“1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 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. 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; 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. 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. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah,
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 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 Abednego.”
“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. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love
with the prince of the eunuchs. 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. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the
eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove
thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to
eat, and water to drink. 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. 14 So he
consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 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. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine
that they should drink; and gave them pulse.”
“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. 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. 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. 20 And in all matters of wisdom [and]
understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times
better than all the magicians [and] astrologers that [were] in all his
realm. 21 And Daniel continued [even] unto the first year of king
Cyrus.” (Daniel 1:1-21 AV)
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