Daniel 3

All 30 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

Read Daniel 3 in the Bible reader, with audio →

1. 1King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, 60 cubits high and 6 cubits wide. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
2. 2Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather the princes, the governors, the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces to attend the dedication of the image he had set up.
3. 3Then the princes, governors, captains, judges, treasurers, counselors, sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4. 4Then a herald shouted to the crowd, "This is the command for all peoples, nations, and languages:
5. 5The moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and every other kind of instrument, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6. 6Anyone who does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."
7. 7So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, stringed instrument, and every kind of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8. 8It was at this time that certain Chaldeans came forward and brought accusations against some of the Jews.
9. 9They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, may you live forever!
10. 10You issued a decree, Your Majesty, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and every kind of instrument must fall down and worship the golden statue.
11. 11And whoever does not fall down and worship is to be thrown into a blazing furnace.
12. 12But there are certain Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon. These men, O king, have not respected you: they do not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you set up.
13. 13Then Nebuchadnezzar, in his rage and fury, commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So they brought these men before the king.
14. 14Nebuchadnezzar asked, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up?"
15. 15Now if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, psaltery, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image I have made, good. But if you do not worship, you will be thrown immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God who will deliver you out of my hands?
16. 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "Nebuchadnezzar, we don't need to defend ourselves before you on this matter.
17. 17If that is so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us from your hand, king.
18. 18But even if he doesn't, understand this, O king: we will never serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up."
19. 19Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and his expression changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual.
20. 20Then he commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
21. 21So the 3 men were bound — still wearing their tunics, trousers, mantles, and all their other clothing — and thrown into the blazing furnace.
22. 22Because the king's order was so urgent and the furnace so incredibly hot, the flames killed the soldiers who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in.
23. 23And the 3 men — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — fell bound into the heart of the blazing furnace.
24. 24Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped to his feet in shock. He asked his counselors, "Didn't we throw 3 men into the fire, tied up?" They answered, "Yes, O king, that's correct."
25. 25He said, "Look! I see four men walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed. And the fourth one looks like the Son of God."
26. 26Nebuchadnezzar approached the opening of the blazing furnace and called out, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.
27. 27The governors, deputies, commanders, and royal counselors crowded around them and saw for themselves: the fire had done nothing to their bodies. Not a hair on their heads was singed. Their clothing wasn't damaged. They didn't even smell like smoke.
28. 28Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They changed the king's command and gave up their bodies so that they would not serve or worship any god except their own God.”
29. 29Therefore, I decree that anyone of any people, nation, or language who says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into a dunghill. There is no other God who can rescue like this.
30. 30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.