4. They should be young men without any defect, handsome, proficient in wisdom, well informed, and insightful, such as could take their place in the king’s palace; he was to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
5. The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine from the royal table. After three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service.
6. Among these were Judeans, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
7. The chief chamberlain changed their names: Daniel to Belteshazzar, Hananiah to Shadrach, Mishael to Meshach, and Azariah to Abednego.
8. But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine; so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement.
9. Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain,
10. he said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who allotted your food and drink. If he sees that you look thinner in comparison to the other young men of your age, you will endanger my life with the king.”
11. Then Daniel said to the guardian whom the chief chamberlain had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12. “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.
13. Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men who eat from the royal table, and treat your servants according to what you see.”
14. He agreed to this request, and tested them for ten days;
15. after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table.
16. So the steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.
17. To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all literature and wisdom, and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams.