1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.2And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia[1] and put in the treasure-house of his god.3Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility –4young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.[2]5The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.6Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.7The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.8But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way.9Now God had caused the official to show favour and compassion to Daniel,10but the official told Daniel, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[3] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men of your age? The king would then have my head because of you.’11Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,12‘Please test your servants for ten days: give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.13Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.’14So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.15At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.16So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.17To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.18At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.19The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service.20In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.21And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Daniel 1
Nuova Riveduta 2006
from Società Biblica di Ginevra
Daniele e i suoi compagni a Babilonia
1Il terzo anno del regno di Ioiachim, re di Giuda, Nabucodonosor, re di Babilonia, marciò contro Gerusalemme e l’assediò.2Il Signore gli diede nelle mani Ioiachim, re di Giuda, e una parte degli arredi della casa di Dio. Nabucodonosor portò gli arredi nel paese di Scinear, nella casa del suo dio, e li mise nella casa del tesoro del suo dio.3Il re disse ad Aspenaz, capo dei suoi eunuchi, di condurgli dei figli d’Israele, di stirpe reale o di famiglie nobili.4Dovevano essere ragazzi senza difetti fisici, di bell’aspetto, dotati di ogni saggezza, istruiti e intelligenti, capaci di stare nel palazzo reale per apprendere la scrittura e la lingua dei Caldei.5Il re assegnò loro una razione giornaliera dei cibi della sua tavola e dei vini che egli beveva, e ordinò di istruirli per tre anni dopo i quali sarebbero passati al servizio del re.6Tra di loro c’erano dei figli di Giuda: Daniele, Anania, Misael e Azaria.7Il capo degli eunuchi diede loro altri nomi[1]: a Daniele pose nome Baltazzar, ad Anania, Sadrac, a Misael, Mesac e ad Azaria, Abed-Nego.8Daniele prese in cuor suo la decisione di non contaminarsi con i cibi del re e con il vino che il re beveva, e chiese al capo degli eunuchi di non obbligarlo a contaminarsi.9Dio fece trovare a Daniele grazia e compassione presso il capo degli eunuchi.10Questi disse a Daniele: «Io temo il re mio signore, che ha stabilito quello che dovete mangiare e bere; se egli vedesse le vostre facce più magre di quelle dei giovani della vostra stessa età, voi mettereste in pericolo la mia testa presso il re».11Allora Daniele disse al maggiordomo, al quale il capo degli eunuchi aveva affidato la cura di Daniele, di Anania, di Misael e di Azaria:12«Ti prego, metti i tuoi servi alla prova per dieci giorni: dacci da mangiare legumi e da bere acqua.13In seguito confronterai il nostro aspetto con quello dei giovani che mangiano i cibi del re e ti regolerai su ciò che dovrai fare».14Il maggiordomo accordò loro quanto domandavano e li mise alla prova per dieci giorni.15Alla fine dei dieci giorni essi avevano miglior aspetto ed erano più prosperosi di tutti i giovani che avevano mangiato i cibi del re.16Così il maggiordomo portò via il cibo e il vino che erano loro destinati, e diede loro legumi.17A questi quattro giovani Dio diede di conoscere e comprendere ogni scrittura e ogni saggezza. Daniele aveva il dono di interpretare ogni specie di visioni e di sogni.18Giunto il momento della loro presentazione, il capo degli eunuchi condusse i giovani da Nabucodonosor.19Il re parlò con loro, ma fra tutti quei giovani non se ne trovò nessuno che fosse pari a Daniele, Anania, Misael e Azaria, i quali furono ammessi al servizio del re.20Su tutti i punti che richiedevano saggezza e intelletto, sui quali il re li interrogasse, egli li trovava dieci volte superiori a tutti i magi e astrologi che erano in tutto il suo regno.21Daniele continuò così fino al primo anno del re Ciro.
