| New King James Version | International Standard Version |
| 1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. | 1In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. |
| 2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god. | 2Within a week, the Lord handed King Jehoiakim of Judah over to him, along with valuable objects from the house of God. Nebuchadnezzar brought them to the temple of his god in the land of Shinar and stored them in its treasure house. |
| 3Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, | 3Later, the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief officer, to bring in some Israelis of royal and noble descent. |
| 4young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. | 4They were to be young men without physical defect, handsome in appearance, skilled in all wisdom, quick to learn, prudent in how they used knowledge, and capable of serving in the king's palace. They were to learn the literature and language of the Chaldeans. |
| 5And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. | 5The king assigned them fine food and choice wine on a daily basis, ordering them to be trained for three years, at the end of which time they would enter the king's service. |
| 6Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. | 6Included among the people of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. |
| 7To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego. | 7The chief officer assigned the name "Belteshazzar" to Daniel, the name "Shadrach" to Hananiah, the name "Meshach" to Mishael, and the name "Abednego" to Azariah. |
| 8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. | 8Daniel determined within himself not to become defiled by the king's menu of rich foods or by the king's wine, so he requested permission from the chief officer not to defile himself. |
| 9Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. | 9God granted to Daniel grace and compassion on the part of the chief officer. |
| 10And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” | 10The chief officer told Daniel, "I fear his majesty the king, who has determined what you eat and drink. If he notices that your faces are more pale than the other young men in your group, I will forfeit my head to the king." |
| 11So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, | 11But Daniel told the guard whom the chief officer had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, |
| 12“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. | 12"Please test your servants for ten days and let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. |
| 13Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” | 13Then compare how we look with the young men who ate the king's rich food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you observe." |
| 14So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. | 14So he listened to what Daniel said and tested them for ten days. |
| 15And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. | 15At the end of ten days their appearance was better and their faces were well-nourished compared to the young men who ate the king's rich food. |
| 16Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. | 16So the guard took away their rich food and wine, giving them vegetables. |
| 17As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. | 17As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge, aptitude for learning, and wisdom. Daniel also could understand all kinds of visions and dreams. |
| 18Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. | 18Then at the end of the training period that the king had established, the chief officer brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. |
| 19Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. | 19When the king spoke to them, none of them compared to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, or Azariah as they stood before the king. |
| 20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. | 20In every matter of wisdom or understanding that the king discussed with them, he found them ten times superior to all the astrologers and enchanters in his entire palace. |
| 21Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus. | 21So Daniel remained there in service until the first year of King Cyrus. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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