19
Then laughed Daniel, and held the king that he should not go in, and said, Behold now the pavement, and mark well whose footsteps are these.
20
And the king said, I see the footsteps of men, women, and children. And then the king was angry,
21
And took the priests with their wives and children, who shewed him the privy doors, where they came in, and consumed such things as were upon the table.
22
Therefore the king slew them, and delivered Bel into Daniel's power, who destroyed him and his temple.
23
And in that same place there was a great dragon, which they of Babylon worshipped.
24
And the king said unto Daniel, Wilt thou also say that this is of brass? lo, he liveth, he eateth and drinketh; thou canst not say that he is no living god: therefore worship him.
25
Then said Daniel unto the king, I will worship the Lord my God: for he is the living God.
26
But give me leave, O king, and I shall slay this dragon without sword or staff. The king said, I give thee leave.
27
Then Daniel took pitch, and fat, and hair, and did seethe them together, and made lumps thereof: this he put in the dragon's mouth, and so the dragon burst in sunder: and Daniel said, Lo, these are the gods ye worship.
28
When they of Babylon heard that, they took great indignation, and conspired against the king, saying, The king is become a Jew, and he hath destroyed Bel, he hath slain the dragon, and put the priests to death.
29
So they came to the king, and said, Deliver us Daniel, or else we will destroy thee and thine house.