2 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was first, so that the officials might give accounts to them and the king not suffer loss.
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and officials because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 Then the presidents and officials sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no occasion or fault because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
6 Then these presidents and officials assembled together to the king, and said to him: “King Darius, live forever!
7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the officials, the counselors, and the captains have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, that it not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered.”