The Fiery Furnace. 1 King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue made, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, which he set up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then ordered the satraps,
prefects, and governors, the counselors, treasurers, judges,
magistrates and all the officials of the provinces to be summoned to the
dedication of the statue which he had set up. 3 The
satraps, prefects, and governors, the counselors, treasurers, judges,
magistrates and all the officials of the provinces came together for the
dedication and stood before the statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had
set up. 4 A herald cried out: “Nations and peoples of every language, 5 when
you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, dulcimer, harp,
double-flute, and all the other musical instruments, you must fall down
and worship the golden statue which King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be instantly cast into a white-hot furnace.” 7 Therefore,
as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, dulcimer,
harp, double-flute, and all the other musical instruments, the nations
and peoples of every language all fell down and worshiped the golden
statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 At that point, some of the Chaldeans came and accused the Jews 9 to King Nebuchadnezzar: “O king, live forever! 10 O
king, you issued a decree that everyone who heard the sound of the
horn, pipe, zither, dulcimer, harp, and double-flute, and all the other
musical instruments should fall down and worship the golden statue; 11 whoever did not was to be cast into a white-hot furnace. 12 There
are certain Jews whom you have made administrators of the province of
Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have paid
no attention to you; they will not serve your god or worship the golden
statue which you set up.”
13 Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and sent for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were promptly brought before the king. 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; 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 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.”
19 Nebuchadnezzar’s
face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than
usual 20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace. 21 They were bound and cast into the white-hot furnace with their trousers, shirts, hats and other garments, 22 for
the king’s order was urgent. So huge a fire was kindled in the furnace
that the flames devoured the men who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego into it. 23 But these three fell, bound, into the midst of the white-hot furnace.
Prayer of Azariah. 24 They walked about in the flames, singing to God and blessing the Lord. 25 Azariah stood up in the midst of the fire and prayed aloud:
26 “Blessed are you, and praiseworthy,
O Lord, the God of our ancestors,
and glorious forever is your name.
27 For you are just in all you have done;
all your deeds are faultless, all your ways right,
and all your judgments proper.
28 You have executed proper judgments
in all that you have brought upon us
and upon Jerusalem, the holy city of our ancestors.
By a proper judgment you have done all this
because of our sins;
29 For we have sinned and transgressed
by departing from you,
and we have done every kind of evil.
30 Your commandments we have not heeded or observed,
nor have we done as you ordered us for our good.
31 Therefore all you have brought upon us,
all you have done to us,
you have done by a proper judgment.
32 You have handed us over to our enemies,
lawless and hateful rebels;
to an unjust king, the worst in all the world.
33 Now we cannot open our mouths;
shame and reproach have come upon us,
your servants, who revere you.
34 For your name’s sake, do not deliver us up forever,
or make void your covenant.
35 Do not take away your mercy from us,
for the sake of Abraham, your beloved,
Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,
36 To whom you promised to multiply their offspring
like the stars of heaven,
or the sand on the shore of the sea.
37 For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation,
brought low everywhere in the world this day
because of our sins.
38 We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader,
no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense,
no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you.
39 But with contrite heart and humble spirit
let us be received;
As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bulls,
or tens of thousands of fat lambs,
40 So let our sacrifice be in your presence today
and find favor before you;
for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame.
41 And now we follow you with our whole heart,
we fear you and we seek your face.
Do not put us to shame,
42 but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.
43 Deliver us in accord with your wonders,
and bring glory to your name, O Lord:
44 Let all those be put to shame
who inflict evils on your servants;
Let them be shamed and powerless,
and their strength broken;
45 Let them know that you alone are the Lord God,
glorious over the whole world.”
