12 Because of this, the king became furiously angry and gave orders to execute all the wise men of Babylon.
13 So the decree went out that the wise men were about to be slaughtered. They also sought Daniel and his companions to execute them.
14 Then Daniel spoke with tact and discretion to Arioch, who was captain of the king’s guard and who had set out to execute the wise men of Babylon.
15 He spoke up and said to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the king’s decree so urgent?” Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter.
16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to grant him time, so that he might disclose the interpretation to the king.
17 Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah about the matter
18 so they would request mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not perish along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.