The Daily Audio Bible
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6 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty governors, who should be over the whole kingdom;
2 And over these, three rulers, (of whom Daniel was one); that the governors might be accountable to them. And the king should be protected.
3 Now this Daniel was preferred above the rulers and governors, because the spirit was excellent in him. And the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 Therefore, the rulers and governors sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom. But they could find no charge or fault. For he was so faithful that there was no blame or fault found in him.
5 Then said these men, “We shall not find a charge against this Daniel, unless we find it against him concerning the Law of his God.”
6 Therefore, the rulers and these governors went together to the king, and said to him, “King Darius, live forever.
7 “All the rulers of your kingdom, the officers and governors, the counselors and dukes, have consulted together to make a decree for the king, and to establish a statute: that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
8 “Now, O king, confirm the decree, and seal the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which alters not.”
9 Therefore, king Darius sealed the writing and the decree.
10 Now when Daniel understood that he had sealed the writing, he went into his house, and his window being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and praised his God, as he always did.
11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying, and making supplication to his God.
12 So they came and spoke to the king concerning the king’s decree, “Have you not sealed the decree, that every man who shall make a request to any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered, and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which alters not.”
13 Then they answered, and said to the king, “This Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, does not regard you, O king, or the decree that you have sealed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 When the king heard these words, he was very displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel, to deliver him. And he labored till the Sun went down, to deliver him.
15 Then these men came together, and said to the king, “Understand, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is that no decree or statute which the king confirms, may be altered.”
16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Your God, whom you always serve, he will deliver you.”
17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his princes, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
18 Then the king went to his palace and fasted, and no instruments of music were brought before him, and he did not sleep.
19 Then the king arose early in the morning, and went quickly to the den of lions.
20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice to Daniel. And the king spoke, and said to Daniel, “O Daniel, the servant of the living God, was not your God (whom you always serve) able to deliver you from the lions?
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!
22 My God has sent his Angel and has shut the lion’s mouths. And they have not hurt me. For I was justified before him. And to you, O king, I have done no harm!”
23 Then was the King exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel out of the den. So, Daniel was brought out of the den, and no manner of harm was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
24 And by the commandment of the king, these men who had accused Daniel were brought, and were cast into the den of lions; they, their children, and their wives. And the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces, before they ever hit the ground of the den.
25 Afterward, King Darius wrote, “To all people, nations and languages, who dwell in all the world: Peace be multiplied to you.
26 “I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom, men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and remains forever. And his kingdom shall not perish. And his dominion shall be everlasting.
27 “He rescues and delivers. And he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus of Persia.
3 This second letter I now write to you, beloved (with which I stir up and warn your pure minds),
2 to remind you of the words which were foretold by the holy Prophets; and of the Commandment by us, the Apostles of the Lord and Savior.
3 First, understand this: that in the last days there shall come mockers, who will walk after their lusts
4 and say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the Fathers died, all things continue just as from the beginning of the creation.”
5 For of this they are willingly ignorant: that the heavens were of old; and the Earth—which was of the water and by the water—by the Word of God;
6 through which water the world that then existed perished, being flooded.
7 But the heavens and Earth which exist now are stored up by the same Word, and reserved for fire until the Day of Condemnation, and of the destruction of ungodly men.
8 Dearly beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing: that one day is as a thousand years with the Lord, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord of that promise is not slow as some think of slowness; but is patient toward us, and would have no one perish, but have all come to repentance.
10 But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, on which the heavens shall pass away with a great rushing noise and the elements shall melt with heat. And the Earth, with the works in it, shall be burnt up.
11 Therefore, seeing that all these things must be dissolved, what kind of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness
12 (expecting and earnestly desiring the coming of that Day of God by which the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with heat)?
13 But we look for new heavens and a new Earth (according to His promise), in which dwells righteousness.
14 Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
15 And consider that the patience of our Lord is salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him.
16 As in all his letters, he speaks of these things; among which, some things are hard to understand (which the unlearned and unstable twist, as they do other Scriptures to their own destruction).
17 Therefore you, beloved - seeing you know these things beforehand - beware, lest you are also plucked away with the error of the wicked and fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory, both now and forevermore. Amen.
PE
129 Your Testimonies are wonderful. Therefore, my soul keeps them.
130 The entrance into Your Words shows light and gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth and panted, because I loved Your Commandments.
132 Look upon me and be merciful to me, as you used to do to those who love Your Name.
133 Direct my steps in Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of men, and I will keep Your Precepts.
135 Show the light of Your Countenance upon Your servant; and teach me Your Statutes.
136 My eyes gush out with rivers of water because they do not keep Your Law.
TZADDI
137 Righteous are You, O LORD, and just are Your Judgments.
138 You have commanded justice by Your Testimonies and Truth, especially.
139 My zeal has even consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your Words.
140 Your Word is proved most pure. And Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your Precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. And Your Law is Truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me. Yet are the Commandments my delight.
144 The righteousness of Your Testimonies is everlasting. Grant me understanding, and I shall live.
KOPH
145 I have cried with my whole heart, “Hear me, O LORD, and I will keep Your Statutes!”
146 I called upon You, “Save me, and I will keep Your Testimonies!”
147 I arose before the morning light and cried, for I waited on Your Word.
148 My eyes are open before the night watches, to meditate on Your Word.
149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness, O LORD. Quicken me according to Your judgment.
150 They draw near who follow after malice; and are far from Your Law.
151 You are near, O LORD, for all Your Commandments are true.
152 I have long known by Your Testimonies that You have established them forever.
21 To have respect of persons is not good; because that man will transgress for a piece of bread.
22 A man with a wicked eye rushes to riches, and does not know that poverty shall come upon him.
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