Daniel 6:16-28

Easy-to-Read Version

¹⁶ So King Darius gave the order. They brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May the God you serve save you!” ¹⁷ A big rock was brought and put over the opening of the lions’ den. Then the king used his ring and put his seal on the rock. He also used the rings of his officials and put their seals on the rock. This showed that no one could move that rock and bring Daniel out of the lion’s den. ¹⁸ Then King Darius went back to his house. He did not eat that night. He did not want anyone to come and entertain him. He could not sleep all night.

¹⁹ The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. ²⁰ He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.”

²¹ Daniel answered, “King, live forever! ²² My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.”

²³ King Darius was very happy. He told his servants to lift Daniel out of the lions’ den. And when Daniel was lifted out of the den, they did not find any injury on his body. The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his God.

²⁴ Then the king gave a command to bring the men who had accused Daniel to the lions’ den. The men and their wives and children were thrown into the lions’ den. The lions grabbed them before they hit the floor. The lions ate their bodies and then chewed on their bones.

²⁵ Then King Darius wrote this letter to all the people from other nations and language groups all around the world:

Greetings:

²⁶ I am making a new law. This law is for people in every part of my kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the God of Daniel.

²⁸ So Daniel was successful during the time Darius was king and when Cyrus the Persian was king.