^16 (A)Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. ^17 [a]If it be so, our ^(B)God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; ^[b]and ^(C)He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ^18 (D)But even if He does not, ^(E)let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”