11 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his house. He had windows in his upstairs room that opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees to pray, giving thanks to his God, just as he had always done.
12 Then these men came as a group and found Daniel petitioning and pleading before his God.
13 So they approached the king and said, 'Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the lions’ den?' The king answered, 'The decree stands, in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.'
14 Then they said to the king, 'Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you signed. He still prays three times a day.'
15 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed. He set his mind on rescuing Daniel and worked until sunset to find a way to save him.
16 Then the men went as a group to the king and said, 'Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians, no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.'
17 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you continually serve, rescue you!'