarding Daniel.

Then the king went to his palace and spent the night ^(C1)fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his ^(C2)sleep fled from him.