The Plot Against Daniel

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, (A)because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. (B)So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: (C)“King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have (D)consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the (E)law of the Medes and Persians, which [a]does not alter.” Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

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 (F)toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees (G)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 (H)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, (I)according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [b]does not alter.”

13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, (J)who is [c]one of the captives from Judah, (K)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, (L)was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he [d]labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men [e]approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is (M)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 (N)Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, (O)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 [f]musicians were brought before him. (P)Also his sleep [g]went from him. 19 Then the (Q)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 [h]lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, (R)has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

21 Then Daniel said to the king, (S)“O king, live forever! 22 (T)My God sent His angel and (U)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, (V)because he believed in his God.

Darius Honors God

24 And the king gave the command, (W)and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, (X)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.

25 (Y)Then King Darius wrote:

To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

26 (Z)I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must (AA)tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

(AB)For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be (AC)destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues,
(AD)And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the [i]power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius (AE)and in the reign of (AF)Cyrus the Persian.

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 6:8 Lit. does not pass away
  2. Daniel 6:12 Lit. does not pass away
  3. Daniel 6:13 Lit. of the sons of the captivity
  4. Daniel 6:14 strove
  5. Daniel 6:15 Lit. thronged before
  6. Daniel 6:18 Exact meaning unknown
  7. Daniel 6:18 Or fled
  8. Daniel 6:20 Or grieved
  9. Daniel 6:27 Lit. hand

God’s Promise Is Not Slack(A)

Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which (B)I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words (C)which were spoken before by the holy prophets, (D)and of the commandment of [a]us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, (E)walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of (F)creation.” For this they willfully forget: that (G)by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth (H)standing out of water and in the water, (I)by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But (J)the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for (K)fire until the day of judgment and [b]perdition of ungodly men.

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and (L)a thousand years as one day. (M)The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but (N)is longsuffering toward [c]us, (O)not willing that any should perish but (P)that all should come to repentance.

The Day of the Lord

10 But (Q)the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which (R)the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [d]burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be (S)in holy conduct and godliness, 12 (T)looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will (U)be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will (V)melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for (W)new heavens and a (X)new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Be Steadfast

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent (Y)to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that (Z)the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his (AA)epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the (AB)rest of the Scriptures.

17 You therefore, beloved, (AC)since you know this beforehand, (AD)beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 (AE)but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(AF)To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Peter 3:2 NU, M the apostles of your Lord and Savior or your apostles of the Lord and Savior
  2. 2 Peter 3:7 destruction
  3. 2 Peter 3:9 NU you
  4. 2 Peter 3:10 NU laid bare, lit. found

פ PE

129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The entrance of Your words gives light;
(A)It gives understanding to the (B)simple.
131 I opened my mouth and (C)panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.
132 (D)Look upon me and be merciful to me,
(E)As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
133 (F)Direct my steps by Your word,
And (G)let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 (H)Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.
135 (I)Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.
136 (J)Rivers of water run down from my eyes,
Because men do not keep Your law.

צ TSADDE

137 (K)Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.
138 (L)Your testimonies, which You have commanded,
Are righteous and very faithful.
139 (M)My zeal has [a]consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140 (N)Your word is very [b]pure;
Therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is (O)truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have [c]overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights.
144 The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;
Give me understanding, and I shall live.

ק QOPH

145 I cry out with my whole heart;
Hear me, O Lord!
I will keep Your statutes.
146 I cry out to You;
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
147 (P)I rise before the dawning of the morning,
And cry for help;
I hope in Your word.
148 (Q)My eyes are awake through the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.
149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness;
They are far from Your law.
151 You are (R)near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.
152 Concerning Your testimonies,
I have known of old that You have founded them (S)forever.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:139 put an end to
  2. Psalm 119:140 Lit. refined or tried
  3. Psalm 119:143 Lit. found

21 (A)To [a]show partiality is not good,
(B)Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that (C)poverty will come upon him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:21 Lit. recognize faces

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