Then  they came near , and spake   before  the king  concerning  the king's  decree ; Hast thou not  signed   a decree, that every  man  that shall ask   a petition of  any  God  or man  within  thirty  days, save  of  thee, O king, shall be cast   into the den  of lions ? The king  answered   and said , The thing  is true, according to the law  of the Medes  and Persians, which altereth   not.