FACING THE FIRE [PTR. MICHAEL SHREVE]

But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king,
that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the
golden image that you have set up!”

Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and his
facial expression changed toward Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abed-nego. Then he gave a command that the furnace
was to be heated seven [c]times hotter than usual.

He commanded certain strong men in his army to
tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego and to
throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.

Then these [three] men were tied up in their trousers,
their coats, their turbans, and their other clothes, and
were thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire.

Because the king’s command was urgent and the
furnace was extremely hot, the flame of the fire killed
the men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego,
fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king [looked and] was astounded,
and he jumped up and said to his counselors, “Did we not
throw three men who were tied up into the midst of the fire?”
They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.”

He answered, “Look! I see four men untied, walking around
in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt! And the appearance
of the fourth is like [d]a son of the gods!”

Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing
furnace and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego,
servants of the Most High God, come out [of there]! Come here!”
Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego came out of the midst
of the fire.

The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king’s
counselors gathered around them and saw that in regard
to these men the fire had no effect on