Daniel and the Lions' Den
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It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom q 120 r satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom;
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and over them s three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these r satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss.
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Then this Daniel became t distinguished above all s the other presidents and r satraps, because u an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned v to set him over the whole kingdom.
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Then s the presidents and r the satraps w sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, x but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, x and no error or fault was found in him.
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Then these men said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God."
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Then these s presidents and r satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, "O y King Darius, live forever!
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All the s presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the z counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an a injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
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Now, O king, establish a the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to b the law of c the Medes and the Persians, d which cannot be revoked."
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Therefore King Darius signed the document and a injunction.
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When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where e he had windows in his upper chamber open f toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees g three times a day and prayed and h gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
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Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.
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Then they i came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, "O king! Did you not sign j an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of c the Medes and Persians, d which cannot be revoked."
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Then they answered and said before the king, k "Daniel, who is one l of the exiles k from Judah, m pays no attention to you, O king, or j the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition g three times a day."
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Then n the king, when he heard these words, n was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him.
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Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no j injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed."
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Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, "May o your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!"
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p And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, q and the king sealed it r with his own signet and with the signet of his s lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
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Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; t no diversions were brought to him, and u sleep fled from him.
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Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.
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As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of v the living God, o has your God, whom you serve continually, w been able to deliver you from the lions?"
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Then Daniel said to the king, x "O king, live forever!
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My God y sent his angel z and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless a before him; a and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."
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Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and b no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
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And the king commanded, and c those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions - they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.
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Then King Darius wrote to all d the peoples, nations, and languages e that dwell in all the earth: f "Peace be multiplied to you.
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g I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion h people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for i he is j the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
j and his dominion shall be k to the end.
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He delivers and rescues;
he works l signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
he who has m saved Daniel
from the power of the lions."
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So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and n the reign of o Cyrus the Persian.
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Cross References
Esther 1:1
Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces.
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Cross References
Daniel 3:2
Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
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Cross References
Daniel 5:7
The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Daniel 5:16
But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Daniel 5:29
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:1
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom.
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Cross References
Esther 3:1
After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:2
And over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:1
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom.
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Cross References
Daniel 5:12
Because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.
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Cross References
Genesis 41:40
You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.
Esther 10:3
For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:2
And over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:1
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom.
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Cross References
Ecclesiastes 4:4
Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
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Cross References
Ezekiel 14:14
Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God.
Ezekiel 14:20
Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, declares the Lord God, they would deliver neither son nor daughter. They would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness.
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Cross References
Ezekiel 14:14
Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God.
Ezekiel 14:20
Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, declares the Lord God, they would deliver neither son nor daughter. They would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:2
And over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:1
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:21
Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever!
Daniel 2:4
Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, "O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:2
And over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss.
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Cross References
Daniel 3:24
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king.
Daniel 4:36
At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:12 - 13
Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, "O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.
Daniel 6:15
Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:7
All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:12
Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, "O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.
Daniel 6:15
Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.
Esther 1:19
If it please the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be repealed, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.
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Cross References
Daniel 8:20
As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:15
Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.
Esther 8:8
But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king's ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:7
All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
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Cross References
Psalms 137:5
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!
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Cross References
Psalms 28:2
Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.
Psalms 138:2
I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
1 Kings 8:48
If they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name.
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Cross References
Psalms 55:17
Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
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Cross References
Daniel 2:23
To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.
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Cross References
Daniel 3:8
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:7 - 8
All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
Daniel 6:9
Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:8
Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:8
Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.
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Cross References
Daniel 1:6
Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah.
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Cross References
Daniel 1:6
Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah.
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Cross References
Daniel 2:25
Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: "I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.
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Cross References
Daniel 3:12
There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:12
Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, "O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:10
When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
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Cross References
Matthew 14:9
And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given.
Mark 6:26
And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.
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Cross References
Matthew 14:9
And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given.
Mark 6:26
And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:12
Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, "O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.
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Cross References
Acts 27:23
For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship.
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Cross References
Lamentations 3:53
They flung me alive into the pit and cast stones on me.
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Cross References
Matthew 27:66
So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
Revelation 20:3
And threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.
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Cross References
Esther 3:12
Then the king's scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king's satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king's signet ring.
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Cross References
Daniel 4:36
At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.
Daniel 5:1
King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.
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Cross References
Proverbs 25:20
Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.
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Cross References
Esther 6:1
On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
Daniel 2:1
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:26
I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:16
Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!
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Cross References
Daniel 3:15
Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?
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Cross References
Daniel 2:4
Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, "O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.
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Cross References
Daniel 3:28
Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
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Cross References
Hebrews 11:33
Who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
Psalms 22:21
Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:4
Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:4
Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.
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Cross References
Daniel 3:25
He answered and said, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 19:19
Then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
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Cross References
Daniel 3:4
And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages.
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Cross References
Daniel 4:1
King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you!
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Cross References
Daniel 4:1
King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you!
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Cross References
Daniel 3:10
You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image.
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Cross References
Daniel 5:19
And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled.
Psalms 99:1
The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
Ecclesiastes 12:13
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
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Cross References
Daniel 6:20
As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?
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Cross References
Daniel 4:34
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
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Cross References
Daniel 4:34
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
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Cross References
Daniel 7:26
But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
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Cross References
Daniel 4:2
It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.
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Cross References
Daniel 3:28 - 29
Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
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Cross References
Daniel 1:21
And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 36:22 - 23
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, ...
Ezra 1:2
Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the G...
Ezra 4:3
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the hea...
Ezra 4:5
And bribed counselors against them to frustrate...
Ezra 6:3
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the ...
Ezra 6:14
And the elders of the Jews built and prospered ...
Isaiah 44:28
Who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he s...
Isaiah 45:1
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, w...
Daniel 1:21
And Daniel was there until the first year of Ki...
Daniel 10:1
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a wor...
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.