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The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”^(A)

⁸ Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”^(A)

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)

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the king,^(A) let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed,^(B) that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes.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.

¹⁹ When her owners realized that their hope of making money^(A) was gone, they seized Paul and Silas^(B) and dragged^(C) them into the marketplace to face the authorities.

² When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. ³ Everywhere and in every way, most excellent^(A) Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. ⁴ But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

⁵ “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots^(B) among the Jews^(C) all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene^(D) sect^{(E) 6} and even tried to desecrate the temple;^(F) so we seized him. ^{[7] [a] 8} By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

⁹ The other Jews joined in the accusation,^(G) asserting that these things were true.

²⁴ When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.^(A)