5. But the king replied, “No! I have made up my mind. If you don't tell me both the dream and its meaning, you will be chopped to pieces and your houses will be torn down.
6. However, if you do tell me both the dream and its meaning, you will be greatly rewarded and highly honoured. Now tell me the dream and explain what it means.”
7. “Your Majesty,” they said, “if you will only tell us your dream, we will interpret it for you.”
8. The king replied, “You're just stalling for time,
9. because you know what's going to happen if you don't come up with the answer. You've decided to make up a pack of lies, hoping I might change my mind. Now tell me the dream, and that will prove that you can interpret it.”
10. His advisers explained, “Your Majesty, you are demanding the impossible! No king, not even the most famous and powerful, has ever ordered his advisers, magicians, or wise men to do such a thing.
11. It can't be done, except by the gods, and they don't live here on earth.”
12-13. This made the king so angry that he gave orders for every wise man in Babylonia to be put to death, including Daniel and his three friends.
14. Arioch was the king's official in charge of putting the wise men to death. He was on his way to have it done, when Daniel very wisely went to him
15. and asked, “Why did the king give such cruel orders?” After Arioch explained what had happened,
16. Daniel rushed off and said to the king, “If you will just give me some time, I'll explain your dream.”