Study Desk

The king also allotted for them a daily ration from the ^(C1)king's choice food and from the wine which he drank, and ordered that they be educated for three years, at the end of which they were to ^(F1)(C2)enter the king's personal service.

Now among them from the sons of Judah were ^(C1)Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name ^(C1)Belteshazzar, to Hananiah ^(C2)Shadrach, to Mishael ^(C2)Meshach, and to Azariah ^(C2)Abed-nego.

But Daniel ^(F1)made up his mind that he would not ^(C1)defile himself with the ^(C2)king's choice food or with the ^(C3)wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.

Now God granted Daniel ^(C1)favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials.

The commander of the officials said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has allotted your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking gaunt in comparison to the youths who are your own age? Then you would ^(F1)make me forfeit my head to the king."