¹⁴ Daniel sent an answer tempered with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, who was ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon. ¹⁵ He asked Arioch the king's captain: Why is the decree so urgent from the king? Then Arioch explained it to Daniel. ¹⁶ Daniel made an appointment with the king so he could show the king the interpretation.

¹⁷ Then Daniel went back to his house, and explained everything to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: ¹⁸ that they would request mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret. And they would request that Daniel and his companions would not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. ¹⁹ The secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Daniel praised the God of heaven. ²⁰ Daniel said: Praise be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are his. ²¹ He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to the discerning. ²² He reveals the deep and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. ²³ I thank you, and praise you, O God of my fathers. You have given me wisdom and might. You have made known to me what we desired from you. For you have made known to us the king's situation.