Chapter 58

¹ For the king set before them three demands in a single speech, as though to men contending for three prizes, so that, ensnaring them by even one saying, he might trip them up.

² But they answered nobly to all three, unwilling to be defeated in any.

³ For first they set the king’s word at nothing, showing that the idol worshiped by him was not worthy even of a word.

⁴ And in the second place they taught the king whom one must fear and worship, saying: “There is a God whom we serve, able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.”

⁵ Then, in the third place, wishing to display their own faith, they declared: “But even if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, and we do not worship the golden image which you have set up.”

⁶ For this is what they secured by their declaration: lest, once they had been cast into the furnace and burned up, the Chaldeans should boast and deceive the king, saying, “Do not grieve, O king; you have conquered and won the prize against them; for they cried out as they burned in the fire and said: We beg you, lord king, we will do what is commanded by you, we will worship the image.”

⁷ Therefore, that even after death they might be called faithful martyrs, they secured themselves in every way, unwilling to give the devil any occasion for a foothold.

⁸ For they referred all authority and glory to God, believing that he is able to deliver us; “but if he is not willing, we would rather die gladly than do what is commanded by you.”