Daniel 2:8-18
English Standard Version
Chapter 2
8The king answered and said, "I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm — 9if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation." 10The Chaldeans answered the king and said, "There is not a man on earth who can meet the king 's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh."
12Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.
13So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them.
14Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king 's guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon.
15He declared to Arioch, the king 's captain, "Why is the decree of the king so urgent?" Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel.
16And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.
