¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego^(A) replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver^(B) us from it, and he will deliver^(C) us^[a] from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.^(D)”

²⁹ Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!^(A)

¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?^(A) If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

²⁰ In fact, you even put up with^(A) anyone who enslaves you^(B) or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face.