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 came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon 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 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; 4 Children 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. 5 And 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. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, 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 Abed-nego.

8 But 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. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And 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. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then 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. 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 all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now 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. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20 And 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. 21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.