1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah
came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Jerusalem, and besieged
it.
1:2 And the LORD gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand,
with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried
into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought
the vessels into the treasure-house of his god.
1:3 And the king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs,
that he should bring [certain] of the children of Israel, and
of the king's seed, and of the princes;
1:4 Children in whom [was] no blemish, but of good appearance,
and skillful in all wisdom, and intelligent in knowledge, and
understanding science, and such as [had] ability in them to
stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the
learning and the language of the Chaldeans.
1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's
food, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three
years, that at the end of them they might stand before the
king.
1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
1:7 To whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave to
Daniel [the name] of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of
Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of
Abed-nego.
1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile
himself with the portion of the king's food, nor with the wine
which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the
eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with
the prince of the eunuchs.
1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my
lord the king, who hath appointed your provision and your
drink: for why should he see your faces more meager than the
children who [are] of your sort? then will ye make [me]
endanger my head to the king.
1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs
had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them
give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and
the countenances of the children that eat of the portion of the
king's provision: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten
days.
1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared
fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children who ate the
portion of the king's provision.
1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their food, and the
wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.
1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and
skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding
in all visions and dreams.
1:18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should
bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in
before Nebuchadnezzar.
1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was
found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
therefore they stood before the king.
1:20 And in all matters of wisdom [and] understanding, that the
king inquired of them, he found them ten times superior to all
the magicians [and] astrologers that [were] in all his realm.
1:21 And Daniel continued [even] to the first year of king
Cyrus.
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