10. The Chaldeans answered the king: “There is not a man on earth who can do what you ask, O king; never has any king, however great and mighty, asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or Chaldean.
11. What you demand, O king, is too difficult; there is no one who can tell it to the king except the gods, who do not dwell among people of flesh.”
12. At this the king became violently angry and ordered all the wise men of Babylon to be put to death.
13. When the decree was issued that the wise men should be slain, Daniel and his companions were also sought out.
14. Then Daniel prudently took counsel with Arioch, the chief of the king’s guard, who had set out to kill the wise men of Babylon.
15. He asked Arioch, the officer of the king, “What is the reason for this harsh order from the king?” When Arioch told him,
16. Daniel went and asked for time from the king, that he might give him the interpretation.
17. Daniel went home and informed his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,