Dan 3:12

“Consider along with me the wickedness of those who were their accusers, and how maliciously and bitterly they brought the accusation!… They did not merely mention the nation, but they also bring to mind their [the Jews'] honorable positions, that they may inflame the wrath of the king. It is almost as if they had said, "These slaves, these captives, who are without a city, you have made rulers over us. But they show contempt for such an honor and treat insolently the one who has given them this honor!" They go on then to say, "The Jews whom you have set over the province of Babylon do not obey or serve your gods." The accusation becomes their greatest praise; and the crimes imputed, their encomium; a testimony that is unassailable as it is brought forward by their enemies.”

“Verse 12. "Now then, there are certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the affairs of the district of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who have despised thy decree" (the Vulgate reads: "those men of thine have despised the decree, O king"). To a certain extent their statement amounts to this: "Those captives and slaves whom thou hast preferred before us and hast made to be governors have lifted themselves up in pride and despise thine orders, not serving thy gods, and not worshipping the golden statue thou hast set up." The assertion we made at the commencement of the commentary on the vision is more abundantly proved in this passage, namely that the gods of Nebuchadnezzar were not to be identified with the golden statue which he had ordered to be erected for the worship of himself, for in what follows the king himself says:”

“When in Babylon an image had been made, And everyone against his will worshiped the lifeless things as though it were alive, Then, as Scripture tells, three youths, Having received in their hearts divine guidance, did not leave the straight path, For they considered the madness of many as a path that leads astray. And so the steadfast young men did not follow it. But, advancing on the straight road, always toward the truth, They mocked the trickery of the Persians, Or rather, the sainted boys mourned and lamented, For a righteous person does not rejoice over the destruction of another but with groans prays: "Hasten, Merciful One; and in compassion come quickly To our aid, since you are able to do what you will."”