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 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. ²⁰ They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar^{(D) 21} by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans^(E) to accept or practice.”^(F)