¹⁷ But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live.^(A)

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.^[a](A)

²¹ And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.^(A)

⁵ But I will show you whom to fear: fear the one who, after killing, has authority^[a] to cast into hell.^[b] Yes, I tell you, fear that one!^(A)

²⁸ Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell.^[a]

¹³ The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments, for that is the whole duty of everyone.^(A)

¹⁸ So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.^{(A) 19} But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;^{(B) 20} for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”^(C)

¹³ Then they responded to the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the interdict you have signed, but he is saying his prayers three times a day.”^(A)

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. ¹⁷ If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us.^{[a] 18} But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.”