Daniel

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

1Jehoiakim was the king of Judah. In his third year as king, Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon. His army surrounded the city and would not let anyone out.

2And 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.

2The Lord let King Jehoiakim be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar also took some of the special dishes from God's temple. He carried them far away to the land of Shinar. He put them in the treasure room of his own god's temple.

3And 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;

3The king spoke to Ashpenaz, the leader of his palace helpers. He told him to bring in some young men from Israel. They were to come from the king's family and from other important families.

4Children 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.

4They had to be young men with healthy, strong bodies and pleasant faces. They had to be smart, full of knowledge, and quick to learn. They had to be ready to work in the king's palace. Then they would be taught the writing and language of the Chaldeans, the people of Babylon.

5And 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.

5Every day the king sent them food and wine from his own table. They would be trained this way for three years. After that they would come and serve the king.

NoteThe old King James wording says "the king's meat." In 1611, "meat" meant food of any kind, not just meat from animals.

6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

6Four of these young men came from Judah. Their names were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

7Unto 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.

7The leader of the palace helpers gave them new names. He called Daniel by the name Belteshazzar. He called Hananiah by the name Shadrach. He called Mishael by the name Meshach. He called Azariah by the name Abednego.

8But 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.

8Daniel decided in his heart not to eat the king's food or drink his wine. He believed it would make him unclean. So he asked the leader of the helpers to let him eat something else.

9Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

9God had already made the leader of the helpers like Daniel and be kind to him.

10And 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.

10But the leader said to Daniel, "I am afraid of the king, my master. He is the one who chose your food and drink. What if he sees you looking thinner than the other young men your age? Then the king could take my head off."

NoteThe old wording says "worse liking." That means looking thinner and less healthy than the others.

11Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

11The leader had put a man named Melzar in charge of the four friends. So Daniel spoke to Melzar about Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

12Daniel said, "Please test us for ten days. Give us only plants to eat and water to drink."

NoteThe old wording says "pulse." That means food that grows from plants, like beans, peas, and vegetables.

13Then 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.

13"Then look at our faces. Look at the faces of the young men who eat the king's food. Compare us. Then do what you think is best with us."

14So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

14Melzar agreed to do this. He tested them for ten days.

15And 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.

15After the ten days, the four looked healthier and stronger than all the others. The others had been eating the king's rich food.

16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

16So Melzar took away their fancy food and their wine. He gave them plants to eat instead.

17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

17God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in every kind of learning. He made them wise. God also helped Daniel understand dreams and visions, which are pictures God shows a person.

18Now 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.

18The training time the king had set finally ended. Then the leader of the helpers brought the young men to Nebuchadnezzar.

19And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

19The king talked with them. Out of all the young men, none were as good as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So these four stayed to serve the king.

20And 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.

20The king asked them hard questions about wise and difficult things. He found them ten times better than all the magicians and star-readers in his whole kingdom.

21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

21Daniel stayed there many years. He was still there in the first year of King Cyrus.