16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar: "We don’t need to answer your question.
17. If our God—the one we serve—is able to rescue us from the furnace of flaming fire and from your power, Your Majesty, then let him rescue us.
18. But if he doesn’t, know this for certain, Your Majesty: we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you’ve set up."
19. Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and his face twisted beyond recognition because of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In response he commanded that the furnace be heated to seven times its normal heat.
20. He told some of the strongest men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of flaming fire.
21. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound, still dressed in all their clothes, and thrown into the furnace of flaming fire. (
22. Now the king’s command had been rash, and the furnace was heated to such an extreme that the fire’s flame killed the very men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to it.)
23. So these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell, bound, into the furnace of flaming fire.
24. Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in shock and said to his associates, "Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire?"They answered the king, "Certainly, Your Majesty."