Daniel 2:12-18

12Because of this the king got furiously angry and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

13So a decree went out, and the wise men were about to be executed. They also sought Daniel and his friends so that they could be executed.

14Then Daniel spoke with prudent counsel to Arioch, who was in charge of the king’s executioners and who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon.

15He inquired of Arioch the king’s deputy, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter.

16So Daniel went in and requested the king to grant him time, that he might disclose the interpretation to the king.

17Then Daniel went to his home and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the matter.

18He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.