Daniel 6:1-9

Evangelical Heritage Version

Daniel Is Rescued From the Lions’ Den

6 It seemed like a good plan to Darius to appoint one hundred twenty satraps over the kingdom. They were to rule throughout the kingdom. ² Above them there would be three supervisors (Daniel was one of them) to whom these satraps would report, so that the king would not suffer any loss. ³ It came about that this Daniel distinguished himself above the supervisors and satraps, because there was an outstanding spirit in him. So the king intended to promote him so that he would be in charge of the entire kingdom.

⁴ Then the supervisors and satraps kept trying to find a basis for an accusation against Daniel in regard to his administration of the kingdom. However, they were unable to come up with an accusation or any evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy and no neglect of duty or evidence of corruption could be found against him. ⁵ Then these men said, “We will not find any accusation to bring against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

⁶ So these supervisors and satraps came as a group to the king and said this to him, “Darius, Your Majesty, may you live forever! ⁷ All the supervisors of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the advisors and the governors advise the king to establish and enforce a decree that prohibits anyone to pray a prayer to any god or person for thirty days except to you, Your Majesty. Anyone who does so will be thrown into the den^[a] of lions. ⁸ Now Your Majesty, please establish the decree and sign a document that cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians that cannot be revoked.”

⁹ That is why King Darius signed the written decree.