Daniel 1:8-21 - Daniel's Resolve

⁸ But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's royal food, 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 gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. ¹⁰ The prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths who are of your own age? So would you endanger my head with the king."

¹¹ Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ¹² "Test your servants for ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat, and water to drink. ¹³ Then let our faces be looked on before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king's royal food; and as you see, deal with your servants." ¹⁴ So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them ten days. ¹⁵ At the end of ten days their faces appeared better and fatter than all the youths who ate of the king's royal food. ¹⁶ So the steward took away their royal food, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them vegetables.

¹⁷ Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. ¹⁸ At the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹ The king talked with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore they entered the king's service. ²⁰ In every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm. ²¹ Daniel continued even to the first year of king Cyrus.