1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god. He brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

3 The king spoke to Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in some of the children of Israel, even of the royal offspring and of the nobles: 4 youths in whom was no defect, but well-favored, skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding science, and who had the ability to stand in the king’s palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king appointed for them a daily portion of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years, that at its end they should stand before the king.

6 Now among these of the children of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

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: