Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring (A)some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men (B)in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and (C)whom they might teach the language and [a]literature of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might (D)serve before the king. Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. (E)To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: (F)he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself (G)with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now (H)God had brought Daniel into the favor and [b]goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”

11 So Daniel said to [c]the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus [d]the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

17 As for these four young men, (I)God gave them (J)knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had (K)understanding in all visions and dreams.

18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king [e]interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore (L)they served before the king. 20 (M)And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21 (N)Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 1:4 Lit. writing or book
  2. Daniel 1:9 kindness
  3. Daniel 1:11 Or Melzar
  4. Daniel 1:16 Or Melzar
  5. Daniel 1:19 Lit. talked with them

Submit to Government

13 Let every soul be (A)subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists (B)the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [a]bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? (C)Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore (D)you must be subject, not only because of wrath (E)but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. (F)Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 13:2 Lit. receive

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?(A)

15 (B)Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the (C)Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not [a]regard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

18 But Jesus [b]perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.”

So they brought Him a denarius.

20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”

21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

And He said to them, (D)“Render[c] therefore to Caesar the things that are (E)Caesar’s, and to God the things that are (F)God’s.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 22:16 Lit. look at the face of
  2. Matthew 22:18 knew
  3. Matthew 22:21 Pay

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