⁴ Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language,^(A) this is what you are commanded to do: ⁵ As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp,^(B) pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image^(C) of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.^{(D) 6} Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”^(E)

⁷ Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.^(F)

¹³ Furious^(A) with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, ¹⁴ and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods^(B) or worship the image^(C) of gold I have set up? ¹⁵ Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god^(D) will be able to rescue^(E) you from my hand?”

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego^(F) 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^(G) us from it, and he will deliver^(H) 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.^(I)”