1
And King Astyages was gathered to his fathers, and Cyrus of Persia received his kingdom.
2
And Daniel was a confidant of the king, and was honored above all his friends.
3
Now the Babylonians had an idol called Bel, and there were spent upon him every day twelve great measures of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine.
4
And the king worshiped it and went daily to adore it; but Daniel worshiped his own God. And the king said unto him, "Why dost not thou worship Bel?"
5
He answered and said, "Because I may not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who hath created the heaven and the earth and hath sovereignty over all flesh."
6
Then said the king unto him, "Thinkest thou not that Bel is a living god? Seest thou not how much he eateth and drinketh every day?"
7
Then Daniel smiled and said, "O king, be not deceived; for this is but clay within and brass without, and did never eat or drink any thing.