In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

The Lord delivered Jehoiakim, king of Judah, along with some of the vessels from the house of God, into his hand. He brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.

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.

The king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring some of the sons of Israel from the royal family and the nobles.

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;

They were young men without any physical defect, handsome, skilled in all wisdom, knowledgeable, discerning, and capable of serving in the king's palace. He was to teach them the literature and the language of the Chaldeans.

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.

The king assigned them a daily portion from the royal food and wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time, they were to serve before the king.

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.

Among them were some from the sons of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

The chief of the officials gave them new names: to Daniel, he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

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.

But Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile himself with the royal food or wine. So he requested permission from the chief official not to defile himself.

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.

God caused the chief official to show favor and compassion toward Daniel.

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

But the chief official said to Daniel, 'I fear my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other youths your age? You would endanger my life before the king.'

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.

Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Then compare our appearance with that of the other youths who are eating the royal food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.

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.

So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

At the end of the ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who were eating the royal food.

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.

So the steward took away their portion of the royal food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

To these four young men, God gave knowledge and understanding in all kinds of literature and wisdom. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

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.

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.

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.

The king spoke with them, and among all of them, no one was found to be like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the king's service.

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.

In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

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.

And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.