3 The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, to bring in some of the Israelites, some of the royal line and of the nobility.
4 They should be young men without any defect, handsome, proficient in wisdom, well informed, and insightful, such as could take their place in the king’s palace; he was to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
5 The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine from the royal table. After three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service.
6 Among these were Judeans, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
7 The chief chamberlain changed their names: Daniel to Belteshazzar, Hananiah to Shadrach, Mishael to Meshach, and Azariah to Abednego.
8 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.
9 Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain,