Daniel
Chapter 1
1 IN THE third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah
came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2 And the L-rd gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand,
with part of the vessels of the house of G-d; and he carried them into the land
of Shinar to the house of his god, and the vessels he brought into the
treasure-house of his god.
3 And the king spoke unto Ashpenaz his chief officer, that he
should bring in certain of the children of Israel, and of the seed royal, and of
the nobles,
4 youths in whom was no blemish, but fair to look on, and
skilful in all wisdom, and skilful in knowledge, and discerning in thought, and
such as had ability to stand in the king's palace; and that he should teach them
the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the
king's food, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished
three years; that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
7 And the chief of the officers gave names unto them: unto
Daniel he gave 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 king's food, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he
requested of the chief of the officers that he might not defile himself.
9 And G-d granted Daniel mercy and compassion in the sight of
the chief of the officers.
10 And the chief of the officers said unto Daniel: 'I fear my
lord the king, who hath appointed your food and your drink; for why should he
see your faces sad in comparison with the youths that are of your own age? so
would ye endanger my head with the king.'
11 Then said Daniel to the steward, whom the chief of the
officers had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
12 'Try 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 countenance of the youths that eat of the king's food; and as thou seest,
deal with thy servants.'
14 So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and tried them
ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared
fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the
king's food.
16 So the steward took away their food, and the wine that
they should drink, and gave them pulse.
17 Now as for these four youths, G-d gave them knowledge and
skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions
and dreams.
18 And at the end of the days which the king had appointed
for bringing them in, the chief of the officers brought them in before
Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king spoke with them; and among them all was found
none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore stood they before
the king.
20 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
enchanters that were in all his realm.
21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king
Cyrus.
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