"But [even] if[He does] not, let it be knownto you, O king,that we are not going to serveyour godsor worshipthe goldenimagethat you have setup."
Then he said,"I have beenveryzealousfor the LORD,the Godof hosts;for the sonsof Israelhave forsakenYour covenant,torndownYour altarsand killedYour prophetswith the sword.And I aloneam left;and they seekmy life,to takeit away."
"Yet I will leave7000in Israel,allthe kneesthat have not bowedto Baaland everymouththat has not kissedhim."
"ThoughHe slayme, I will hopein Him. NeverthelessI will arguemy waysbeforeHim.
The wickedfleewhen nooneis pursuing,But the righteousare boldas a lion.
Nebuchadnezzarrespondedand said,"Blessedbe the Godof Shadrach,Meshachand Abed-nego,whohas sentHis angeland deliveredHis servantswhoputtheir trustin Him, violatingthe king'scommand,and yieldedup their bodiessoas not to serveor worshipanygodexcepttheir own God.
Do not turnto idolsor makefor yourselves moltengods;I am the LORDyour God.
"Do not fearthosewho killthe bodybut are unableto killthe soul;but ratherfearHim who is ableto destroybothsouland bodyin hell.
"He who has foundhis lifewill loseit, and he who has losthis lifefor My sakewill findit.
But He repliedto them, "When it is evening,you say,'[It will be] fair weather,for the skyis red.'
But Peterand Johnansweredand saidto them, "Whetherit is rightin the sightof Godto give heedto you ratherthanto God,you be the judge;
choosingratherto endure ill-treatmentwith the peopleof Godthanto enjoythe passingpleasuresof sin,
"Ifit is disagreeablein your sightto servethe LORD,choosefor yourselves todaywhomyou will serve:whetherthe godswhichyour fathersservedwhichwere beyondthe River,or the godsof the Amoritesin whoselandyou are living;but as for me and my house,we will servethe LORD."
"And they overcamehim becauseof the bloodof the Lamband becauseof the wordof their testimony,and they did not lovetheir lifeeven whenfaced with death.
