Sometimes translators inject their doubt directly into the Bible. Verse 17 is their declaration of intent, if Nebuchadnezzar should choose not to throw them into the fire.


KJV:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

HCSB:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question.
17If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king.
18But even if He does not rescue us,w we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”