¹⁰ Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward^(A) Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees^(B) and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.^{(C) 11} Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.^(D)

¹⁴ When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed;^(A) he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

¹⁶ So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.^(A) The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue^(B) you!”

¹⁹ At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰ When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”^(A)

²¹ Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!^{(B) 22} My God sent his angel,^(C) and he shut the mouths of the lions.^(D) They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.^(E) Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

²³ The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound^(F) was found on him, because he had trusted^(G) in his God.