Daniel 1:8-20

Daniel 1:8-20

[8] But Daniel  purposed  in his heart  that he would not defile  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  [9] Now God  had brought  Daniel  into favour  and tender love  with  the prince  of the eunuchs.  [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.  [11] Then said  Daniel  to Melzar,  whom the prince  of the eunuchs  had set  over Daniel,  Hananiah,  Mishael,  and Azariah,  [12] Prove  thy servants,  I beseech thee, ten  days;  and let them give  us pulse  to eat,  and water  to drink.  [13] Then let our countenances  be looked upon  before  thee, and the countenance  of the children  that eat  of the king's  meat:  and as thou seest,  deal  with thy servants.  [14] So he consented  to them in this matter,  and proved  them ten  days.  [15] And at the end  of ten  days  their countenances  appeared  fairer  and fatter  in flesh  than all the children  which did eat  of the king's  meat.  [16] Thus Melzar  took away  the portion of their meat,  and the wine  that they should drink;  and gave  them pulse.  [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.  [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.  [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.  [20] 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.