| 1:1 |
In the third year of the reign of
Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of
Babylon unto 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 spake unto 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
well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning 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 tongue of the
Chaldeans. |
| 1:5 |
And the king appointed them a daily
provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he
drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end
thereof they might stand before the king. |
| 1:6 |
Now among these were of the children of
Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: |
| 1:7 |
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave
names: for he gave unto 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
meat, 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 favour
and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. |
| 1:10 |
And the prince of the eunuchs said unto
Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your
meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces
worse liking than the children which are of your sort?
then shall 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 countenance of the children that eat
of the portion of the king's meat: 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 which did eat the portion of the king's meat. |
| 1:16 |
Thus Melzar took away the portion of
their meat, 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 stood they before the
king. |
| 1:20 |
And in all matters of wisdom and
understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found
them ten times better than all the magicians and
astrologers that were in all his realm. |
| 1:21 |
And Daniel continued even unto the first
year of king Cyrus. |