And: instead of the common conjunction found in the Aramaic here, it may be better in this context to highlight the urgency of the situation by translating “at once” as in Good News Translation, or “Immediately” (Bible en français courant) or “So…” (New English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible).

Besought the king to appoint him a time: Revised Standard Version may be understood in the sense that Daniel asked for an appointment, during which time he would talk with the king in more detail. However, the meaning is almost certainly that he asked for a postponement of the accomplishment of the king’s order. New Jerusalem Bible says that he asked “for a stay of execution.”

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .