Daniel:1

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* In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Jerusalem , and besieged it . * The Lord {The word translated "Lord " is "Adonai ."} gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand , with part of the vessels of the house of God {The Hebrew word rendered "God " is "Elohim ."}; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god : and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god . * The king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs , that he should bring in [certain ] of the children of Israel , even of the seed royal and of the nobles ; * youths in whom was no blemish , but well-favored , and skillful in all wisdom , and endowed with knowledge , and understanding science , and such as had ability to stand in the king 's palace ; and that he should teach them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans . * The king appointed for them a daily portion of the king 's dainties , 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 . * Now among these were , of the children of Judah , Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah . * The prince of the eunuchs gave names to them : to Daniel he gave [the name of ] Belteshazzar ; and to Hananiah , [of ] Shadrach ; and to Mishael , [of ] Meshach ; and to Azariah , [of ] Abednego . * But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king 's dainties , nor with the wine which he drank : therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself . * Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs . * 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 ? so would you endanger my head with the king . * Then Daniel said to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah : * Test your servants , I beg you , ten days ; and let them give us vegetables to eat , and water to drink . * Then let our faces be looked on before you , and the face of the youths who eat of the king 's dainties ; and as you see , deal with your servants . * So he listened to them in this matter , and proved them ten days . * 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 dainties . * So the steward took away their dainties , and the wine that they should drink , and gave them pulse . * Now as for these four youths , God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom : and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams . * 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 . * The king talked with them ; and among them all was found none like Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah : therefore stood they before the king . * In every matter of wisdom and understanding , concerning which the king inquired of them , he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm . * Daniel continued even to the first year of king Cyrus .

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