1 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Judah. It was in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah.2 Jehovah allowed Nebuchadnezzar to capture Jehoiakim king of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar carried part of the vessels of the house of God into the Plain of Shinar in Babylon. He brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.3 The king ordered Ashpenaz the chief of his officials to bring in some of the Israelites including some of the royal family and nobles.4 These were young people who had no defects. They were good looking and intelligent, with knowledge. They showed wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of science. They had ability to serve in the king's court and were taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans.5 The king assigned a daily amount of the king's special rich food for them and also the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years. At the end of that time they would serve the king.6 Now among these children of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.7 The officer in charge gave names to them: To Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach and Azariah was named Abednego.8 Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's special food and wine. He requested permission from the officer in charge that he might not defile himself.9 God caused the officer in charge to show special favor and kindness to Daniel.10 The officer in charge said to Daniel: »I fear my lord the king. He has appointed your food and your drink. Why should he see your faces worse looking than other young people your age? Would you endanger my head with the king?«11 Daniel answered the officer appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:12 »Test your servants, please, for ten days. Give them vegetables to eat and water to drink.13 »You compare our appearance and the appearance of the young people who eat the king’s special food. Then you deal with us according to what you see.«14 So he listened to them and allowed them to prove the matter for ten days.15 They looked better when the ten days ended! They were fairer in appearance and fatter in flesh than the young people who ate the king’s special food.16 So the steward took away their special food and wine and gave them vegetables and water.17 God gave these young people knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of all types of literature and learning. Daniel had understanding and wisdom in all visions and dreams.18 When the appointed time for learning ended the chief officer brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.19 The king interviewed them and found out that none was found to be like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they served the king.20 The king found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire realm. This was in every matter of wisdom and understanding.21 Daniel continued to the first year of king Cyrus.

1 No ano terceiro do reinado de Jeoiaquim, rei de Judá, veio Nabucodonosor, rei de Babilônia, a Jerusalém, e a sitiou.2 E o Senhor lhe entregou nas mãos a Jeoiaquim, rei de Judá, e uma parte dos vasos da casa de Deus; e ele os levou para a terra de Sinar, para a casa do seu deus; e os pôs na casa do tesouro do seu deus.3 Então disse o rei a Aspenaz, chefe dos seus eunucos que trouxesse alguns dos filhos de Israel, dentre a linhagem real e dos nobres,4 jovens em quem não houvesse defeito algum, de bela aparência, dotados de sabedoria, inteligência e instrução, e que tivessem capacidade para assistirem no palácio do rei; e que lhes ensinasse as letras e a língua dos caldeus.5 E o rei lhes determinou a porção diária das iguarias do rei, e do vinho que ele bebia, e que assim fossem alimentados por três anos; para que no fim destes pudessem estar diante do rei.6 Ora, entre eles se achavam, dos filhos de Judá, Daniel, Hananias, Misael e Azarias.7 Mas o chefe dos eunucos lhes pôs outros nomes, a saber: a Daniel, o de Beltessazar; a Hananias, o de Sadraque; a Misael, o de Mesaque; e a Azarias, o de Abednego.8 Daniel, porém, propôs no seu coração não se contaminar com a porção das iguarias do rei, nem com o vinho que ele bebia; portanto pediu ao chefe dos eunucos que lhe concedesse não se contaminar.9 Ora, Deus fez com que Daniel achasse graça e misericórdia diante do chefe dos eunucos.10 E disse o chefe dos eunucos a Daniel: Tenho medo do meu senhor, o rei, que determinou a vossa comida e a vossa bebida; pois veria ele os vossos rostos mais abatidos do que os dos outros jovens da vossa idade? Assim poríeis em perigo a minha cabeça para com o rei.11 Então disse Daniel ao despenseiro a quem o chefe dos eunucos havia posto sobre Daniel, Hananias, Misael e Azarias:12 Experimenta, peço-te, os teus servos dez dias; e que se nos dêem legumes a comer e água a beber.13 Então se examine na tua presença o nosso semblante e o dos jovens que comem das iguarias reais; e conforme vires procederás para com os teus servos.14 Assim ele lhes atendeu o pedido, e os experimentou dez dias.15 E, ao fim dos dez dias, apareceram os seus semblantes melhores, e eles estavam mais gordos do que todos os jovens que comiam das iguarias reais.16 Pelo que o despenseiro lhes tirou as iguarias e o vinho que deviam beber, e lhes dava legumes.17 Ora, quanto a estes quatro jovens, Deus lhes deu o conhecimento e a inteligência em todas as letras e em toda a sabedoria; e Daniel era entendido em todas as visões e todos os sonhos.18 E ao fim dos dias, depois dos quais o rei tinha ordenado que fossem apresentados, o chefe dos eunucos os apresentou diante de Nabucodonosor.19 Então o rei conversou com eles; e entre todos eles não foram achados outros tais como Daniel, Hananias, Misael e Azarias; por isso ficaram assistindo diante do rei.20 E em toda matéria de sabedoria e discernimento, a respeito da qual lhes perguntou o rei, este os achou dez vezes mais doutos do que todos os magos e encantadores que havia em todo o seu reino.21 Assim Daniel continuou até o primeiro ano do rei Ciro.