Daniel's Development In The King's Court

1 In the third year of the reign of (A)Jehoiakim king of Judah, (B)Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

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

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim(A) king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar(a)(B) king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it.

1 In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it.

1 In the third year of the reign of (a)Jehoiakim king of Judah, (b)Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

2 The (C)Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the (D)vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of (E)Shinar, to the house of his (a)god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his (b)(F)god.

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.

2 The Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels from the house of God.(C) Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon,(b)(D) to the house of his god,(c) and put the vessels in the treasury of his god.

2 Within a week, the Lord handed King Jehoiakim of Judah over to him, along with valuable objects from the house of God. Nebuchadnezzar brought them to the temple of his god in the land of Shinar and stored them in its treasure house.

2 The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles of the house of God; and he brought them into the land of (c)Shinar, to the house of his god, and brought the articles into the treasury of his god.(A)

3 Then the king (c)ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his (d)officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the (e)royal (G)family and of the nobles,

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;

3 The king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials,(d) to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family(E) and from the nobility—

3 Later, the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief officer, to bring in some Israelis of royal and noble descent.

3 And the [Babylonian] king told Ashpenaz, the chief of his (d)officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some from the royal family and from the nobles,(B)

4 youths in whom was (H)no defect, who were good-looking, showing (I)intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for (f)serving in the king’s (g)court; and he ordered him to teach them the (h)literature and (J)language of the (K)Chaldeans.

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.

4 young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom,(F) knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king’s palace(G)—and to teach them the Chaldean language(H) and literature.

4 They were to be young men without physical defect, handsome in appearance, skilled in all wisdom, quick to learn, prudent in how they used knowledge, and capable of serving in the king's palace. They were to learn the literature and language of the Chaldeans.

4 young men without blemish and handsome in appearance, skillful in all wisdom, endowed with intelligence and discernment, and quick to understand, competent to stand [in the presence of the king] and able to serve in the king’s palace. He also ordered Ashpenaz to teach them the literature and language of the (e)Chaldeans.

5 The king appointed for them a daily ration from the (L)king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be (i)educated three years, at the end of which they were to (j)(M)enter the king’s personal service.

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.

5 The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank.(I) They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to serve in the king’s court.(e)(J)

5 The king assigned them fine food and choice wine on a daily basis, ordering them to be trained for three years, at the end of which time they would enter the king's service.

5 The king assigned a daily ration for them from his finest food and from the wine which he drank. They were to be educated and nourished this way for three years so that at the end of that time they were [prepared] to enter the king’s service.

6 Now among them from the sons of Judah were (N)Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

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

6 Among them, from the descendants of Judah, were Daniel,(K) Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

6 Included among the people of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

6 Among them from the sons of Judah were: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

7 Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name (O)Belteshazzar, to Hananiah (P)Shadrach, to Mishael (Q)Meshach and to Azariah (R)Abed-nego.

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.

7 The chief official gave them other names: he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah.(L)

7 The chief officer assigned the name "Belteshazzar" to Daniel, the name "Shadrach" to Hananiah, the name "Meshach" to Mishael, and the name "Abednego" to Azariah.

7 The commander of the officials gave them [Babylonian] names: Daniel he named Belteshazzar, Hananiah he named Shadrach, Mishael he named Meshach, and Azariah he named Abed-nego.

Daniel's Resolve

8 But Daniel (k)made up his mind that he would not (S)defile himself with the (T)king’s choice food or with the (U)wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.

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.

8 Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food(M) or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief official not to defile himself.(N)

8 Daniel determined within himself not to become defiled by the king's menu of rich foods or by the king's wine, so he requested permission from the chief officer not to defile himself.

8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile (taint, dishonor) himself with the (f)king’s finest food or with the wine which the king drank; so he asked the commander of the officials that he might [be excused so that he would] not defile himself.(C)

9 Now God granted Daniel (l)(V)favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,

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

9 God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official,(O)

9 God granted to Daniel grace and compassion on the part of the chief officer.

9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,

10 and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would (m)make me forfeit my head to the king.”

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.

10 yet he said to Daniel, “My lord the king assigned your food and drink. I’m afraid of what would happen if he saw your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age. You would endanger my life(f) with the king.”

10 The chief officer told Daniel, "I fear his majesty the king, who has determined what you eat and drink. If he notices that your faces are more pale than the other young men in your group, I will forfeit my head to the king."

10 and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has prearranged your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the young men who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.”

11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,

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

11 So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief official had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

11 But Daniel told the guard whom the chief officer had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be (W)given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.

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

12 “Please test your servants for 10 days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.

12 "Please test your servants for ten days and let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.

12 “Please, test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.

13 Then let our appearance be (n)observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

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.

13 Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king’s food, and deal with your servants based on what you see.”

13 Then compare how we look with the young men who ate the king's rich food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you observe."

13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the young men who eat the king’s finest food be observed and compared by you, and deal with your servants in accordance with what you see.”

14 So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days.

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

14 He agreed with them about this and tested them for 10 days.

14 So he listened to what Daniel said and tested them for ten days.

14 So the man listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of ten days their appearance seemed (X)better and (o)they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food.

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.

15 At the end of 10 days they looked better and healthier(g) than all the young men who were eating the king’s food.(P)

15 At the end of ten days their appearance was better and their faces were well-nourished compared to the young men who ate the king's rich food.

15 At the end of ten days it seemed that they were looking better and (g)healthier than all the young men who ate the king’s finest food.

16 So the overseer continued to (p)withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept (Y)giving them vegetables.

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

16 So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.

16 So the guard took away their rich food and wine, giving them vegetables.

16 So the overseer continued to withhold their fine food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.

Faithfulness Rewarded

17 As for these four youths, (Z)God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of (q)literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of (AA)visions and dreams.

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.

17 God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding(Q) in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams(R) of every kind.

17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge, aptitude for learning, and wisdom. Daniel also could understand all kinds of visions and dreams.

17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all kinds of literature and wisdom; Daniel also understood all kinds of visions and dreams.(D)

18 Then at the end of the days which the king had (r)specified (s)for presenting them, the commander of the officials (t)presented them before Nebuchadnezzar.

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.

18 At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.

18 Then at the end of the training period that the king had established, the chief officer brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring all the young men in [before him], the commander of the officials presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.

19 The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like (AB)Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they (u)(AC)entered the king’s personal service.

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.

19 The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.(S) So they began to serve in the king’s court.

19 When the king spoke to them, none of them compared to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, or Azariah as they stood before the king.

19 The king spoke with them, and among them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they were [selected and] assigned to stand before the king and enter his personal service.

20 As for every matter of (AD)wisdom (v)and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them (AE)ten times (AF)better than all the (w)(AG)magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm.

20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them 10 times(h)(T) better than all the diviner-priests and mediums(U) in his entire kingdom.

20 In every matter of wisdom or understanding that the king discussed with them, he found them ten times superior to all the astrologers and enchanters in his entire palace.

20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the [learned] magicians and enchanters (Magi) in his whole realm.

21 And Daniel (x)continued until the (AH)first year of Cyrus the king.

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

21 Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.(V)

21 So Daniel remained there in service until the first year of King Cyrus.

21 And Daniel remained there until the (h)first year of [the reign of] King Cyrus [over Babylon; now this was at the end of the seventy-year exile of Judah (the Southern Kingdom) in Babylonia, as foretold by Jeremiah].(E)

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