1 No terceiro ano do reinado de Joaquim, rei de Judá, Nabucodonosor, rei de Babilônia, veio sitiar Jerusalém.2 O Senhor entregou-lhe Joaquim, rei de Judá, bem como parte dos objetos do templo, que Nabucodonosor transportou para a terra de Senaar, para o templo de seu deus: foi na sala do tesouro do templo de seu deus que ele os colocou.3 O rei deu ordem ao chefe de seus eunucos, Asfenez, para trazer-lhe jovens israelitas, oriundos de raça real ou de família nobre,4 isentos de qualquer tara corporal, bem proporcionados, dotados de toda espécie de boas qualidades, instruídos, inteligentes, aptos a ingressarem {nos serviços do} palácio real; ser-lhes-ia ensinado a escrever e a falar a língua dos caldeus.5 O rei destinou-lhes uma provisão cotidiana, retirada das iguarias da mesa real e do vinho que ele bebia. A formação deles devia durar três anos, após o que entrariam a serviço do rei.6 Entre eles encontravam-se alguns judeus: Daniel, Ananias, Misael e Azarias.7 O chefe dos eunucos deu-lhes outros nomes: a Daniel, o de Baltasar; a Ananias, o de Sidrac; a Misael, o de Misac; e a Azarias, o de Abdênago.8 Daniel tomou a resolução de não se contaminar com os alimentos do rei e com seu vinho. Pediu ao chefe dos eunucos para deles se abster.9 Este, graças a Deus, tomado de benevolência para com Daniel, atendeu-o de boa vontade,10 mas disse-lhe: Temo que o rei, meu senhor, que estabeleceu vossa alimentação e vossa bebida, venha a notar vossas fisionomias mais abatidas do que as dos outros jovens de vossa idade, e que por vossa causa eu me exponha a uma repreensão da parte do rei.11 Mas Daniel disse ao dispenseiro a quem o chefe dos eunucos havia confiado o cuidado de Daniel, Ananias, Misael e Azarias:12 Rogo-te, faze uma experiência de dez dias com teus servos: que só nos sejam dados legumes a comer e água a beber.13 Depois então compararás nossos semblantes com os dos jovens que se alimentam com as iguarias da mesa real, e farás com teus servos segundo o que terás observado.14 O dispenseiro concordou com essa proposta e os submeteu à prova durante dez dias.15 No final deste prazo, averiguou-se que tinham melhor aparência e estavam mais gordos do que todos os jovens que comiam das iguarias da mesa real.16 Em conseqüência disso o dispenseiro retirava os alimentos e o vinho que lhes eram destinados, e mandava servir-lhes legumes.17 A esses quatro jovens, Deus concedeu talento e saber no domínio das letras e das ciências. Daniel era particularmente entendido na interpretação de visões e sonhos.18 Ao fim do prazo fixado pelo rei para a apresentação, o chefe dos eunucos introduziu-os na presença de Nabucodonosor,19 o qual palestrou com eles. Entre todos os jovens nenhum houve que se comparasse a Daniel, Ananias, Misael e Azarias. Por isso entraram eles a serviço do rei.20 Em qualquer negócio que necessitasse de sabedoria e sutileza, e que o rei os consultasse, este achava-os dez vezes superiores a todos os escribas e mágicos do reino.21 {Assim} viveu Daniel até o primeiro ano do reinado de Ciro.

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came unto Jerusalem and besieged it.2 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 And the king spoke unto Ashpenaz the prince of his eunuchs, that he should bring [certain] of the sons of Israel of the royal lineage of the princes,4 young men in whom [there was] no blemish whatsoever but [who were] good looking and taught in all wisdom and wise in knowledge and of good understanding, and that [had] strength in them to stand in the king's palace, that they might be taught the letters and speech of the Chaldeans.5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's food and of the wine which he drank, so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.6 Now among these of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:7 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 And Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's food, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.9 (And God brought Daniel into grace and mercy with the prince of the eunuchs.)10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for when he shall see your faces more downcast than the [other] young men who [are] like unto you, then ye shall condemn my head before the king.11 Then Daniel said to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,12 Prove, now, with thy servants ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenances of the young men that eat of the portion of the king's food; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.14 So he consented to them in this matter and proved them ten days.15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than the young men who ate the portion of the king's food.16 Thus Melzar took the portion of their food and the wine that they should drink and gave them vegetables.17 And unto these four young men, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in all letters and science; furthermore Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.18 Now at the end of the days after which the king had said he should bring them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.19 And the king communed with them, and none among them all was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and [therefore] they stood before the king.20 And in all matters of wisdom [and] intelligence, 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 And Daniel continued [even] unto the first year of king Cyrus.: