Bible Verses

They were executed on the king’s orders, and Bel was handed over to Daniel, who destroyed the idol and its temple.

Enraged, the king ordered the priests, along with their wives and children, to be seized. They were forced to reveal the secret door they used to enter and consume the offerings on the table.

The king said: “I see footprints of men, women, and children.”

Daniel laughed, and, holding back the king from going in, he said: “But look at the floor and see whose footprints these are.”

As he opened the door, the king looked at the table and then exclaimed: “You are indeed great, O Bel. There is no deception in you.”

“Are the seals unbroken, Daniel?” the king asked. Daniel replied: “They are unbroken, O king.”

Early the next morning, the king went back to the temple with Daniel.

That night, the priests, along with their wives and children, came and, as usual, ate and drank the offerings.

When the priests had left, the king set the food before Bel, while Daniel instructed his servants to scatter ashes all over the temple floor. Then they left after closing the door and sealing it with the king’s ring.

They were confident because they had made a secret entrance under the table, through which they would enter to eat the food and drink the offerings.