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¹ In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to 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 spoke to 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 of good appearance, and skillful in all wisdom, and intelligent 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 language of the Chaldeans.⁵ And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's food, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end of them they might stand before the king.⁶ Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:⁷ To whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave to Daniel [the name] of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

⁸ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's food, 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 favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.¹⁰ And the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your provision and your drink: for why should he see your faces more meager than the children who [are] of your sort? then will 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 countenances of the children that eat of the portion of the king's provision: 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 who ate the portion of the king's provision.¹⁶ Thus Melzar took away the portion of their food, 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 they stood before the king.²⁰ And in all matters of wisdom [and] understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times superior to all the magicians [and] astrologers that [were] in all his realm.²¹ And Daniel continued [even] to the first year of king Cyrus.