Daniel Removed to Babylon

1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege upon it. 2And the Lord gave into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, and some of the vessels of the house of God, and he brought them into the land of Shinar,† to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the house of treasure of his god.

3And the king said to Ashpenaz the chief of his eunuchs to bring in some of the sons of Israel, and some of the seed of the king and of the nobles, 4young men in whom there was not any blemish, and of good appearance, and being skilled in all wisdom, and knowing knowledge, and understanding learning, and who had power in them to serve in the palace of the king and to teach them and literature and language of the Chaldeans.†

5And the king counted out for them provision day by day from the choice portion of the king, and from the wine of his banquets, and of training for them three years, after which they were to stand before the king.

6And there were among them of the sons of Judah—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7And the chief of the eunuchs set for them names; and he gave to Daniel Belteshazzar, and to Hananiah Shadrach, and to Mishael Meshach, and to Azariah Abed-nego.

Daniel’s Faithfulness

8And Daniel set upon his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king, nor with the wine of his banquets; therefore he sought from the chief of the eunuchs that he would not defile himself.

9And God gave Daniel for kindness and compassion before the chief of the eunuchs. 10And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel: “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your⁺ food and your⁺ drink; for why should he see your⁺ faces sadder than the young men who are your⁺ age? And you⁺ would endanger my head before the king.”

11And Daniel said to the guardian, whom the chief of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12“Test, please, your servants ten days, and let them give to us from the vegetables only to eat, and water only to drink. 13And let our appearance be seen before you, and the appearance of the young men that are eating the portion of the king, and according to what you see, deal with your servants.”

14And he listened to them, to this word, and he tested them ten days. 15And at the end of ten days, their appearance was seen better and fatter in flesh than all the young men eating the portion of the king. 16And it came to pass that the steward took away their portions, and the wine for their drinking, and gave to them vegetables.

Daniel’s Wisdom

17And these four young men, God gave to them knowledge and understanding in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

18And at the end of the days, when the king had said to bring them in, then the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19And the king spoke to them, and there was not found among them all one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and they stood before the king.

20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding that the king inquired of them, he found them ten hands above all the magicians and the enchanters who were in all his kingdom. 21And Daniel was there until the first year of Cyrus the king.