¹⁹ “Therefore, if it pleases the king,^(A) let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed,^(B) that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she.

⁸ At this time some astrologers^[a](A) came forward and denounced the Jews. ⁹ They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever!^{(B) 10} Your Majesty has issued a decree^(C) that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,^{(D) 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^(E)—who pay no attention^(F) to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”^(G)