The Book of Daniel, Chapter One.
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, came
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
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.
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, children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful 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.
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.
Now among these were the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael,
and Azariah, 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 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.
Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the
eunuchs.
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.
Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants I beseech thee ten
days, and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
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 consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
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.
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat and the wine that they should drink,
and gave them pulse.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And Daniel continued even unto the first year of King Cyrus.