13
They were unconcerned, for beneath the table they had made a hidden entrance, through which they used to go in regularly and consume the provisions.
14
After they had gone out, the king set out the food for Bel. Then Daniel ordered his servants to bring ashes, and they scattered them throughout the whole temple in the presence of the king alone. Then they went out, shut the door and sealed it with the king's signet, and departed.
15
During the night the priests came as usual, with their wives and children, and they ate and drank everything.
16
Early in the morning the king rose and came, and Daniel with him.
17
The king said, "Are the seals unbroken, Daniel?" He answered, "They are unbroken, O king."
18
As soon as the doors were opened, the king looked at the table, and shouted in a loud voice, "You are great, O Bel, and in you there is no deceit at all!"
19
But Daniel laughed and restrained the king from going in. "Look at the floor," he said, "and notice whose footprints these are."
20
The king said, "I see the footprints of men and women and children."
21
Then the king was enraged, and he arrested the priests and their wives and children. They showed him the secret doors through which they used to enter to consume what was on the table.
22
Therefore the king put them to death, and gave Bel over to Daniel, who destroyed it and its temple.
23
Now in that place there was a great dragon, which the Babylonians revered.