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Daniel

Stories of Daniel and his friends in exile and visions about future kingdoms and God's sovereignty. ... click to read full summary of this book.

Chapter 1

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In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

In the third year of King Jehoiakim's rule in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon arrived at Jerusalem and surrounded the city with his forces.

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.

The Lord let Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, be captured, along with some items from God's house. The captor took them to a far-off land called Shinar, to a place for their god. There, they put the items in the treasure house for their god.

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;

The king told Ashpenaz, who was in charge of his special helpers, to bring some young people from Israel, the king's own family, and important leaders.

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.

Children without flaws, good-looking and skilled in every kind of wisdom, were chosen. They were also clever in knowledge, understood science well, had the ability to work in the king's palace, and could be taught the language and learning of the Chaldeans.

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.

The king gave them food and drink from his own table every day for three years to keep them healthy, so they could be ready to serve him when the time was up.

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

Among these were from Judah's children: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

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.

The leader in charge of the eunuchs gave names: he called Daniel "Belteshazzar," Hananiah "Shadrach," Mishael "Meshach," and Azariah "Abednego."

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.

But Daniel decided he wouldn't eat the king's food or drink his wine. So, he asked the leader in charge to not give him any so he would stay clean.

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

Now, God made Daniel liked and cared for by the leader of the people who were helpers to the king.

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.

The leader of the eunuchs told Daniel, "I'm worried about the king, who has ordered your food and drinks. He might wonder why your faces look worse than the other young people like you. I don't want to put my life at risk because of this."

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

Then Daniel spoke to Melzar, who the leader of the castrated officials appointed for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Test your servants for ten days, please; and let them provide us with food, like grains, and water to drink.

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.

Then, let us be seen by you, along with the children eating the king's food, and as you see, treat your servants accordingly.

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

So he agreed with them on this point, and tested them for ten days.

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.

After ten days, they looked healthier and plumper than all the other kids who ate the king's food.

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

So Melzar removed their meat and drinking wine, giving them only vegetables instead.

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.

God gave these four kids knowledge, skills, and wisdom in everything they learned, and Daniel was great at understanding visions and dreams.

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.

At the end of the days, when the king said they should come, the leader of the eunuchs brought them to King Nebuchadnezzar.

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.

The king talked to the group, but nobody was as good as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So, these four stood in front of the king.

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.

In all wise decisions the king asked them about, they were ten times better than all his other magical advisors.

And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

Daniel kept going until the start of King Cyrus's reign.

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