Daniel 1:8-20
8
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9
Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs.
10
And the prince of the eunuchs 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 of your⁺ own age? So you⁺ would endanger my head with the king.
11
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
12
Prove your slaves, I urge you, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13
Then let our countenances be looked on before you, and the countenance of the youths who eat of the king's dainties; and as you see, deal with your slaves.
14
So he listened to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths who ate of the king's dainties.
16
So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.
17
Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18
And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19
And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20
And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the sacred scholars and psychics who were in all his realm.[fn]
Footnotes
20
sacred scholars - see footnote at Genesis 41:8.
psychics in the book of Daniel is used in the general sense of one who interprets signs, communicates with spirits, and other does other rituals to determine one's fate.