In the third{H7969} year{H8141} of the reign{H4438} of Jehoiakim{H3079} king{H4428} of Judah{H3063} came{H935} Nebuchadnezzar{H5019} king{H4428} of Babylon{H894} unto Jerusalem,{H3389} and besieged{H6696} it.

And the Lord{H136} gave{H5414} Jehoiakim{H3079} king{H4428} of Judah{H3063} into his hand,{H3027} with part{H7117} of the vessels{H3627} of the house{H1004} of God;{H430} and he carried{H935} them into the land{H776} of Shinar{H8152} to the house{H1004} of his god:{H430} and he brought{H935} the vessels{H3627} into the treasure -{H214} house{H1004} of his god.{H430}

And the king{H4428} spake{H559} unto Ashpenaz{H828} the master{H7227} of his eunuchs,{H5631} that he should bring{H935} in [certain] of the children{H1121} of Israel,{H3478} even of the seed{H2233} royal{H4410} and of the nobles;{H6579}

youths{H3206} in whom was no blemish,{H3971} but well -{H2896} favored,{H4758} and skilful{H7919} in all wisdom,{H2451} and endued{H3045} with knowledge,{H1847} and understanding{H995} science,{H4093} and such as had ability{H3581} to stand{H5975} in the king's{H4428} palace;{H1964} and that he should teach{H3925} them the learning{H5612} and the tongue{H3956} of the Chaldeans.{H3778}

And the king{H4428} appointed{H4487} for them a daily{H3117} portion{H1697} of the king's{H4428} dainties,{H6598} and of the wine{H3196} which he drank,{H4960} and that they should be nourished{H1431} three{H7969} years;{H8141} that at the end{H7117} thereof they should stand{H5975} before{H6440} the king.{H4428}

Now among these were, of the children{H1121} of Judah,{H3063} Daniel,{H1840} Hananiah,{H2608} Mishael,{H4332} and Azariah.{H5838}

And the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631} gave{H7760} names{H8034} unto them: unto Daniel{H1840} he gave{H7760} [the name of] Belteshazzar;{H1095} and to Hananiah,{H2608} [of] Shadrach;{H7714} and to Mishael,{H4332} [of] Meshach;{H4335} and to Azariah,{H5838} [of] Abed-nego.{H5664}

But Daniel{H1840} purposed{H7760} in his heart{H3820} that he would not defile{H1351} himself with the{H6598} king's{H4428} dainties,{H6598} nor with the wine{H3196} which he drank:{H4960} therefore he requested{H1245} of the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631} that he might not defile{H1351} himself.

Now God{H430} made{H5414} Daniel{H1840} to find kindness{H2617} and compassion{H7356} in the sight{H6440} of the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs.{H5631}

And the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631} said{H559} unto Daniel,{H1840} I fear{H3373} my lord{H113} the king,{H4428} who hath appointed{H4487} your food{H3978} and your drink:{H4960} for why should he see{H7200} your faces{H6440} worse looking{H7200} than the youths{H3206} that are of your own age?{H1524} so would ye endanger{H2325} my head{H7218} with the king.{H4428}

Then said{H559} Daniel{H1840} to the steward{H4453} whom the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631} had appointed{H4487} over Daniel,{H1840} Hananiah,{H2608} Mishael,{H4332} and Azariah:{H5838}

Prove{H5254} thy servants,{H5650} I beseech thee, ten{H6235} days;{H3117} and let them give{H5414} us pulse{H2235} to eat,{H398} and water{H4325} to drink.{H8354}

Then let our countenances{H4758} be looked upon{H7200} before{H6440} thee, and the countenance{H4758} of the youths{H3206} that eat{H398} of the{H6598} king's{H4428} dainties;{H6598} and as thou seest,{H7200} deal{H6213} with thy servants.{H5650}

So he hearkened{H8085} unto them in this matter,{H1697} and proved{H5254} them ten{H6235} days.{H3117}

And at the end{H7117} of ten{H6235} days{H3117} their countenances{H4758} appeared{H7200} fairer,{H2896} and they were fatter{H1277} in flesh,{H1320} than all the youths{H3206} that did eat{H398} of the{H6598} king's{H4428} dainties.{H6598}

So the steward{H4453} took away{H5375} their dainties,{H6598} and the wine{H3196} that they should drink,{H4960} and gave{H5414} them pulse.{H2235}

Now as for these four{H702} youths,{H3206} God{H430} gave{H5414} them knowledge{H4093} and skill{H7919} in all learning{H5612} and wisdom:{H2451} and Daniel{H1840} had understanding{H995} in all visions{H2377} and dreams.{H2472}

And at the end{H7117} of the days{H3117} which the king{H4428} had appointed{H559} for bringing{H935} them in, the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631} brought{H935} them in before{H6440} Nebuchadnezzar.{H5019}

And the king{H4428} communed{H1696} with them; and among them all was found{H4672} none like Daniel,{H1840} Hananiah,{H2608} Mishael,{H4332} and Azariah:{H5838} therefore stood{H5975} they before{H6440} the king.{H4428}

And in every matter{H1697} of wisdom{H2451} and understanding,{H998} concerning which the king{H4428} inquired{H1245} of them, he found{H4672} them ten times{H6235} better{H3027} than all the magicians{H2748} and enchanters{H825} that were in all his realm.{H4438}

And Daniel{H1840} continued even unto the first{H259} year{H8141} of king{H4428} Cyrus.{H3566}