In the third year of the reign of Yehôyâqı̂ym (יְהוֹיָקִים) king of Yahûdâh (יְהוֹיָקִים) came Nebûkadnetstsar king of Bâbel unto Yerûshâlaim, and besieged it.
And ĂDÔNÂY (אֲדֹנָי) gave Yehôyâqı̂ym king of Yahûdâh into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of ĔLÔHÎYM (אֱלֹהִים): which he carried into the land of Shinâr to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
And the king spoke unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Yâshârêl, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
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 Kaśdı̂y.
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.
Now among these were of the children of Yahûdâh, Dânı̂yêl (יִשְׂרָאֵל), Chănanyâhû (חֲנַנְיָהוּ), Mı̂yshâêl (מִישָׁאֵל), and Ăzaryâhû (עֲזַרְיָהוּ):
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Dânı̂yêl the name of Bêlṭeshatstsar (בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר); and to Chănanyâhû, of Shadrak (שַׁדְרַךְ); and to Mı̂yshâêl, of Mêyshak (מֵישַׁךְ); and to Ăzaryâhû, of Ăbêd Negô (עֲבֵד נְגוֹ).
But Dânı̂yêl 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.
Now ĔLÔHÎYM (אֱלֹהִים) had brought Dânı̂yêl into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Dânı̂yêl, I fear my master the king, who has 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.
Then said Dânı̂yêl to Meltsâr (מֶלְצָר), whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Dânı̂yêl, Chănanyâhû, Mı̂yshâêl, and Ăzaryâhû,
Prove your servants, I beseech you, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Then let our countenances be looked upon before you, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as you see, deal with your servants.
So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them 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.
Thus Meltsâr took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
As for these four children, ĔLÔHÎYM (אֱלֹהִים) gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Dânı̂yêl 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 prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebûkadnetstsar.
And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Dânı̂yêl, Chănanyâhû, Mı̂yshâêl, and Ăzaryâhû: therefore stood they before 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.
And Dânı̂yêl continued even unto the first year of king Kôresh (כּוֹרֶשׁ).
