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

2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the article into the treasure of his god.

3 Then the king instructed Ashenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children  of Israel and some of the king's descendants and some of the nobles,

4 Young men in whom there was no blemish, but good - looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's place, and whom they might teach the language and literature  of the Chaldeans.

5 And the king appointed for them  a daily provision of the king 's delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end time they might serve before the king.

6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Meshach; and Azriah.

7 To them the chief of the enuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Missheal, Meshach; and to Azriah, Abed - Nego.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the enuchs that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God had brought Daniel the favor and good will of the chief of eunuchs.

10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king."

11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Misheal, and Azariah,

12 "Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetable to eat and water to drink.

13 "Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearnce of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants."

14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who eat the portion of delicacies.

16 Thus steward took away the portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

17 As for these young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

18 Now at the end of the days when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none like Daniel, Hananiah, Misheal, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.

20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

21 Thus Daniel continues until the first year of King Cyrus. DANIEL 1