11. Then Daniel said to the steward, whom the master of the officials had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12. “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
13. Then let our countenances be looked upon before you, and the countenance of the youths who eat of the portion of the king’s food. And as you see, deal with your servants.”
14. So he consented to them in this matter and tested them for ten days.
15. At the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter than all the youths who ate the portion of the king’s food.
16. Thus the guard continued to take away the portion of their food and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
17. As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in every branch of learning and wisdom. And Daniel had understanding in all kinds of visions and dreams.
18. Now at the end of the days that the king had set for them to be brought in, the master of the officials brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19. The king spoke with them, and, among them all, none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they served before the king.
20. In all matters of wisdom and understanding which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21. Daniel continued even to the first year of King Cyrus.