From www.ebible.org with slight reformatting by Martin Ward. Book 27 Daniel 001:001 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Jerusalem, and besieged it. 001:002 The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part 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. 001:003 The king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in [certain] of the children of Israel, even of the seed royal and of the nobles; 001:004 youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and endowed with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans. 001:005 The king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's dainties, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end of it they should stand before the king. 001:006 Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 001:007 The prince of the eunuchs gave names to them: to Daniel he gave [the name of] Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, [of] Shadrach; and to Mishael, [of] Meshach; and to Azariah, [of] Abednego. 001:008 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 001:009 Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. 001:010 The prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths who are of your own age? so would you endanger my head with the king. 001:011 Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 001:012 Prove your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 001:013 Then let our faces be looked on before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king's dainties; and as you see, deal with your servants. 001:014 So he listened to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 001:015 At the end of ten days their faces appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths who ate of the king's dainties. 001:016 So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse. 001:017 Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill