In the third{H7969} year{H8141} of the reign{H4438} of Jehoiakim{H3079} king{H4428} of Judah{H3063} came{H935}{(H8804)} Nebuchadnezzar{H5019} king{H4428} of Babylon{H894} unto Jerusalem{H3389}, and besieged{H6696}{(H8799)} it.

And the Lord{H136} gave{H5414}{(H8799)} 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}: which he carried{H935}{(H8686)} into the land{H776} of Shinar{H8152} to the house{H1004} of his god{H430}; and he brought{H935}{(H8689)} the vessels{H3627} into the treasure{H214} house{H1004} of his god{H430}.

And the king{H4428} spake{H559}{(H8799)} unto Ashpenaz{H828} the master{H7227} of his eunuchs{H5631}, that he should bring{H935}{(H8687)} certain of the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}, and of the king's{H4410} seed{H2233}, and of the princes{H6579};

Children{H3206} in whom was no blemish{H3971}{(H8675)}{H3971}, but well{H2896} favoured{H4758}, and skilful{H7919}{(H8688)} in all wisdom{H2451}, and cunning{H3045}{(H8802)} in knowledge{H1847}, and understanding{H995}{(H8688)} science{H4093}, and such as had ability{H3581} in them to stand{H5975}{(H8800)} in the king's{H4428} palace{H1964}, and whom they might teach{H3925}{(H8763)} the learning{H5612} and the tongue{H3956} of the Chaldeans{H3778}.

And the king{H4428} appointed{H4487}{(H8762)} them a daily{H3117}{H3117} provision{H1697} of the king's{H4428} meat{H6598}, and of the wine{H3196} which he drank{H4960}: so nourishing{H1431}{(H8763)} them three{H7969} years{H8141}, that at the end{H7117} thereof they might stand{H5975}{(H8799)} 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}:

Unto whom the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631} gave{H7760}{(H8799)} names{H8034}: for he gave{H7760}{(H8799)} unto Daniel{H1840} the name of Belteshazzar{H1095}; and to Hananiah{H2608}, of Shadrach{H7714}; and to Mishael{H4332}, of Meshach{H4335}; and to Azariah{H5838}, of Abednego{H5664}.

But Daniel{H1840} purposed{H7760}{(H8799)} in his heart{H3820} that he would not defile{H1351}{(H8691)} himself with the portion{H6598} of the king's{H4428} meat{H6598}, nor with the wine{H3196} which he drank{H4960}: therefore he requested{H1245}{(H8762)} of the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631} that he might not defile{H1351}{(H8691)} himself.

Now God{H430} had brought{H5414}{(H8799)} Daniel{H1840} into favour{H2617} and tender love{H7356} with{H6440} the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631}.

And the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Daniel{H1840}, I fear{H3373} my lord{H113} the king{H4428}, who hath appointed{H4487}{(H8765)} your meat{H3978} and your drink{H4960}: for why should he see{H7200}{(H8799)} your faces{H6440} worse liking{H2196}{(H8802)} than the children{H3206} which are of your sort{H1524}? then shall ye make me endanger{H2325}{(H8765)} my head{H7218} to the king{H4428}.

Then said{H559}{(H8799)} Daniel{H1840} to Melzar{H4453}, whom the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631} had set{H4487}{(H8765)} over Daniel{H1840}, Hananiah{H2608}, Mishael{H4332}, and Azariah{H5838},

Prove{H5254}{(H8761)} thy servants{H5650}, I beseech thee, ten{H6235} days{H3117}; and let them give{H5414}{(H8799)} us pulse{H2235} to eat{H398}{(H8799)}, and water{H4325} to drink{H8354}{(H8799)}.

Then let our countenances{H4758} be looked upon{H7200}{(H8735)} before{H6440} thee, and the countenance{H4758} of the children{H3206} that eat{H398}{(H8802)} of the portion{H6598} of the king's{H4428} meat{H6598}: and as thou seest{H7200}{(H8799)}, deal{H6213}{(H8798)} with thy servants{H5650}.

So he consented{H8085}{(H8799)} to them in this matter{H1697}, and proved{H5254}{(H8762)} them ten{H6235} days{H3117}.

And at the end{H7117} of ten{H6235} days{H3117} their countenances{H4758} appeared{H7200}{(H8738)} fairer{H2896} and fatter{H1277} in flesh{H1320} than all the children{H3206} which did eat{H398}{(H8802)} the portion{H6598} of the king's{H4428} meat{H6598}.

Thus Melzar{H4453} took away{H5375}{(H8802)} the portion of their meat{H6598}, and the wine{H3196} that they should drink{H4960}; and gave{H5414}{(H8802)} them pulse{H2235}.

As for these four{H702} children{H3206}, God{H430} gave{H5414}{(H8804)} them knowledge{H4093} and skill{H7919}{(H8687)} in all learning{H5612} and wisdom{H2451}: and Daniel{H1840} had understanding{H995}{(H8689)} in all visions{H2377} and dreams{H2472}.

Now at the end{H7117} of the days{H3117} that the king{H4428} had said{H559}{(H8804)} he should bring{H935}{(H8687)} them in, then the prince{H8269} of the eunuchs{H5631} brought{H935}{(H8686)} them in before{H6440} Nebuchadnezzar{H5019}.

And the king{H4428} communed{H1696}{(H8762)} with them; and among them all was found{H4672}{(H8738)} none like Daniel{H1840}, Hananiah{H2608}, Mishael{H4332}, and Azariah{H5838}: therefore stood{H5975}{(H8799)} they before{H6440} the king{H4428}.

And in all matters{H1697} of wisdom{H2451} and understanding{H998}, that the king{H4428} enquired{H1245}{(H8765)} of them, he found{H4672}{(H8799)} them ten times{H6235} better{H3027} than all the magicians{H2748} and astrologers{H825} that were in all his realm{H4438}.

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