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

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

2 A nd 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 Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with a part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.

3 A nd the king spoke unto Ashpenaz the prince of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the sons of Israel of the royal lineage of the princes,

And the king told Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring in some of the children of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility—

4 y oung men in whom there was no blemish whatsoever but who were good looking and taught in all wisdom and wise in knowledge and of good understanding, and that had strength in them to stand in the king’s palace, that they might be taught the letters and speech of the Chaldeans.

Youths without blemish, well-favored in appearance and skillful in all wisdom, discernment, and understanding, apt in learning knowledge, competent to stand and serve in the king’s palace—and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.

5 A nd 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 thereof they might stand before the king.

And the king assigned for them a daily portion of his own rich and dainty food and of the wine which he drank. They were to be so educated and so nourished for three years that at the end of that time they might stand before the king.

6 N ow among these of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Among these were of the children of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

7 u nto 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.

The chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.

8 ¶ And 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.

But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by the king’s rich and dainty food or by the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not to defile himself.

9 ( And God brought Daniel into grace and mercy with the prince of the eunuchs.)

Now God made Daniel to find favor, compassion, and loving-kindness with the chief of the eunuchs.

10 A nd the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for when he shall see your faces more downcast than the other young men who are like unto you, then ye shall condemn my head before the king.

And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear, lest my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink, should see your faces worse looking or more sad than the other youths of your age. Then you would endanger my head with the king.

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

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

12 P rove, now, with thy slaves ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

Prove your servants, I beseech you, for ten days and let us be given a vegetable diet and water to drink.

13 T hen let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenances of the young men that eat of the portion of the king’s food; and as thou seest, deal with thy slaves.

Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat of the king’s dainties be observed and compared by you, and deal with us your servants according to what you see.

14 S o he consented to them in this matter and proved them ten days.

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

15 A nd at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than the young men who ate the portion of the king’s food.

And at the end of ten days it was seen that they were looking better and had taken on more flesh than all the youths who ate of the king’s rich dainties.

16 T hus Melzar took the portion of their food and the wine that they should drink and gave them vegetables.

So the steward took away their dainties and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.

17 ¶ And unto these four young men, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in all letters and science; furthermore Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

18 N ow at the end of the days after which the king had said he should bring them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

Now at the end of the time which the king had set for bringing, the chief of the eunuchs brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 A nd the king communed with them, and none among them all was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and therefore they stood before the king.

And the king conversed with them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were assigned to stand before the king.

20 A nd in all matters of wisdom and intelligence, 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 in all matters of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king asked them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in his whole realm.

21 A nd Daniel continued even unto the first year of King Cyrus.

And Daniel continued there even to the first year of King Cyrus.