Bel 1:1-9

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.
8 So the king was wroth, and called for his priests and said unto them, "If ye tell me not who this is that devoureth these expenses, ye shall die.
9 But if ye can certify me that Bel devoureth them, then Daniel shall die; for he hath spoken blasphemy against Bel." And Daniel said unto the king, "Let it be according to thy word."
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.