[3:8] It was then that some Babylonians took the opportunity to denounce the Jews.
[3:9] They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May Your Majesty live forever!
[3:10] Your Majesty has issued an order that as soon as the music starts, everyone is to bow down and worship the gold statue,
[3:11] and that anyone who does not bow down and worship it is to be thrown into a blazing furnace.
[3:12] There are some Jews whom you put in charge of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who are disobeying Your Majesty's orders. They do not worship your god or bow down to the statue you set up.”
[3:13] At that, the king flew into a rage and ordered the three men to be brought before him.
[3:14] He said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you refuse to worship my god and to bow down to the gold statue I have set up?
[3:15] Now then, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, oboes, lyres, zithers, harps, and all the other instruments, bow down and worship the statue. If you do not, you will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. Do you think there is any god who can save you?”
[3:16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, “Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves.
[3:17] If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will.
[3:18] But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty may be sure that we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up.”