1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to 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, 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.

3And the king spoke to Ashpenaz, the master of his officers, that he should bring some of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the nobles; 4Young men in whom was no blemish, but who were handsome and skillful in all wisdom; and who had knowledge and understanding, even those who were able to stand in the king's palace; and that he was to teach them the writing and the language of the Chaldeans. 5And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's food, and of the wine which he drank, that they should be educated three years, so that at the end of that time they might stand before the king. 6And among them were four of the sons of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 7To whom the chief of the officers gave new names. For he called Daniel, Belteshazzar; and Hananiah, Shadrach; and Mishael, Meshach; and Azariah, Abed- Nego.

8But 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 asked permission of the chief of the officers that he might not defile himself. 9And God had granted Daniel favor and compassion in the eyes of the chief of the officers. 10And the chief of the officers said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has chosen your food and your drink. For why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths who are of your own age? Then you would make me endanger my head with the king." 11And Daniel said to Melzar the steward, whom the chief of the officers had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12"I beg you, prove your servants ten days. And let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then let our countenances be examined by you, and the countenances of the youths who eat of the king's food. And according to what you see, deal with your servants."

14So he hearkened to them in this matter, and proved them for ten days. 15And at the end of ten days their faces looked fairer and fatter in flesh than all the youths who had eaten the king's food. 16So Melzar the steward took away their portion of the food, and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

17As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. And Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

18And at the end of the days that the king had appointed to bring them in, the chief of the officers brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19And the king talked with them. And among them all were found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they stood before the king. 20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding that the king asked them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his kingdom. 21And Daniel continued to the first year of King Cyrus.