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Among these were Daniel, Hanani′ah, Mish′a-el, and Azari′ah of the tribe of Judah.
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And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshaz′zar, Hanani′ah he called Shadrach, Mish′a-el he called Meshach, and Azari′ah he called Abed′nego.
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But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s rich food, or with the wine which he drank; therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.
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And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs;
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and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear lest my lord the king, who appointed your food and your drink, should see that you were in poorer condition than the youths who are of your own age. So you would endanger my head with the king.”
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Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hanani′ah, Mish′a-el, and Azari′ah,
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As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all letters and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
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And the king spoke with them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hanani′ah, Mish′a-el, and Azari′ah; therefore they stood before the king.
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And Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.
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So the decree went forth that the wise men were to be slain, and they sought Daniel and his companions, to slay them.
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Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Ar′i-och, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to slay the wise men of Babylon;
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he said to Ar′i-och, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree of the king so severe?” Then Ar′i-och made the matter known to Daniel.
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And Daniel went in and besought the king to appoint him a time, that he might show to the king the interpretation.
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God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hanani′ah, Mish′a-el, and Azari′ah, his companions,
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and told them to seek mercy of the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
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Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
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Daniel said: “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.
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Daniel Interprets the Dream
Therefore Daniel went in to Ar′i-och, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said thus to him, “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.”
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Then Ar′i-och brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who can make known to the king the interpretation.”
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The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshaz′zar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?”
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Daniel answered the king, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery which the king has asked,
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Daniel and His Friends Promoted
Then King Nebuchadnez′zar fell upon his face, and did homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him.
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The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
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Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
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Daniel made request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed′nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel remained at the king’s court.
