Daniel Removed to Babylon
(Genesis 11:1-9)
1In the thirdyearof the reignof Jehoiakimkingof JudahcameNebuchadnezzarkingof Babylonunto Jerusalem,and besiegedit.2And the LordgaveJehoiakimkingof Judahinto his hand,with partof the vesselsof the houseof God:which he carriedinto the landof Shinarto the houseof his god;and he broughtthe vesselsinto the treasurehouseof his god.
3And the kingspakeunto Ashpenazthe masterof his eunuchs,that he should bring[certain] of the childrenof Israel,and of the king'sseed,and of the princes;4Childrenin whom [was] no blemish,but wellfavoured,and skilfulin all wisdom,and cunningin knowledge,and understandingscience,and such as [had] abilityin them to standin the king'spalace,and whom they might teachthe learningand the tongueof the Chaldeans.5And the kingappointedthem a dailyprovisionof the king'smeat,and of the winewhich he drank:so nourishingthem threeyears,that at the endthereof they might standbeforethe king.6Now among these were of the childrenof Judah,Daniel,Hananiah,Mishael,and Azariah:7Unto whom the princeof the eunuchsgavenames:for he gaveunto Daniel[the name] of Belteshazzar;and to Hananiah,of Shadrach;and to Mishael,of Meshach;and to Azariah,of Abednego.
Daniel's Faithfulness
8But Danielpurposedin his heartthat he would not defilehimself with the portionof the king'smeat,nor with the winewhich he drank:therefore he requestedof the princeof the eunuchsthat he might not defilehimself.9Now Godhad broughtDanielinto favourand tender lovewiththe princeof the eunuchs.10And the princeof the eunuchssaidunto Daniel,I fearmy lordthe king,who hath appointedyour meatand your drink:for why should he seeyour facesworse likingthan the childrenwhich [are] of your sort?then shall ye make [me] endangermy headto the king.11Then saidDanielto Melzar,whom the princeof the eunuchshad setover Daniel,Hananiah,Mishael,and Azariah,12Provethy servants,I beseech thee, tendays;and let them giveus pulseto eat,and waterto drink.13Then let our countenancesbe looked uponbeforethee, and the countenanceof the childrenthat eatof the portionof the king'smeat:and as thou seest,dealwith thy servants.
14So he consentedto them in this matter,and provedthem tendays.15And at the endof tendaystheir countenancesappearedfairerand fatterin fleshthan all the childrenwhich did eatthe portionof the king'smeat.16Thus Melzartook awaythe portion of their meat,and the winethat they should drink;and gavethem pulse.
Daniel's Wisdom
17As for these fourchildren,Godgavethem knowledgeand skillin all learningand wisdom:and Danielhad understandingin all visionsand dreams.
18Now at the endof the daysthat the kinghad saidhe should bringthem in, then the princeof the eunuchsbroughtthem in beforeNebuchadnezzar.19And the kingcommunedwith them; and among them all was foundnone like Daniel,Hananiah,Mishael,and Azariah:therefore stoodthey beforethe king.20And in all mattersof wisdom[and] understanding,that the kingenquiredof them, he foundthem ten timesbetterthan all the magicians[and] astrologersthat [were] in all his realm.21And Danielcontinued [even] unto the firstyearof kingCyrus.
