So then, Your Majesty, follow my advice. Stop sinning, do what is right, and be merciful to the poor. Then you will continue to be prosperous."

Then the other supervisors and the governors tried to find something wrong with the way Daniel administered the empire, but they couldn't, because Daniel was reliable and did not do anything wrong or dishonest.

They said to each other, "We are not going to find anything of which to accuse Daniel unless it is something in connection with his religion."

Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God.

For this reason you must obey the authorities---not just because of God's punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

For the sake of the Lord submit yourselves to every human authority: to the Emperor, who is the supreme authority,

For God wants you to silence the ignorant talk of foolish people by the good things you do.

Respect everyone, love other believers, honor God, and respect the Emperor.

This is to be done so that they can offer sacrifices that are acceptable to the God of Heaven and pray for his blessing on me and my sons.

You must be careful to provide everything which the God of Heaven requires for his Temple, and so make sure that he is never angry with me or with those who reign after me.

At this, Daniel, who is also called Belteshazzar, was so alarmed that he could not say anything. The king said to him, "Belteshazzar, don't let the dream and its message alarm you." Belteshazzar replied, "Your Majesty, I wish that the dream and its explanation applied to your enemies and not to you.

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgivings be offered to God for all people;

for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence toward God and with proper conduct.