19. The next morning King Darius got up at dawn and hurried to the lions’ den.
20. As he came near the den, he was worried. He called out to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Has your God that you always worship been able to save you from the lions?”
21. Daniel answered, “O king, live forever!
22. My God sent his angel to close the lions’ mouths. They have not hurt me, because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, O king.”
23. King Darius was very happy and told his servants to lift Daniel out of the lions’ den. So they lifted him out and did not find any injury on him, because Daniel had trusted in his God.
24. Then the king commanded that the men who had accused Daniel be brought to the lions’ den. They, their wives, and their children were thrown into the den. The lions grabbed them before they hit the floor of the den and crushed their bones.
25. Then King Darius wrote a letter to all people and all nations, to those who spoke every language in the world:I wish you great peace and wealth.
26. I am making a new law for people in every part of my kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the God of Daniel.Daniel’s God is the living God;he lives forever.His kingdom will never be destroyed,and his rule will never end.
27. God rescues and saves peopleand does mighty miraclesin heaven and on earth.He is the one who saved Danielfrom the power of the lions.
28. So Daniel was successful during the time Darius was king and when Cyrus the Persian was king.