[2:14] Then Daniel went to Arioch, commander of the king's bodyguard, who had been ordered to carry out the execution. Choosing his words carefully,
[2:15] he asked Arioch why the king had issued such a harsh order. So Arioch told Daniel what had happened.
[2:16] Daniel went at once and obtained royal permission for more time, so that he could tell the king what the dream meant.
[2:17] Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened.
[2:18] He told them to pray to the God of heaven for mercy and to ask him to explain the mystery to them so that they would not be killed along with the other advisers in Babylon.
[2:19] Then that same night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he praised the God of heaven:
[2:20] “God is wise and powerful! Praise him forever and ever.
[2:21] He controls the times and the seasons; he makes and unmakes kings; it is he who gives wisdom and understanding.
[2:22] He reveals things that are deep and secret; he knows what is hidden in darkness, and he himself is surrounded by light.
[2:23] I praise you and honor you, God of my ancestors. You have given me wisdom and strength; you have answered my prayer and shown us what to tell the king.”