A reading from the beginning of the book of the prophet Daniel.

In the third year of the reign of Jeocum, King of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and laid seeds to Jerusalem.

The Lord handed over to Him Jehacum, King of Judah, and some of the vessels of the temple of God.

Carried them off to the land of Shinar and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of His God.

The king told Aspeth, his chief Chamberlain,

to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood

and of the nobility, young men without effect,

handsome, intelligent, and wise,

quick to learn and prudent in judgment,

such as could take their place in the king's palace.

They were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans. After three years training, they were to enter the king's service.

The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine from the royal temple.

Among these men of Judah were men of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Michiao, and Azariah.

But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the king's food or wine, so he begged the chief

Chamberlain to spare him this defilement. Though God had given Daniel the favor of the chief

chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel, I'm afraid of my lord the king. It is he who allotted

you food and drink. If he sees that you look

wretched by comparison with the other young men of your age, you will endanger my life with

the King. Then Daniel said to the steward from the chief, whom the Chief Chamberlain had put in

charge of Daniel, Anania, Mishiao, and Azariah, please test

your servants for 10 days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then see how we look

in comparison with the other young men who eat from the royal table. And treat your servants

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