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Daniel 1

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. And the Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels of the house of God. He carried them off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and put the vessels in his god's

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Taken to Babylon

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. And the Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels of the house of God. He carried them off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and put the vessels in his god's treasury. The king told Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring in some of the Israelites, including some of the king's descendants and nobles, young men with no blemish, well favoured, skilful in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge and understanding science, with the ability to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king set them a daily ration from his own table and from the wine he drank, to be brought up on it for three years, so that at the end of it they could take their place before the king. Among them, from the people of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The prince of the eunuchs gave them new names. He called Daniel Belteshazzar, Hananiah Shadrach, Mishael Meshach, and Azariah Abednego.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, with some of the vessels of the house of God. 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. And the king spoke to Ashpenaz, the head of his officers, to bring some of the people of Israel, and of the royal family and of the nobles — young men with no fault in them, good-looking and clever in all wisdom, quick to learn and able to understand, who had it in them to stand in the king's palace — and to teach them the writing and the language of the Chaldeans. And the king set out for them a daily amount of the king's food and of the wine he drank, to bring them up for three years, so that at the end of it they'd stand in front of the king. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, from the people of Judah. And the head of the officers gave them names. He called Daniel Belteshazzar, and Hananiah Shadrach, and Mishael Meshach, and Azariah Abednego.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged 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. 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; 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. 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 Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 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.

1

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it.

Plain English

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

King James Version, 1611

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

2

And the Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels of the house of God. He carried them off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and put the vessels in his god's treasury.

Plain English

And the Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, with some of the vessels of the house of God. 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.

King James Version, 1611

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.

3

The king told Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring in some of the Israelites, including some of the king's descendants and nobles,

Plain English

And the king spoke to Ashpenaz, the head of his officers, to bring some of the people of Israel, and of the royal family and of the nobles —

King James Version, 1611

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;

4

young men with no blemish, well favoured, skilful in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge and understanding science, with the ability to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans.

Plain English

young men with no fault in them, good-looking and clever in all wisdom, quick to learn and able to understand, who had it in them to stand in the king's palace — and to teach them the writing and the language of the Chaldeans.

King James Version, 1611

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.

5

And the king set them a daily ration from his own table and from the wine he drank, to be brought up on it for three years, so that at the end of it they could take their place before the king.

Plain English

And the king set out for them a daily amount of the king's food and of the wine he drank, to bring them up for three years, so that at the end of it they'd stand in front of the king.

King James Version, 1611

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.

6

Among them, from the people of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

Plain English

Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, from the people of Judah.

King James Version, 1611

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

7

The prince of the eunuchs gave them new names. He called Daniel Belteshazzar, Hananiah Shadrach, Mishael Meshach, and Azariah Abednego.

Plain English

And the head of the officers gave them names. He called Daniel Belteshazzar, and Hananiah Shadrach, and Mishael Meshach, and Azariah Abednego.

King James Version, 1611

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.

Test us ten days

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine he drank. So he asked the prince of the eunuchs for permission not to defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. Why should he see your faces looking worse than the other young men your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king. Then Daniel said to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, Test your servants, I beg you, for ten days. Let them give us pulse to eat and water to drink. Then compare how we look with how the young men look who eat the king's food, and deal with your servants according to what you see. So he agreed to it and gave them a trial of ten days. And at the end of ten days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who ate the king's food. So Melzar took away their food and the wine they were meant to drink, and gave them pulse instead. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in every kind of learning and wisdom. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of every sort. At the end of the days the king had specified, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king talked with them, and among the whole lot there was nobody like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So they took their place before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding the king put to them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his whole kingdom. And Daniel was still there in the first year of King Cyrus.

But Daniel made up his mind not to make himself unclean with the king's food or with the wine he drank. So he asked the head of the officers to let him not make himself unclean. Now God had made the head of the officers show Daniel kindness and pity. And the head of the officers said to Daniel: I'm frightened of my lord the king, who's set out your food and your drink. Because why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men your own age? Then you'd put my head at risk with the king. Then Daniel said to the steward that the head of the officers had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah: Test your servants ten days, please. Let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our faces be looked at in front of you, and the faces of the young men who eat the king's food. And deal with your servants according to what you see. So he listened to them in this and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their faces looked better and fatter than all the young men who ate the king's food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. And as for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all writing and wisdom. And Daniel understood all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days the king had said to bring them in, the head of the officers brought them in in front of Nebuchadnezzar. And the king talked with them. And among all of them nobody was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So they stood in front of the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding the king asked them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his whole kingdom. And Daniel was there right up to the first year of King Cyrus.

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. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 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. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 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. 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 Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 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. 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. 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. 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 Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

8

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine he drank. So he asked the prince of the eunuchs for permission not to defile himself.

Plain English

But Daniel made up his mind not to make himself unclean with the king's food or with the wine he drank. So he asked the head of the officers to let him not make himself unclean.

King James Version, 1611

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.

9

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

Plain English

Now God had made the head of the officers show Daniel kindness and pity.

King James Version, 1611

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

10

And the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. Why should he see your faces looking worse than the other young men your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.

Plain English

And the head of the officers said to Daniel: I'm frightened of my lord the king, who's set out your food and your drink. Because why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men your own age? Then you'd put my head at risk with the king.

King James Version, 1611

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.

11

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

Plain English

Then Daniel said to the steward that the head of the officers had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah:

King James Version, 1611

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

12

Test your servants, I beg you, for ten days. Let them give us pulse to eat and water to drink.

Plain English

Test your servants ten days, please. Let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

King James Version, 1611

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

13

Then compare how we look with how the young men look who eat the king's food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.

Plain English

Then let our faces be looked at in front of you, and the faces of the young men who eat the king's food. And deal with your servants according to what you see.

King James Version, 1611

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.

14

So he agreed to it and gave them a trial of ten days.

Plain English

So he listened to them in this and tested them ten days.

King James Version, 1611

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

15

And at the end of ten days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who ate the king's food.

Plain English

And at the end of ten days their faces looked better and fatter than all the young men who ate the king's food.

King James Version, 1611

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.

16

So Melzar took away their food and the wine they were meant to drink, and gave them pulse instead.

Plain English

So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

King James Version, 1611

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

17

As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in every kind of learning and wisdom. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of every sort.

Plain English

And as for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all writing and wisdom. And Daniel understood all visions and dreams.

King James Version, 1611

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.

18

At the end of the days the king had specified, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

Plain English

Now at the end of the days the king had said to bring them in, the head of the officers brought them in in front of Nebuchadnezzar.

King James Version, 1611

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.

19

And the king talked with them, and among the whole lot there was nobody like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So they took their place before the king.

Plain English

And the king talked with them. And among all of them nobody was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So they stood in front of the king.

King James Version, 1611

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.

20

And in every matter of wisdom and understanding the king put to them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his whole kingdom.

Plain English

And in every matter of wisdom and understanding the king asked them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his whole kingdom.

King James Version, 1611

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.

21

And Daniel was still there in the first year of King Cyrus.

Plain English

And Daniel was there right up to the first year of King Cyrus.

King James Version, 1611

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