¹⁷ A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed^(A) it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. ¹⁸ Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating^(B) and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.^(C)

¹⁹ At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.