Daniel 1:8-16
Modern English Version
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s food, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the master of the officials that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favor and compassion with the master of the officials. 10 The master of the officials said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king who has appointed your food and your drink. For why should he see your faces worse-looking than the youths who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
11 Then Daniel said to the steward, whom the master of the officials 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 countenances be looked upon before you, and the countenance of the youths who eat of the portion of the king’s food. And as you see, deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented to them in this matter and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter than all the youths who ate the portion of the king’s food. 16 Thus the guard continued to take away the portion of their food and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
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Daniel 1:8-16
Lexham English Bible
Daniel’s Resolve
8 Now Daniel resolved[a] that he would not defile himself with the fine food of the king, and with the wine that he drank,[b] and so he requested from the commander of the court officials permission so that he would not defile himself. 9 And God[c] gave Daniel favor and compassion before[d] the commander of the court officials, 10 and the commander of the court officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord, the king, who has determined your food and your drink, for why should[e] he see your face having a worse appearance than the young men who are your age?[f] Then you will endanger my head with the king.” 11 Then[g] Daniel asked the guard[h] whom the commander of the court officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us some of the vegetables,[i] and let us eat and let us drink water. 13 Then[j] let our appearances and the appearance of the young men who are eating the fine food of the king be compared before you,[k] and then deal with your servants according to what you see.”[l] 14 So he agreed to this proposal with them, and he tested them for ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their appearances appeared better and they were healthier of body than all the young men who were eating the fine food of the king. 16 So[m] the guard continued to withhold[n] their fine food and the wine of their drink, and he gave them[o] vegetables.
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- Daniel 1:8 Literally “Daniel placed upon his heart”
- Daniel 1:8 Literally “the wine of his drink”
- Daniel 1:9 Hebrew “the God”
- Daniel 1:9 Literally “to the face of”
- Daniel 1:10 Literally “to what would”
- Daniel 1:10 Literally “like your age”; “your” is plural
- Daniel 1:11 Hebrew “And”
- Daniel 1:11 Or “overseer”
- Daniel 1:12 Literally “from the vegetables”
- Daniel 1:13 Hebrew “And”
- Daniel 1:13 Literally “in your presence”
- Daniel 1:13 Literally “and according to/that you see”
- Daniel 1:16 Literally “And it happened”
- Daniel 1:16 Literally “he was … withdrawing”
- Daniel 1:16 Hebrew “to them”
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
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