[1] In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Jerusalem, and besieged it. [2] The Lord
gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the
house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of
his god: and he brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god. [3]
The king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring
in [certain] of the children of Israel, even of the seed royal and of the
nobles; [4] youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skillful
in all wisdom, and endowed with knowledge, and understanding science, and
such as had ability to stand in the king`s palace; and that he should teach
them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans. [5] The king appointed
for them a daily portion of the king`s dainties, and of the wine which he
drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end of it
they should stand before the king. [6] Now among these were, of the
children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. [7] The prince
of the eunuchs gave names to them: to Daniel he gave [the name of]
Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, [of] Shadrach; and to Mishael, [of] Meshach;
and to Azariah, [of] Abed-nego. [8] But Daniel purposed in his heart that
he would not defile himself with the king`s dainties, nor with the wine
which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he
might not defile himself. [9] Now God made Daniel to find kindness and
compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. [10] The prince of
the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your
food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than
the youths who are of your own age? so would you endanger my head with the
king. [11] Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs
had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: [12] Prove your
servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water
to drink. [13] Then let our faces be looked on before you, and the face of
the youths who eat of the king`s dainties; and as you see, deal with your
servants. [14] So he listened to them in this matter, and proved them ten
days. [15] At the end of ten days their faces appeared fairer, and they
were fatter in flesh, than all the youths who ate of the king`s dainties.
[16] So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should
drink, and gave them pulse. [17] Now as for these four youths, God gave
them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had
understanding in all visions and dreams. [18] At the end of the days which
the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs
brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. [19] The king talked with them; and
among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
therefore stood they before the king. [20] In every matter of wisdom and
understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them
ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his
realm. [21] Daniel continued even to the first year of king Cyrus.
