9. God caused Ashpenaz, the man in charge of the officials, to be kind and loyal to Daniel.
10. But Ashpenaz told Daniel, “I am afraid of my master, the king. He ordered me to give you this food and drink. If you don’t eat this food, you will begin to look weak and sick. You will look worse than other young men your age. The king will see this, and he will become angry with me. He might cut off my head. And it would be your fault.”
11. Then Daniel talked to the guard who had been put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah by Ashpenaz.
12. He said, “Please give us this test for ten days: Don’t give us anything but vegetables to eat and water to drink.
13. Then after ten days, compare us with the other young men who eat the king’s food. See for yourself who looks healthier, and then decide how you want to treat us, your servants.”
14. So the guard agreed to test Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah for ten days.
15. After ten days, Daniel and his friends looked healthier than all the young men who ate the king’s food.
16. So the guard continued to take away the king’s special food and wine and to give only vegetables to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
17. God gave these four young men the wisdom and ability to learn many different kinds of writing and science. Daniel could also understand all kinds of visions and dreams.