Daniel 2:12-18

12Because of this, the king became violently angry and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

13The decree was issued that the wise men were to be executed, and they searched for Daniel and his friends, to execute them.

14Then Daniel responded with tact and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon.

15He asked Arioch, the king’s officer, “Why is the decree from the king so harsh?” Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel.

16So Daniel went and asked the king to give him some time, so that he could give the king the interpretation.

17Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the matter,

18urging them to ask the God of the heavens for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of Babylon’s wise men.