但以理和他的朋友
（1．1－6．28）
但以理在尼布甲尼撒的宫廷里
犹大王约雅敬在位第三年，巴比伦王尼布甲尼撒来到耶路撒冷，将城围困。
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2主将犹大王约雅敬和神殿中的一些器皿交在他的手中。他就把他们带到示拿地他神明的庙里，将器皿收入他神明的库房中。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王吩咐太监长亚施毗拿，从以色列人的王室后裔和贵族中带进几个人来，And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
4就是没有残疾、相貌俊美、通达各样学问☛“学问”：原文是“智慧”；下同。、知识聪明俱备、足能在王宫侍立的少年，要教他们迦勒底的文字和语言。Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5王从自己所用的膳和所饮的酒中，派给他们每日的分量，养育他们三年，好叫他们期满以后侍立在王面前。And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6他们中间有犹大人但以理、哈拿尼雅、米沙利和亚撒利雅。Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7太监长给他们另外起名，称但以理为伯提沙撒，称哈拿尼雅为沙得拉，称米沙利为米煞，称亚撒利雅为亚伯尼歌。Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8但以理却立志，不以王的膳和王所饮的酒玷污自己，于是恳求太监长容他不使自己玷污。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.
9神使但以理在太监长眼前蒙恩，得怜悯。Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10太监长对但以理说：“我惧怕我主我王，他已经派给你们的饮食，何必让他见你们的面貌比你们同年龄的少年憔悴呢？这样，你们就使我的头在王那里不保了。”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.
11但以理对太监长所派监管但以理、哈拿尼雅、米沙利、亚撒利雅的管理者说：Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12“请你考验仆人们十天，给我们素菜吃，清水喝，Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13然后你亲自观察我们的面貌和那用王膳的少年的面貌；就照你所观察的待你的仆人吧！”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.
14管理者准许他们这件事，考验他们十天。So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15过了十天，他们的身材看来比所有享用王膳的少年更加俊美健壮，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.
16于是管理者撤去王派给他们用的膳和所饮的酒，只给他们素菜。Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17这四个少年，神在各样文字学问上赐给他们知识和聪明；但以理又明白各样异象和梦兆。As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18王吩咐带他们进宫的日子到了，太监长就把他们带到尼布甲尼撒面前。Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19王与他们谈论，在所有少年中找不到人能与但以理、哈拿尼雅、米沙利、亚撒利雅相比，于是他们就在王面前侍立。And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20王考问他们一切智慧和聪明的事，发现他们比全国所有的术士和巫师胜过十倍。And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21到居鲁士王元年，但以理还健在。And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.