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 ^(A)the living God, ^(B)has your God, whom you serve continually, ^(C)been able to deliver you from the lions?”

¹⁶ At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. ^(A)May it not be charged against them! ¹⁷ But ^(B)the Lord stood by me and ^(C)strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and ^(D)all the Gentiles might hear it. So ^(E)I was rescued ^(F)from the lion's mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. ^(G)To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁷ If this be so, ^(A)our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.^[a]

²⁵ Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost^{[a] (A)}those who draw near to God ^(B)through him, since he always lives ^(C)to make intercession for them.

¹⁶ Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared^[a] to Daniel, “May ^(A)your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”

²⁵ But the one who looks into the perfect law, ^(A)the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, ^(B)he will be blessed in his doing.

^17 (A)pray without ceasing, ^18 (B)give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.