¹¹ Now when Daniel learned that a written decree had been issued, he went into his house, where the windows in his upper room opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt down, prayed and gave thanks before his God, just as he did before. ¹² Then these men came as a group and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. ¹³ So they approached the king and spoke to him about the royal decree: “Didn’t you issue a written decree that anyone who prays to any god or man for 30 days—except for you, O king—shall be cast into the den of lions?”

The king replied, “The decree stands, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”