⁶ It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.^(A)

⁶ The tongue also is a fire,^(A) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,^(B) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.^(C)

²⁵ He will speak against the Most High^(A) and oppress his holy people^(B) and try to change the set times^(C) and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.^[a](D)

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^(A) will be able to rescue^(B) you from my hand?”

² Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord,^(A) that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”^(B)

⁴ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think,