Daniel 1

Daniel 1

1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah , Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it .

2The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand , with some of the vessels of the house of God ; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god . He brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god .[#1:2 The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”; #1:2 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “” (Elohim).]

3The king spoke to Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs , that he should bring in some of the children of Israel , even of the royal offspring and of the nobles :[#1:3 or, seed]

4youths in whom was no defect , but well-favoured, skilful in all wisdom , endowed with knowledge , understanding science , and who had the ability to stand in the king ’s palace ; and that he should teach them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans .

5The king appointed for them a daily portion of the king ’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank , and that they should be nourished three years , that at its end they should stand before the king .

6Now amongst these of the children of Judah were Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah .

7The prince of the eunuchs gave names to them : to Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar ; to Hananiah , Shadrach ; to Mishael , Meshach ; and to Azariah , Abednego.

8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king ’s delicacies , nor with the wine which he drank . Therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself .

9Now God made Daniel find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs .

10The 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 ? Then you would endanger my head with the king .”

11Then Daniel said to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah :

12“Test your servants , I beg you , ten days ; and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink .

13Then let our faces be examined before you , and the face of the youths who eat of the king ’s delicacies ; and as you see , deal with your servants .”

14So he listened to them in this matter , and tested them for ten days .

15At 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 delicacies .

16So the steward took away their delicacies and the wine that they were given to drink , and gave them vegetables .

17Now 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 .

18At the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in , the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar .

19The king talked with them ; and amongst them all was found no one like Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah . Therefore they stood before the king .

20In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king enquired of them , he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm .

21Daniel continued even to the first year of King Cyrus .

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