Be sure to give to the LORD
the best portions of the gifts given to you.
…because the king, in his anger,
had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace,
the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in.
…suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement…
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted.
“I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed!
And the fourth looks like a god!”
“…we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,
the God whom we serve is able to save us.
He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.
But even if he doesn’t,
we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty,
that we will never serve your gods
or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
And the LORD said to Moses,
“How long will these people treat me with contempt?
Will they never believe me,
even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?
He reveals deep and mysterious things
and knows what lies hidden in darkness,
though he is surrounded by light.
I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors,
for you have given me wisdom and strength…
…they camped or traveled at the LORD’s command,
and they did whatever the LORD told them…
…Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
He controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars.
May the LORD bless you
and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor
and give you his peace.