Monday in Season after Pentecost

34Verse 34. Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35Verse 35. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 36Verse 36. Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out through all the stages of their journey. 37Verse 37. If the cloud was not lifted, they would not set out until the day it was taken up. 38Verse 38. For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel through all their journeys.

1Verse 1. King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2Verse 2. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other officials of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3Verse 3. So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. 4Verse 4. Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “O people of every nation and language, this is what you are commanded: 5Verse 5. As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6Verse 6. And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.” 7Verse 7. Therefore, as soon as all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and all kinds of music, the people of every nation and language would fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8Verse 8. At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews, 9Verse 9. saying to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, may you live forever! 10Verse 10. You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue, 11Verse 11. and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace. 12Verse 12. But there are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — who have ignored you, O king, and have refused to serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.” 13Verse 13. Then Nebuchadnezzar, furious with rage, summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14Verse 14. and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up? 15Verse 15. Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?” 16Verse 16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17Verse 17. If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. 18Verse 18. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”