Daniel:1

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* Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Judah . It was in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah . * Jehovah allowed Nebuchadnezzar to capture Jehoiakim king of Judah . Nebuchadnezzar carried part of the vessels of the house of God into the Plain of Shinar . He brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god . * The king ordered Ashpenaz the chief of his officials to bring in some of the Israelites including some of the royal family and nobles . * These were young people who had no defects . They were good looking and intelligent , with knowledge . They showed wisdom , knowledge , and understanding of science . They had ability to serve in the king 's court and were taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans . * The king assigned a daily amount of the king 's special rich food for them and also the wine that he drank . They were to be educated for three years . At the end of that time they would serve the king . * Now among these children of Judah were Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah . * The officer in charge gave names to them : To Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar . Hananiah was called Shadrach . Mishael was called Meshach and Azariah was named Abednego . * Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king 's special food and wine . He requested permission from the officer in charge that he might not defile himself . * God caused the officer in charge to show special favor and kindness to Daniel . * The officer in charge said to Daniel : »I fear my lord the king . He has appointed your food and your drink . Why should he see your faces worse looking than other young people your age ? Would you endanger my head with the king ?« * Daniel answered the officer appointed over Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah : * »Test your servants , please , for ten days . Give them vegetables to eat and water to drink . * »You compare our appearance and the appearance of the young people who eat the king ’s special food . Then you deal with us according to what you see .« * So he listened to them and allowed them to prove the matter for ten days . * They looked better when the ten days ended ! They were fairer in appearance and fatter in flesh than the young people who ate the king ’s special food . * So the steward took away their special food and wine and gave them vegetables and water . * God gave these young people knowledge , understanding , and wisdom of all types of literature and learning . Daniel had understanding and wisdom in all visions and dreams . * When the appointed time for learning ended the chief officer brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar . * The king interviewed them and found out that none was found to be like Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah . Therefore they served the king . * The king found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire realm . This was in every matter of wisdom and understanding . * Daniel continued to the first year of king Cyrus .

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