Daniel 6

All 28 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

Read Daniel 6 in the Bible reader, with audio →

1. 1Darius decided to organize his kingdom by appointing 120 governors to oversee every region of the empire.
2. 2Over them were three chief administrators, and Daniel was first among them, so that the governors could give their accounts to them and the king would suffer no loss.
3. 3Daniel quickly stood out above the other administrators and governors because he had an excellent spirit, and the king began making plans to put him in charge of the entire kingdom.
4. 4Then the presidents and princes tried to find grounds for accusation against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no fault or error, because he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
5. 5Finally, these men said to each other, "We'll never find grounds to accuse Daniel unless we use the law of his God against him."
6. 6So the administrators and governors went as a group to the king and said, "King Darius, may you live forever!
7. 7All the chief officials, governors, advisors, counselors, and commanders have met together to establish a royal law and make a firm decree: that whoever asks anything of any god or man for 30 days, except of you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions.
8. 8So now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so it cannot be reversed, in keeping with the law of the Medes and Persians, which can never be changed."
9. 9So King Darius signed the decree into law.
10. 10When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows faced toward Jerusalem. There, just as he had always done, he knelt down 3 times that day, praying and giving thanks to his God.
11. 11Then these men gathered and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
12. 12They went straight to the king and brought up the royal decree: "Didn't you sign a law stating that for 30 days, anyone who prays to any God or person besides you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the den of lions?" The king replied, "That's correct. And according to the law of the Medes and Persians, it cannot be changed."
13. 13Then they said to the king, "Daniel, one of the Jewish exiles from Judah, has no respect for you or the decree you signed, Your Majesty. He still prays to his God 3 times a day."
14. 14When the king heard this, he was very upset with himself and was determined to save Daniel. He worked until sunset trying to rescue him.
15. 15But the men came back to the king in a group and pressed him: "Remember, Your Majesty, that under the law of the Medes and Persians, no decree or statute the king has established can be changed."
16. 16So the king gave the order, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, will deliver you.”
17. 17A large stone was placed over the opening of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing about Daniel's situation could be altered.
18. 18The king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting; no musical instruments were brought to him, and he could not sleep.
19. 19At the first light of dawn, the king got up and rushed to the den of lions.
20. 20When he came to the den, he cried out to Daniel in an anguished voice. The king said, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?"
21. 21Daniel answered, "Your Majesty, may you live forever!
22. 22My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths, and they haven't harmed me at all. God found me innocent before him, and I've done nothing wrong against you either, Your Majesty."
23. 23The king was overjoyed and ordered Daniel pulled out of the den. When they lifted him out, there wasn't a scratch on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24. 24Then the king gave an order, and the men who had accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions — along with their wives and children. Before they even reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed every bone in their bodies.
25. 25Then King Darius wrote to all peoples, nations, and languages throughout the whole earth: 'May peace be multiplied to you!'
26. 26I make this decree: Throughout my entire kingdom, everyone must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he endures forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will last until the end.
27. 27He delivers and rescues. He performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. He is the one who saved Daniel from the power of the lions."
28. 28From that point on, Daniel prospered throughout the reign of Darius and into the reign of Cyrus the Persian.