He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

As for the rest of the beasts, their ruling authority had already been removed, though they were permitted to go on living for a time and a season.

But you should go your way until the end. You will rest and then at the end of the days you will arise to receive what you have been allotted."