Daniel 6:1-12 - Daniel's Integrity And His Entrapment By His Enemies

¹ It was pleasing before Darius, that he should set up over the kingdom, a hundred and twenty satraps, - that they should be over all the kingdom; ² and, over these, three confidential ministers, of whom, Daniel, was first, - that, to them, these satraps should render an account, and, the king, not be suffering loss. ³ Then, this Daniel, signalised himself, above the ministers and the satraps, because, a distinguished spirit, was in him, and, the king, thought to set him up over all the kingdom, ⁴ Then, the ministers and the satraps, began seeking to find, occasion, against Daniel, in respect of the kingdom, - but, no occasion nor wickedness, could they find, inasmuch as, faithful, was he, and, neither error nor wickedness, could be found against him. ⁵ Then, these men, were saying, We shall not find against this Daniel, any occasion; unless we find it against him in respect of the law of his God.

⁶ Then, these ministers and satraps, crowded together unto the king, - and, thus, were saying to him, O Darius the king! for ages, live! ⁷ All the ministers of the kingdom, the nobles and satraps, the near friends and the pashas, have consulted together, to establish a royal statute, and to confirm an interdict, - That, whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man, for thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. ⁸ Now, O king! wilt thou establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it may not be changed - according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be abolished, ⁹ Wherefore, King Darius, signed the writing and the interdict.

¹⁰ But, Daniel, when he knew that the writing, was signed, went to his own house, and, the windows being opened to him, in his chamber, toward Jerusalem, three times a day, was he kneeling upon his knees, and praying and giving thanks before his God, in like manner as he had been doing aforetime. ¹¹ Then, these men, crowded together, and found Daniel, - praying and making supplication, before his God. ¹² Then drew they near, and began to speak before the king, concerning the royal interdict, Didst thou not sign, an interdict, that, any man who should petition of any God or man, for thirty days, save of thee, O king, should be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, Certain is the thing - according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be abolished.