2. It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the whole kingdom
3. with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. These satraps were accountable to them so that the king would not be troubled.
4. Now this Daniel was distinguishing himself among the supervisors and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit in him. In fact, the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.
5. At this time the supervisors and satraps tried to find ground for a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they were unable to find fault or corruption, because he was trustworthy and no negligence or dishonesty could be found in him.
6. Finally these men said, “We’re not going to find any basis for charges against this man Daniel, unless we find something against him regarding the law of his God.”
7. So these supervisors and satraps went in to the king as a group, and said to him, “King Darius, live forever!
8. All the supervisors of the realm, the magistrates and satraps, ministers and governors, have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce a decree that anyone who prays to any god or man for 30 days other than you O king, will be cast into the lions’ den.
9. Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it may not be altered, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
10. Thereupon King Darius issued the written decree.
11. Now when Daniel learned that a written decree had been issued, he went into his house, where the windows in his upper room opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt down, prayed and gave thanks before his God, just as he did before.
12. Then these men came as a group and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.