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

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials.

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

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 make me forfeit my head to the king."

And 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.

But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

"Please put your servants to the test for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

"Then let our appearance be examined in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king's choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see."

Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

So he listened to them in this matter, and put them to the test for ten days.

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

And at the end of ten days their appearance seemed better, and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king's choice food.

And 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's meat.

So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.