1 Darius thought it would be a good idea to choose 120 Governors to rule throughout his Kingdom. 2 Then he chose three men to rule over the 120 Governors. Daniel was one of these three Rulers. The King put these men in this position to keep anyone from cheating him and causing him to suffer a loss. 3 Daniel proved himself to be a better supervising Ruler than any of the others, because of his good character, great ability and the excellent Spirit that was in him. Infact the King was so impressed with Daniel that he planned to make him the Chief-Ruler over the whole Kingdom.
4 But when the other supervisors and the leaders heard about this, they were very jealous, and tried to find reasons to accuse Daniel. So they watched what Daniel did as he went about doing the business of the government. But they couldn't accuse him of doing anything wrong, for there was no negligence or corruption in him. People trusted Daniel for he didn't cheat the King and he worked very hard.
5 So finally, they said, “We will never find any reason to accuse Daniel of doing something wrong. So we must find something to complain about that is connected to the Law of his Alahim.” (THE LAW OF MOSES) 6 So the two other supervisors and the Governors went as a group to the King.
They said, “King Darius, live forever! 7 The supervisors, prefects, advisors, and governors have all agreed on something. We think that the King should make this law and that everyone must obey it: For the next 30 days, whoever prays to any deity or man except you, our King, will be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, King, make the law and sign the paper it's written on so that it cannot be changed, because the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be canceled or changed.”
9 So King Darius made the law and signed it.
10 Daniel always prayed to Alahim three times every day. So even though he'd heard about the new law, he still went to the upper room of his house and opened the windows that faced toward Jerusalem. Then Daniel bowed down on his knees and prayed just as he'd always done.
11 Then the supervisors and leaders went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking Alahim for help. 12 So they went to the King and talked to him about the law he'd made. They said, “King Darius, you signed a law that says, for the next 30 days anyone who prays to any Alahim or man except you, O' King, would be thrown into the lions’ den. You did sign that law, didn’t you?”
The King answered, “Yes, I signed that law, and the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be canceled or changed.” 13 Then they said to the King, “That man Daniel is not paying any attention to you. He's one of the captives from Judah, and he's not obeying the law you signed. Daniel still prays to his Alahim three times every day.”
14 The King became very sad and upset when he heard this. He decided to save Daniel. He worked until sunset trying to think of a way to deliver him from the death penalty.15 Then the men went as a group to the King and said to him, “Remember, O'King, that the law of the Medes and Persians says that no law or command signed by the King can ever be cancelled or changed.”
16 So King Darius gave the order and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The King said to Daniel, “May the Alahim you serve deliver you!” 17 A big rock was brought and put over the opening of the lions’ den. Then the King used his ring and put his seal on the rock, showing that no one could move the rock and bring Daniel out. 18 Then King Darius went back to his house and refused to eat that night. He didn't want anyone to come and entertain him either, and he couldn't sleep all night.
19 The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. 20 He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living Alahim, has the Alahim you serve delivered you from the lions?
21 Daniel calmly answered, “King, live forever! 22 My Alahim sent His Angel to deliver me and close the lions’ mouths, so they haven't hurt me, because my Alahim knows I'm innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, O'King.”
23 King Darius was very happy. He told his servants to lift Daniel out of the lions’ den. And when Daniel was lifted out of the den, they did not find any injury on his body. The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his Alahim.
24 Then the King gave a command to bring the Leaders who had accused Daniel to the lions’ den. Then those men, their wives and children were thrown into the lions’ den. And the lions ravaged them before they even hit the floor, devouring their bodies and chewing on their bones.
25 Then King Darius wrote this letter to all the people from other nations and languages around the world: "Greetings: 26 I'm making a new law for people in every part of my Kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the Alahim of Daniel, for He is the living Alahim and steadfast forever. His Kingdom will never be destroyed and His rule will never end!" 27 Alahim helps and delivers people. He does amazing miracles in Heaven and on earth. He delivered Daniel from the lions' den". 28 So Daniel was successful during the time Darius was King and also when Cyrus the Persian was King.
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