Daniel

TKJU^{(i) 1} In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came 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 ones of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; ⁴ children in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning 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 portion of the king's food, and of the wine which he drank: So nourishing them three years, that at the end of that time they might stand before the king. ⁶ Now among them were four 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, Shadrach; and to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 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 has appointed your food and your drink: For why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? Then you would make me endanger my head with the king." ¹¹ Then Daniel said to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ¹² "I beseech you, prove your servants ten days; and let them give us legume pulse to eat, and water to drink. ¹³ Then let our countenances be looked upon in front of you, and the countenance of the children that eat from the portion of the king's food: And as you discern, deal with your 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 which had eaten the portion of the king's food. ¹⁶ Thus Melzar took away the portion of their food, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them legume 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 appointed to bring them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹ And the king communed with them; and among them all none were found 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 better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in his entire realm. ²¹ And Daniel continued to even the first year of King Cyrus.