11. What the king is asking is so difficult that no one can make it known to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”
12. Because of this, the king became violently angry and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
13. The decree was issued that the wise men were to be executed, and they searched for Daniel and his friends, to execute them.
14. Then Daniel responded with tact and discretion to Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon.
15. He asked Arioch, the king’s officer, “Why is the decree from the king so harsh? ” Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel.
16. So Daniel went and asked the king to give him some time, so that he could give the king the interpretation.
17. Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the matter,
18. urging them to ask the God of heaven for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of Babylon’s wise men.
19. The mystery was then revealed to Daniel in a vision at night, and Daniel praised the God of heaven
20. and declared:May the name of Godbe praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.
21. He changes the times and seasons;He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wiseand knowledge to thosewho have understanding.
22. He reveals the deep and hidden things;He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.
23. I offer thanks and praise to You,God of my fathers, because You have given mewisdom and power.And now You have let me knowwhat we asked of You,for You have let us know the king’s mystery.
24. Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had assigned to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He came and said to him, “Don’t kill the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will give him the interpretation.”
25. Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king and said to him, “I have found a man among the Judean exiles who can let the king know the interpretation.”