⁸ But Daniel resolved not to defile^(A) himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

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The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”^(A)

¹³ Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,^(A) pays no attention^(B) to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.”