1
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom;
2
and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss.
3
Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
4
So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
5
Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."
6
So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: "King Darius, live forever!
7
All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
8
Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter."