1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god. And he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

3 And the king spoke to Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials that he should bring some of the sons of Israel, and of the kings seed, and of the nobles,

4 young men in whom was no blemish, but who were of good appearance and having understanding in all wisdom, having knowledge and understanding science, even those with ability in them to stand in the kings palace; to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.

5 And the king appointed for them a daily portion every day, from the kings food, and of the wine which he drank, even to raise them three years, so that at the end of that time they might stand before the king.

6 And there were among those of the sons of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,