⁶ Among these were Judeans, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

^7 [a]The chief chamberlain changed their names: Daniel to Belteshazzar, Hananiah to Shadrach, Mishael to Meshach, and Azariah to Abednego.

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. ¹⁸ At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹ When the king had spoken with all of them, none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and so they entered the king’s service. ²⁰ In any question of wisdom or understanding which the king put to them, he found them ten times better than any of the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.