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Chapter 1
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1
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In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of
Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem,
and besieged it. |
2
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: |
7
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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. |
8
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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
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Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love
with the prince of the eunuchs. |
10
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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
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Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the
eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, |
12
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Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let
them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. |
13
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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
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So he consented to them in this matter, and proved
them ten days. |
15
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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. |
16
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Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and
the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. |
17
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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
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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
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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
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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
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And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king
Cyrus. |
