To all the supervisors of the kingdom, the prefects, satraps, counselors, and governors it seemed like a good idea for a royal edict to be issued and an interdict to be enforced. For the next thirty days anyone who prays ¹  to any god or human other than you, O king, should be thrown into a den of lions.

“Dominion ¹  and awesome might ²  belong to ³  God; he establishes peace in his heights. ⁴ 

Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, ¹  gained what was promised, ²  shut the mouths of lions,

Then some soldiers ¹  also asked him, “And as for us – what should we do?” ²  He told them, “Take money from no one by violence ³  or by false accusation, ⁴  and be content with your pay.”