Daniel 6:1-10 (NLT) 1Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120
provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. 2 The king
also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high
officers and protect the king’s interests. 3 Daniel soon proved himself more
capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s
great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire. 4 Then
the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in
the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find
anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and
completely trustworthy. 5 So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding
grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his
religion.” ... 7 We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers,
advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly
enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to
anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the
den of lions. 8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be
changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” 9 So
King Darius signed the law. 10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been
signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its
windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had
always done, giving thanks to his God.