8. After that happened, some astrologers came forward and brought charges against the Jews.
9. They addressed King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your Majesty, may you live forever!
10. Your Majesty, you gave an order that everyone who hears the sound of rams’ horns, flutes, lyres, harps, and three-stringed harps playing at the same time with all other kinds of instruments should bow down and worship the gold statue.
11. ⌊Your order said that⌋ whoever doesn’t bow down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.
12. There are certain Jews whom you appointed to govern the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men didn’t obey your order, Your Majesty. They don’t honor your gods or worship the statue that you set up.”
13. Then, in a fit of rage and anger, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Immediately, they were brought to the king.
14. Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you don’t honor my gods or worship the gold statue that I set up?
15. When you hear the sound of the rams’ horns, flutes, lyres, harps, and three-stringed harps playing at the same time with all other kinds of instruments, will you bow down and worship the gold statue I made? If you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. What god can save you from my power then?”
16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “We don’t need to answer your last question.
17. If our God, whom we honor, can save us from a blazing furnace and from your power, he will, Your Majesty.
18. But if he doesn’t, you should know, Your Majesty, we’ll never honor your gods or worship the gold statue that you set up.”
19. Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with anger toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face turned red. He ordered that the furnace should be heated seven times hotter than normal.
20. He told some soldiers from his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego so that they could be thrown into the blazing furnace.
21. Then the three men were thrown into the blazing furnace. They were wearing their clothes, hats, and other clothing.
22. The king’s order was so urgent and the furnace was so extremely hot that the men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were killed by the flames from the fire.
23. So these three men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—fell into the blazing furnace. They were still tied up.