⁸ But he devastated their whole territory and cut down their sacred groves, for he was allowed to destroy all the gods of the land, so that every nation might worship only Nebuchadnezzar, and all their tongues and tribes should invoke him as a god.^[a](A)

⁷ “Here are the Assyrians, a vast force, priding themselves on horse and chariot, boasting of the power of their infantry, trusting in shield and spear, bow and sling.^(A) They do not know that you are the Lord who crushes wars;^{[a] 8} Lord is your name. Shatter their strength in your might, and crush their force in your wrath.^(B) For they have resolved to profane your sanctuary, to defile the tent where your glorious name resides, and to break off the horns of your altar with the sword.

¹⁵ When he came to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to fight at Ramoth-gilead, or shall we refrain?” He said, “Attack and conquer! The Lord will give it into the power of the king.” ¹⁶ But the king answered him, “How many times must I adjure you to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” ^17 [a]So Micaiah said:

³² until I arrive and take you to a land like your own, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of rich olives and honey. Live, and do not die! And do not listen to Hezekiah when he would incite you by saying, ‘The Lord will rescue us.’ ³³ Has any of the gods of the nations ever rescued his land from the power of the king of Assyria? ³⁴ Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Did they indeed rescue Samaria from my power?^{[a] 35} Which of the gods for all these lands ever rescued his land from my power? Will the Lord then rescue Jerusalem from my power?”

¹⁸ Do not let Hezekiah seduce you by saying, ‘The Lord will rescue us.’ Has any of the gods of the nations rescued his land from the power of the king of Assyria?^{(A) 19} Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Where are the gods of Samaria? Have they saved Samaria from my power?^{(B) 20} Who among all the gods of these lands ever rescued their land from my power, that the Lord should save Jerusalem from my power?”

¹⁴ King Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? ¹⁵ Now, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I made, whenever you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, dulcimer, harp, double-flute, and all the other musical instruments, then all will be well;^[a] if not, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God who can deliver you out of my hands?” ¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷ If our God, whom we serve, can save us^[b] from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! ¹⁸ But even if he will not, you should know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up.”