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Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed-in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."

So they approached the king and asked about his royal decree: "Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days any man who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions?" The king replied, "According to the law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands and it cannot be repealed."

So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!"

A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.

So Daniel prospered during the reigns of Darius and of Cyrus the Persian.

Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, 'Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!'

And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, so that every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

I approached one of those who stood by, and I asked him the true meaning of all this. So he told me the interpretation of these things:

So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

All Israel has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey Your voice; so the oath and the curse written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, has been poured out on us because we have sinned against You.

So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary.

At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision:

So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless.

The king of the North will return to his land with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant; so he will do damage and return to his own land.

Ships of Kittim will come against him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and rage against the holy covenant and do damage. So he will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

Some of the wise will fall, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?"

So Hosea went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.

Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so she cannot find her way.

I will destroy her vines and fig trees, which she thinks are the wages paid by her lovers. So I will make them into a thicket, and the beasts of the field will devour them.