12-13. This made the king so angry that he gave orders for every wise man in Babylonia to be put to death, including Daniel and his three friends.
14. Arioch was the king's official in charge of putting the wise men to death. He was on his way to have it done, when Daniel very wisely went to him
15. and asked, “Why did the king give such cruel orders?” After Arioch explained what had happened,
16. Daniel rushed off and said to the king, “If you will just give me some time, I'll explain your dream.”
17. Daniel returned home and told his three friends.
18. Then he said, “Pray that the God who rules from heaven will be merciful and explain this mystery, so that we and the others won't be put to death.”
19. In a vision one night, Daniel was shown the dream and its meaning. Then he praised the God who rules from heaven:
20. “Our God, your namewill be praisedfor ever and for ever.You are all-powerful,and you know everything.
21. You control human events—you give rulers their powerand take it away,and you are the sourceof wisdom and knowledge.
22. “You explain deep mysteries,because even the darkis light to you.
23. You are the Godwho was worshippedby my ancestors.Now I thank you and praise youfor making me wiseand telling me the king's dream,together with its meaning.”