3. So they all came for the special service and stood in front of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4. Then the man who made announcements for the king said in a loud voice, “People, nations, and those of every language, this is what you are commanded to do:
5. When you hear the sound of the horns, flutes, lyres, zithers, harps, pipes, and all the other musical instruments, you must bow down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6. Anyone who doesn’t bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
7. Now people, nations, and those who spoke every language were there. When they heard the sound of the horns, flutes, lyres, zithers, pipes, and all the other musical instruments, they bowed down and worshiped the gold statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8. Then some Babylonians came up to the king and began speaking against the men of Judah.
9. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever!
10. O king, you gave a command that everyone who heard the horns, lyres, zithers, harps, pipes, and all the other musical instruments would have to bow down and worship the gold statue.
11. Anyone who wouldn’t do this was to be thrown into a blazing furnace.
12. O king, there are some men of Judah whom you made officers in the area of Babylon that did not pay attention to your order. Their names are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They do not serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”
13. Nebuchadnezzar became very angry and called for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When they were brought to the king,
14. Nebuchadnezzar said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods nor worship the gold statue I have set up?
15. In a moment you will again hear the sound of the horns, flutes, lyres, zithers, harps, pipes, and all the other musical instruments. If you bow down and worship the statue I made, that will be good. But if you do not worship it, you will immediately be thrown into the blazing furnace. What god will be able to save you from my power then?”
16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, saying, “Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves to you.
17. If you throw us into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from the furnace. He will save us from your power, O king.
18. But even if God does not save us, we want you, O king, to know this: We will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
19. Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and he changed his mind. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual.