12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would 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The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”f

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,g pays no attentionh to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed;i he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”j

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.k The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescuel you!”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealedm it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed.