1. And so Daniel was living with the king, and he was honored above all his friends.
2. Now there was an idol with the Babylonians named Bel. And each day there was expended on him twelve great measures of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine.
3. The king likewise worshipped him and went each day to adore him, but Daniel adored his God. And the king said to him, "Why do you not adore Bel?"
4. And answering, he said to him, "Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who created heaven and earth, and who holds power over all flesh."
5. And the king said to him, "Does not Bel seem to you to be a living god? Do you not see how much he eats and drinks every day?"
6. Then Daniel said, smiling, "O king, do not make a mistake, for this one is clay on the inside and brass on the outside, and he has never eaten."
7. And the king, being angry, called for his priests and said to them, "If you do not tell me who it is that has eaten these expenses, you will die.