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 Abednego. 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.
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