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Daniel 6:10-24
New King James Version
Daniel 6:10-24
New King James Version
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open (A)toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees (B)three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 (C)And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, (D)according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [a]does not alter.”
13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, (E)who is [b]one of the captives from Judah, (F)does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 And the king, when he heard these words, (G)was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he [c]labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men [d]approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is (H)the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 (I)Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, (J)and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
Daniel Saved from the Lions
18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no [e]musicians were brought before him. (K)Also his sleep [f]went from him. 19 Then the (L)king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a [g]lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, (M)has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, (N)“O king, live forever! 22 (O)My God sent His angel and (P)shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, (Q)because he believed in his God.
Darius Honors God
24 And the king gave the command, (R)and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, (S)their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
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- Daniel 6:12 Lit. does not pass away
- Daniel 6:13 Lit. of the sons of the captivity
- Daniel 6:14 strove
- Daniel 6:15 Lit. thronged before
- Daniel 6:18 Exact meaning unknown
- Daniel 6:18 Or fled
- Daniel 6:20 Or grieved
Daniel 6:10-24
New International Version
Daniel 6:10-24
New International Version
10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward(A) Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees(B) and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.(C) 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.(D) 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”
The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”(E)
13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,(F) pays no attention(G) to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed;(H) he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.
15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”(I)
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.(J) The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue(K) you!”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed(L) it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating(M) and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.(N)
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”(O)
21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!(P) 22 My God sent his angel,(Q) and he shut the mouths of the lions.(R) They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.(S) Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound(T) was found on him, because he had trusted(U) in his God.
24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den,(V) along with their wives and children.(W) And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.(X)
Daniel 6:10-24
King James Version
Daniel 6:10-24
King James Version
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
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Daniel 6:10-24
English Standard Version
Daniel 6:10-24
English Standard Version
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where (A)he had windows in his upper chamber open (B)toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees (C)three times a day and prayed and (D)gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. 12 Then they (E)came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign (F)an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of (G)the Medes and Persians, (H)which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and said before the king, (I)“Daniel, who is one (J)of the exiles (K)from Judah, (L)pays no attention to you, O king, or (M)the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition (N)three times a day.”
14 Then (O)the king, when he heard these words, (P)was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no (Q)injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”
16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared[a] to Daniel, “May (R)your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 17 (S)And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, (T)and the king sealed it (U)with his own signet and with the signet of his (V)lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; (W)no diversions were brought to him, and (X)sleep fled from him.
19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of (Y)the living God, (Z)has your God, whom you serve continually, (AA)been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, (AB)“O king, live forever! 22 My God (AC)sent his angel (AD)and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless (AE)before him; (AF)and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and (AG)no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and (AH)those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.
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- Daniel 6:16 Aramaic answered and said; also verse 20
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.