1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem , and besieged it . 2And the 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 . 3And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs , that he should bring in certain of the children of Israel , even of the seed royal and of the nobles ; 4youths in whom was no blemish , but well-favored, and skilful in all wisdom , and endued 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 tongue of the Chaldeans . 5And the 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 the end thereof they should stand before the king .
The King's Food and Daniel's Resolve
6Now among these were , of the children of Judah , Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah . 7And the prince of the eunuchs 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 . 8But 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 . 9Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs . 10And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel , I fear my lord the king , who hath appointed your food and your drink : for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths that are of your own age ? so would ye endanger my head with the king .
God's Favor and the Test
11Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah : 12Prove thy servants , I beseech thee , ten days ; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink . 13Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee , and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king ’s dainties; and as thou seest , deal with thy servants . 14So he hearkened unto them in this matter , and proved them ten days . 15And 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 dainties. 16So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink , and gave them pulse .
Daniel's Rise in Babylon
17Now 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 . 18And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in , the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar . 19And the king communed with them ; and among them all was found none like Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah : therefore stood they before the king . 20And in 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 that were in all his realm . 21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus .