King James Bible
"That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon."
Daniel urges his companions to seek divine compassion from the transcendent God, using the title 'God of heaven' to emphasize His sovereignty over earthly kings. This appeal to prayer demonstrates faith that only God can reveal what human wisdom cannot discern. The 'secret' refers to Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation, which the king demanded without revealing the dream itself. This impossible task highlights the supernatural nature of true revelation, distinguishing God's wisdom from human divination. The stakes are life or death—Nebuchadnezzar had ordered the execution of all wise men for their failure. Daniel's concern extends beyond self-preservation to include both his Hebrew companions and the pagan wise men, showing remarkable compassion even for those who serve false gods.