It was then that some Babylonians took the opportunity to denounce the Jews.

Your Majesty has issued an order that as soon as the music starts, everyone is to bow down and worship the gold statue,

There are some Jews whom you put in charge of the province of Babylon---Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego---who are disobeying Your Majesty's orders. They do not worship your god or bow down to the statue you set up."

When her owners realized that their chance of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them to the authorities in the public square.

Upon receiving this order, the jailer threw them into the inner cell and fastened their feet between heavy blocks of wood.

Then Paul was called in, and Tertullus began to make his accusation, as follows: "Your Excellency! Your wise leadership has brought us a long period of peace, and many necessary reforms are being made for the good of our country.

I do not want to take up too much of your time, however, so I beg you to be kind and listen to our brief account.

He also tried to defile the Temple, and we arrested him.

If you question this man, you yourself will be able to learn from him all the things that we are accusing him of."

So let Your Majesty issue this order and sign it, and it will be in force, a law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed."

If it please Your Majesty, issue a royal proclamation that Vashti may never again appear before the king. Have it written into the laws of Persia and Media, so that it can never be changed. Then give her place as queen to some better woman.