Daniel 1 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem , and besieged it. 1:2 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 . 1:3 And the king spake 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 ; 1:4 Children in whom [was] no blemish , but well favoured , and skilful 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 tongue of the Chaldeans . 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat , and of the wine which he drank : so nourishing them three years , that at the end thereof they might stand before the king . 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah , Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah : 1:7 Unto 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 Abednego . 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat , nor with the wine which he drank : therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs . 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel , I fear my lord the king , who hath appointed your meat and your drink : for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which [are] of your sort ? then shall ye make [me] endanger my head to the king . 1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar , whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah , 1:12 Prove thy servants , I beseech thee, ten days ; and let them give us pulse to eat , and water to drink . 1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat : and as thou seest , deal with thy servants . 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter , and proved them ten days . 1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat . 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat , and the wine that they should drink ; and gave them pulse . 1:17 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 . 1:18 Now 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 . 1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah : therefore stood they before the king . 1:20 And 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 . 1:21 And Daniel continued [even] unto the first year of king Cyrus .  ~~~~~~