12 Because of this the king became angry, and he became very much enraged, and he said that all the wise men of Babylon are to be destroyed.
13 And the decree was issued, and the wise men were on the verge of being executed, and they searched for Daniel and his companions to be executed.
14 Then Daniel responded prudently and discretely to Arioch, the commander of the imperial guard of the king, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon.
15 He asked and said to Arioch, the royal official of the king, “Why is the decree from the king so severe?” Then Arioch explained the matter to Daniel.
16 And Daniel went in and requested from the king that he would give him time, and he would tell the king the explanation.
17 Then Daniel went to his home, and he made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, his companions,
18 and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions, along with the remainder of the wise men of Babylon, would not be killed.