How do the three companions respond to the king’s threat?

Nabuchodonosor sets up a gold statue sixty cubits high and six broad in Babylon's plain of Dura. Nobles, magistrates, judges, captains, rulers, governors and provincial chief men assemble for its dedication. A herald orders all nations, tribes and languages to fall and adore it when trumpet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, symphony and other music sound; refusal means the burning furnace that same hour. The assembled peoples bow. Chaldeans accuse Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago, appointed over Babylon's provincial works, of disregarding the decree and worshipping neither the king's gods nor the statue.

The furious king summons them and offers another opportunity, asking what god can deliver them from his hand if they refuse. They answer that they have no occasion to answer concerning this matter: their God can save them, but even if he will not, they will neither worship the king's gods nor adore the statue. The king orders the furnace heated seven times its customary heat. His strongest soldiers bind the men and cast them in with coats, caps, shoes and garments. The urgent command and extreme flame kill those casting them in; the three fall bound into the furnace and walk among its flames praising God.

The edition reports Jerome's observation that the passage from this verse to verse 91 was absent from the Hebrew text of his time, while present in all Greek Bibles. It treats earlier inclusion in Hebrew or Chaldaic as probable, while affirming the passage's longstanding canonical reception in the Church's liturgy and divine offices.

Azarias stands in the fire and blesses the God of their fathers. He calls God's works, ways and judgments true, acknowledging that Jerusalem's sufferings came for their sins, disobedience and departure from God. Delivered to unjust enemies and a wicked king, they are ashamed. He pleads that God preserve his covenant and mercy for Abraham, Isaac and Israel, whose descendants were promised abundance like stars and sand. Diminished by sin and without prince, leader, prophet, holocaust, sacrifice, oblation, incense or place of firstfruits, they ask acceptance through a contrite heart and humble spirit, as with rams, bullocks and thousands of lambs. They follow with their whole heart and seek mercy, deliverance and God's glory, asking that those harming his servants be confounded and know him as the only God.

Servants continue heating the furnace with brimstone, tow, pitch and dry sticks. Flames rise forty-nine cubits and burn Chaldeans nearby. The Lord's angel descends with Azarias and his companions, drives out the flame and makes the furnace like a wind bringing dew. The fire neither touches nor troubles nor harms them.

Together the three bless God's name, temple, throne, presence above the cherubim and heavenly firmament. Their canticle summons all the Lord's works: angels, heavens, waters above the heavens, powers, sun, moon, stars, showers, dew and spirits of God; fire and heat, cold and heat, hoarfrost, frost, ice, snow, nights, days, light, darkness, lightning and clouds; earth, mountains, hills, growing things, fountains, seas, rivers, whales and moving water creatures, birds, beasts and cattle. Sons of men, Israel, priests, servants, just souls, the holy and humble, and Ananias, Azarias and Misael are called to praise him. They acknowledge deliverance from hell, death and flame and give thanks for his goodness and everlasting mercy.

Astonished, the king asks whether three bound men entered the fire: he now sees four loose and unharmed, the fourth's form like the son of God. He calls the three out as servants of the Most High. Officials find no singed hair, altered clothing or smell of fire. The king blesses their God for sending his angel and delivering those who gave up their bodies rather than adore another god. He decrees destruction and wasted houses for any people, tribe or tongue speaking blasphemy against their God, and promotes the three in Babylon.

The chapter closes with his greeting of peace to all peoples, nations and tongues and his wish to publish the Most High's great signs and mighty wonders, everlasting kingdom and power through generations. The edition explains these last three verses as the preface to the following chapter's royal letter.