Daniel 1 · דניאל

In the third year of the reign of Yehoyaqim king of Yehuda, Nevukhadneżżar king of Bavel came to Yerushalayim, and besieged it.

And the Lord gave Yehoyaqim king of Yehuda into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shin῾ar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

And the king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring some of the children of Yisra᾽el and of the king’s seed, and of the nobles;

youths in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and discerning in knowledge, and perceptive in understanding, 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 Kasdim.

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s food and of the wine which he drank; that they should be thus reared for three years, and at the end of that time, they might stand before the king.

Now among these were of the children of Yehuda: Daniyyel, Ḥananya, Misha᾽el, and ῾Azarya:

to whom the chief of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave to Daniyyel the name of Belteshażżar; and to Ḥananya, of Shadrakh; and to Misha᾽el, of Meshakh; and to ῾Azarya, of ῾Aved-nego.

But Daniyyel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s food, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Now God had brought Daniyyel into grace and compassion with the chief of the eunuchs.

And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniyyel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see you looking more woebegone than other youths of your age? for then you should endanger my head to the king.

Then Daniyyel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs has set over Daniyyel, Ḥananya, Misha᾽el, and ῾Azarya,

Put thy servants to the proof I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat, and water to drink.

Then let our appearances, and the appearances of the youths that eat of the king’s food be observed by you; and as thou seest, so deal with thy servants.

So he consented to them in this matter, and put them to the proof for ten days.

And at the end of ten days they appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the youths who did eat the portion of the king’s fare.

So the steward took away the food and the wine that they should have drunk; and gave them vegetables.

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

Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nevukhadneżżar.

And the king spoke with them; and among them all was found none like Daniyyel, Ḥananya, Misha᾽el, and ῾Azarya: therefore they stood before the king.

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

And Daniyyel continued to the first year of Koresh the king.