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, 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 unto Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes, 4Youths {Children} in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skilful in all wisdom, and gifted {skillful} 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 tongue of the Chaldeans. 5And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's food {meat}, and of the wine which he drank; so nourishing them three years, that at the end of them {thereof} they might stand before the king. 6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names; for he gave unto Daniel 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 portion of the king's food {meat}, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with 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 {liking} than the children who are of your age {sort}? Then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12Test {Prove} thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us vegetables {pulse} to eat, and water to drink. 13Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths {children} that eat of the portion of the king's food {meat}; and as thou seest, deal {part} with thy servants. 14So he consented to them in this matter, and tested {proved} them ten days. 15And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children who did eat the portion of the king's food {meat}. 16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their food {meat}, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them vegetables {pulse}.

17As for these four youths {children}, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18Now, at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19And the king conversed {communed} with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore stood they before the king. 20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. 21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of King Cyrus.