Daniel 1

Daniel Chapter 1 KJV

1Jehoiakim's captivity. 3By the king of Babylon's order the master of the eunuchs taketh Daniel, Hananiel, Mishael, and Azariah, to instruct them, and changeth their names: 8they refusing to eat of the king's meat thrive upon pulse and water: 17their proficiency in wisdom.
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah 1came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2 And the Lord 1gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, 2with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into 3the land of Shinar to the 4house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
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;
4 1Children 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 2to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach 3the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them 1a daily provision of the king's meat, and of athe wine which he drank: so nourishing them 2three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, 1Daniel, 2Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the 1prince of the eunuchs 2gave names: 3for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.
8 ¶ But Daniel 1purposed in his heart 2that 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.
9 Now 1God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, 1I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces aworse liking than the children which are of your bsort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to aMelzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us apulse bto eat, and water to drink.
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.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and 1proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared 1fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 ¶ As for these four children, 1God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and aDaniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at 1the 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.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore 1stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of awisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all 1the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Daniel 1