¹⁷ Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.^(A)

¹⁸ He urged them to plead for mercy^(A) from the God of heaven^(B) concerning this mystery,^(C) so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

⁴⁸ Then the king placed Daniel in a high^(A) position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.^(B)

⁴⁹ Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon,^(A) while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.^(B)