Daniel 1

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

In Jehoiakim's third year as king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it.

And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

God handed over Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, along with sacred religious artifacts, to his captor. These were taken to Shinar, to the captor's temple, and placed in the treasury as trophies.

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;

The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring in some of the young Israelites, from the royal family and the nobility.

Children 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 to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

These were young men without any blemish, attractive and wise, well-informed and quick to understand. They had the ability to serve in the king's palace, and could be taught the learning and language of the Chaldeans.

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

The king generously provided them with daily servings of his own food and wine. He nurtured them for three years, preparing them to eventually stand in his presence.

Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Among them were the sons of Judah - Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, filled with faith and courage.

Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

The chief eunuch, in his authority, renamed them. Daniel became Belteshazzar, Hananiah was called Shadrach, Mishael was known as Meshach, and Azariah was dubbed Abednego.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that 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.

Daniel, with a determined heart, decided not to taint himself with the king's food or wine. So, he respectfully asked the eunuch's chief to help him stay pure.

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

God had blessed Daniel, making him dearly loved and favored by the chief eunuch.

And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

The chief eunuch expressed his fear to Daniel, "I'm scared of the king who decides your food and drink. If you look less healthy than others like you, it could cost me my life."

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

Daniel turned to Melzar, the man appointed by the eunuch prince to watch over him and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and spoke.

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Please, test your servants for ten days. Let us eat only vegetables and drink only water.

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.

Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the king's food, and treat your servants according to what you see.

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

So, he agreed to their request and tested them for ten days.

And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.

After ten days, they looked healthier and more vibrant than those who ate the king's rich food.

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

So the steward took away the food and wine assigned to them and gave them legumes instead.

As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

God blessed these four young ones with knowledge and wisdom in all areas of learning. Daniel, in particular, was gifted with the ability to understand all visions and dreams.

Now at the 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.

When the king's set time had passed, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar with a sense of duty and anticipation.

And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

The king spoke to them all, but none could compare to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So, they were chosen to stand beside the king.

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Whenever the king sought wisdom or understanding, he found these individuals to be ten times more insightful and knowledgeable than any magician or astrologer in his entire kingdom.

And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

Daniel remained steadfast, even into the beginning of King Cyrus's reign.