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

In the third year that Jehoiakim was king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem. His army was all around the city.

2 T he Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with 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 he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

The Lord let him take King Jehoiakim of Judah, with some of the objects of the house of God. He brought them to the house of his god in the land of Shinar, and put the objects into the store-room of his god.

3 T he king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in some of the children of Israel, even of the royal offspring and of the nobles;

Then the king told Ashpenaz, his head ruler, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, both those of the king’s family and of the important leaders.

4 y ouths in whom was no defect, but well-favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and endowed with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king’s palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans.

They were to be young men, perfect in body, good-looking, with wisdom, understanding, much learning, and able to serve in the king’s house. The king told Ashpenaz to teach them the writings and language of the Babylonians.

5 T he king appointed for them a daily portion of the king’s dainties, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at its end they should stand before the king.

And the king gave them a share of his best food and wine every day. They were to be taught for three years, and after that they were to serve the king.

6 N ow among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from the sons of Judah.

7 T he prince of the eunuchs gave names to them: to Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, Shadrach; and to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

The king’s head ruler gave them new names. To Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar. To Hananiah he gave the name Shadrach. To Mishael he gave the name Meshach. And to Azariah he gave the name Abed-nego.

8 B ut Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

But Daniel made up his mind that he would not make himself unclean with the king’s best food and wine. So he asked the head ruler to allow him not to make himself unclean.

9 N ow God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs.

Now God gave Daniel favor and pity in the eyes of the head ruler.

10 T he prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths who are of your own age? so would you endanger my head with the king.

The head ruler said to him, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has said you were to have so much and he would see that you were not looking as good as the other young men who are as old as you. The king would cut off my head because of you.”

11 T hen Daniel said to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Then Daniel said to the man whom the head ruler had chosen to watch over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12 T est your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat, and water to drink.

“Test your servants for ten days. Give us only vegetables to eat and water to drink.

13 T hen let our faces be looked on before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king’s dainties; and as you see, deal with your servants.

Then compare how we look with the young men who are eating the king’s best food. And do with us what you think is best by what you see.”

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

So he listened to them, and tested them for ten days.

15 A t the end of ten days their faces appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths who ate of the king’s dainties.

At the end of ten days they looked even better. They were fatter than all the young men who had been eating the king’s best food.

16 S o the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.

So the man who watched over them took away the best food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.

17 N ow 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.

God gave these four young men much learning and understanding in all kinds of writings and wisdom. Daniel even had understanding in all kinds of special dreams.

18 A t the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the head ruler brought them to Nebuchadnezzar.

19 T he king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

The king talked with them, and found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they became the king’s own helpers.

20 I n every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.

Every time the king asked them questions that needed wise and understanding answers, he found that they knew ten times more than all the wonder-workers under his rule who used their secret ways.

21 D aniel continued even to the first year of king Cyrus.

And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.