Daniel 1
The Education of Daniel
and His Friends |
1 |
In the third year of the reign of
Jehoi'akim king of Judah came Nebuchadnez'zar king of Babylon unto
Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 Kgs. 24.1 · 2 Chr. 36.5-7
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2 |
And the Lord gave Jehoi'akim 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.
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3 |
And the king spake unto Ash'penaz 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;
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children in whom was no blemish,
but well-favored, 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 Chalde'ans. 2 Kgs. 20.17, 18 ; 24.10-16 · 2 Chr. 36.10 · Is. 39.7, 8
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5 |
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.
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6 |
Now among these were of the children of
Judah, Daniel, Hanani'ah, Mish'a-el, and Azari'ah:
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7 |
unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave
names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshaz'zar; and
to Hanani'ah, of Shadrach; and to Mish'a-el, of Meshach; and to
Azari'ah, of Abed'nego.
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8 |
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.
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Now God had brought Daniel into favor and
tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
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10 |
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.
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11 |
Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the
prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hanani'ah, Mish'a-el, and
Azari'ah,
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12 |
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten
days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to
drink.
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13 |
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.
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14 |
So he consented to them in this matter,
and proved them ten days.
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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.
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16 |
Thus Melzar took away the portion of
their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them
pulse.
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17 |
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.
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18 |
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 Nebuchadnez'zar.
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19 |
And the king communed with them; and
among them all was found none like Daniel, Hanani'ah, Mish'a-el, and
Azari'ah: therefore stood they before the king.
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20 |
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 astrologers that were in all his realm.
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21 |
And Daniel continued even unto the
first year of king Cyrus.
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