World English Bible, British Edition
Daniel • Chapter 1
1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar
king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
2
The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand,
with some of the vessels of the house of God (Elohim); and he carried them into the
land of Shinar to the house of his god. He brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3
The king spoke to Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, that he
should bring in some of the children of Israel, even of the royal offspring and of the nobles:
4
youths in whom was no defect, but well-favoured, skilful in all wisdom,
endowed with knowledge, understanding science, and who had the ability to stand in the king’s palace;
and that he should teach them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans.
5
The king appointed for them a daily portion of the king’s delicacies and
of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years, that at its end they should
stand before the king.
6
Now amongst these of the children of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah.
7
The prince of the eunuchs gave names to them: to Daniel he gave the name
Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
8
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
with the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the prince of
the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9
Now God (Elohim) made Daniel find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince
of the eunuchs.
10
The prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king,
who has appointed 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 endanger my head with the king.”
11
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs
had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
12
“Test your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us vegetables
to eat and water to drink.
13
Then let our faces be examined before you, and the face of the youths
who eat of the king’s delicacies; and as you see, deal with your servants.”
14
So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.
15
At the end of ten days, their faces appeared fairer and they
were fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate of the king’s delicacies.
16
So the steward took away their delicacies and the wine that they were
given to drink, and gave them vegetables.
17
Now as for these four youths, God (Elohim) gave them knowledge and skill
in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18
At the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing
them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19
The king talked with them; and amongst them all was found no one like
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king.
20
In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king
enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all
his realm.
21
Daniel continued even to the first year of King Cyrus.