Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In the third year of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord gave Jehoiakim into Nebuchadnezzar's hand, along with part of the vessels from the house of God, which he carried off to the land of Shinar and placed in the treasure house of his god.

The king spoke to Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in certain youths from among the children of Israel, including those of royal and noble descent. Youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored and skilled in all wisdom, knowledgeable, understanding science, and possessing ability to serve in the king's palace, were to be taught the learning and language of the Chaldeans.

The king appointed them a daily provision of his finest food and wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years that at the end thereof they might stand before him. Among these youths from Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The prince of the eunuchs gave them new names: to Daniel he gave Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach, and to Azariah Abednego.

Daniel determined in his heart not to be contaminated by the king's food or wine, so he asked the prince of the eunuchs to exempt him from such things. God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 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 that are of your own age?"

Daniel proposed a test to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over him and his companions: "Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given pulse to eat and water to drink. Prove your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink." Melzar agreed to their request and tested them for ten days.

At the end of ten days, Daniel and his companions' countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate of the king's delicacies. God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. The prince of the eunuchs took away their portion of food and the wine they were to drink, giving them vegetables instead.

At the end of the days that the king had set, the prince of the eunuchs brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. The king conversed with them, and among all of them was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they stood before the king. In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his entire realm.

Daniel continued to serve with distinction even unto the first year of King Cyrus.