^{4 Ref} Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

^{5 Ref} Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

^{6 Ref} Then these presidents and satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus to him, King Darius, live forever.

^{7 Ref} All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

^{8 Ref} Now, O king, establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter.

^{9 Ref} Therefore king Darius signed the writing and the interdict.

^{10 Ref} When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.

^{11 Ref} Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.

^{12 Ref} Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king's interdict: Haven't you signed an interdict, that every man who shall make petition to any god or man within thirty days, save to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter.

^{13 Ref} Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesn't regard you, O king, nor the interdict that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.