King James Version (KJV)
But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
Modern English
But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”
Hebrew
וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ וְלֹֽא־עָנ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ דָּבָ֑ר כִּֽי־מִצְוַ֨ת הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ הִ֛יא לֵאמֹ֖ר לֹ֥א תַעֲנֻֽהוּ׃
vayaḥariyshv vloʾ-ʿanv ʾotvo dabar kiy-miṣvat hamelek hiyʾ leʾmor loʾ taʿanuhv