1 GLT In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. BSB BSB: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
2 GLT The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels from the house of God. He brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. BSB BSB: And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god.
3 GLT Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, BSB BSB: Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring in some Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—
4 GLT youths in whom was no blemish, who were good- looking, skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge and understanding learning, and who were competent to stand in the palace of the king, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. BSB BSB: young men without blemish, handsome, gifted in all wisdom, knowledgeable, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace—and to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
5 GLT The king assigned them a daily portion of the choice food of the king and of the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of which they were to stand before the king. BSB BSB: The king assigned them daily provisions of the royal food and wine. They were to be trained for three years, after which they were to enter the king’s service.
6 GLT Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, some of the sons of Judah. BSB BSB: Among these young men were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
7 GLT The chief of the officials gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. BSB BSB: The chief official gave them new names: To Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
8 GLT But Daniel resolved in his heart that he would not defile himself with the choice food of the king or with the wine that he drank. So he asked permission from the chief of the officials that he might not defile himself. BSB BSB: But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.
9 GLT Now God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the officials. BSB BSB: Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official,
10 GLT The chief of the officials said to Daniel,“I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking worse than the youths who are of your own age? Then you would endanger my head with the king.” BSB BSB: but he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age? You would endanger my head before the king!”
11 GLT Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the officials had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. BSB BSB: Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 GLT “Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. BSB BSB: “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.
13 GLT Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who eat the choice food of the king, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” BSB BSB: Then compare our appearances with those of the young men who are eating the royal food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.”
14 GLT So he listened to them in this matter, and he tested them for ten days. BSB BSB: So he consented to this and tested them for ten days.
15 GLT At the end of ten days their appearance appeared better, and they were fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the choice food of the king. BSB BSB: And at the end of ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who were eating the king’s food.
16 GLT So the steward took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables. BSB BSB: So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.
17 GLT As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and insight in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. BSB BSB: To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.
18 GLT At the end of the time, when the king had commanded to bring them in, the chief of the officials brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. BSB BSB: Now at the end of the time specified by the king, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.
19 GLT The king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. BSB BSB: And the king spoke with them, and among all the young men he found no one equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the king’s service.
20 GLT In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters, who were in his entire kingdom. BSB BSB: In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
21 GLT And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus. BSB BSB: And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.