Now let the king issue a written interdict<n id="1" /> so that it cannot be altered, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed.<n id="2" />

<p class="poetry">He will speak words against the Most High.p> <p class="poetry">He will harass<n id="1" /> the holy ones of the Most High continually.p> <p class="poetry">His intention<n id="2" /> will be to change times established by law.<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">They will be delivered into his handp> <p class="poetry">For a time, times,<n id="4" /> and half a time.p>

May God who makes his name to reside there overthrow any king or nation<n id="1" /> who reaches out<n id="2" /> to cause such change so as to destroy this temple of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have given orders. Let them be carried out with precision!&#8221;p>

Then those men came by collusion to the king and<n id="1" /> said to him,<n id="2" /> &#8220;Recall,<n id="3" /> O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or decree that the king issues can be changed.&#8221;