1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. (2Ki 24:1; 2Ch 36:6)2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. (Ge 11:2; 2Ki 24:13; 2Ch 36:7; 2Ch 36:10; Ezr 5:14; Jer 27:18; Da 5:2; Zec 5:11)3Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family[1] and of the nobility, (2Ki 20:18; Es 1:3; Isa 39:7)4youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. (Le 24:19; 2Sa 14:25; Isa 47:10; Da 1:17; Da 2:2; Da 2:4; Da 2:10; Da 3:8; Da 4:7; Da 5:7; Da 5:11; Da 9:22)5The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. (Ge 41:46; 1Ki 10:8; Da 1:8; Da 1:16; Da 1:18; Da 2:2; Da 11:26)6Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. (Eze 14:14; Eze 14:20; Da 2:17; Mt 24:15)7And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. (2Ki 23:34; 2Ki 24:17; Da 1:3; Da 2:26; Da 4:8; Da 4:18; Da 5:12; Da 10:1)
Daniel’s Faithfulness
8But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. (Le 3:17; Eze 4:13; Da 1:5; Ho 9:3; 2Co 9:7)9And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, (Ge 39:21; Ps 106:46; Pr 16:7)10and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.”11Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,12“Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. (Re 2:10)13Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” (Da 1:5)14So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.15At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. (Da 1:5)16So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. (Da 1:11; Da 1:12)17As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. (Job 32:8; Da 1:4; Da 2:20; Da 2:23; Da 5:12; Da 9:23; Da 10:1; Da 10:11; Jas 1:5)18At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. (Da 1:5)19And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. (Da 2:2)20And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. (Ge 41:8; Ge 41:24; Ex 7:11; Ex 7:22; Ex 8:7; Ex 8:18; Ex 9:11; Da 2:2; Da 2:10; Da 2:27; Da 4:7; Da 5:7; Da 5:11; Da 5:15)21And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus. (Da 6:28; Da 10:1)
Daniel 1
King James Version
1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.3And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king' seed, and of the princes;4Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king' palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.5And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king' meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king' meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.9Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.10And 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.11Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.13Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king' meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.14So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.15And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king' meat.16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.18Now 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.19And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.20And 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.21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
1It was the third year that Jehoiakim was king of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. His armies surrounded the city and attacked it.2The Lord handed Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, over to him. Nebuchadnezzar also took some of the objects from God’s temple. He carried them off to the temple of his god in Babylon. He put them among the treasures of his god.3The king gave Ashpenaz an order. Ashpenaz was the chief of Nebuchadnezzar’s court officials. The king told him to bring him some of the Israelites. The king wanted them to serve him in his court. He wanted nobles and men from the royal family.4He was looking for young men who were healthy and handsome. They had to be able to learn anything. They had to be well educated. They had to have the ability to understand new things quickly and easily. The king wanted men who could serve in his palace. Ashpenaz was supposed to teach them the Babylonian language and writings.5The king had his servants give them food and wine from his own table. They received a certain amount every day. The young men had to be trained for three years. After that, they could begin to serve the king.6Some of the men chosen were from Judah. Their names were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.7The chief official gave them new names. He gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar. He gave Hananiah the name Shadrach. He gave Mishael the name Meshach. And he gave Azariah the name Abednego.8Daniel decided not to make himself ‘unclean’ by eating the king’s food and drinking his wine. So he asked the chief official for a favour. He wanted permission not to make himself ‘unclean’ with the king’s food and wine.9God had caused the official to be kind and friendly to Daniel.10But the official refused to do what Daniel asked for. He said, ‘I’m afraid of the king. He is my master. He has decided what you and your three friends must eat and drink. Other young men are the same age as you. Why should he see you looking worse than them? When he sees how you look, he might kill me.’11So Daniel spoke to one of the guards. The chief official had appointed him over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.12Daniel said to him, ‘Please test us for ten days. Give us nothing but vegetables to eat. And give us only water to drink.13Then compare us with the young men who eat the king’s food. See how we look. After that, do what you want to.’14So the guard agreed. He tested them for ten days.15After the ten days Daniel and his friends looked healthy and well fed. In fact, they looked better than any of the young men who ate the king’s food.16So the guard didn’t require them to eat the king’s special food. He didn’t require them to drink the king’s wine either. He gave them vegetables instead.17God gave knowledge and understanding to these four young men. So they understood all kinds of writings and subjects. And Daniel could understand all kinds of visions and dreams.18The three years the king had set for their training ended. So the chief official brought them to Nebuchadnezzar.19The king talked with them. He didn’t find anyone equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So they began to serve the king.20He asked them for advice in matters that required wisdom and understanding. The king always found their answers to be the best. Other men in his kingdom claimed to get knowledge by using magic. But the answers of Daniel and his friends were ten times better than theirs.21Daniel served in Babylon until the first year Cyrus ruled over the land of Babylon. Cyrus was king of Persia.