Daniel 1

Daniel was taken to Babylon

1 After King Jehoiakim had been ruling in Judah for almost three years, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem with his army and surrounded the city. 2 After two years, Yahweh allowed Nebuchadnezzar’s soldiers to capture Jehoiakim, who was the King of Judah. They also took some of the things that were in the temple of God, and took them to Babylonia. There Nebuchadnezzar put them in the temple of his god.

3 Then Nebuchadnezzar commanded Ashpenaz, the chief official in his palace, to bring to him some of the Israeli men whom they had brought to Babylon. He wanted men who belonged to important families, including the family of the King of Judah. 4 King Nebuchadnezzar wanted only men who were very healthy, handsome/good-looking, wise, well-educated, capable of learning many things, and suitable for working in the palace. He also wanted to teach them the Babylonian language and have them read things that had been written in the Babylonian language. 5 The king commanded his servants, "Give them the same kind of food and wine that is given to me. Train them for three years. Then they will become my servants."

6 Among the young Israeli men who were chosen were me, Daniel, and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who all came from Judah.