DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went intohis house; and his windows being open in his chamber towardJerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, andprayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and makingsupplication before his God. Then they came near, and spakebefore the king concerning the king's decree Hast thou not signeda decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God orman within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast intothe den of lions.

The king answered and said, The thing is true, according tothe law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel,which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth notthee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but makethhis petition three times a day.

Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeasedwith himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and helaboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto theking, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is,That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may bechanged. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel andcast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said untoDaniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliverthee. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the denand the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signetof his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerningDaniel.

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the nightfasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him:and his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early inthe morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when hecame to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of theliving God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able todeliver thee from the lions?

Then said Daniel unto the King, O king, live forever. My Godhath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that theyhave not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found inme; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded thatthey should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken upout of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, becausehe believed in his God. And the king commanded, and they broughtthose men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into theden of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and thelions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones inpieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.—Danielvi,