First Reading: Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, 
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came 
and laid siege to Jerusalem. 
The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah, 
and some of the vessels of the temple of God; 
he carried them off to the land of Shinar, 
and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his god. 
The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, 
to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood 
and of the nobility, young men without any defect, 
handsome, intelligent and wise, 
quick to learn, and prudent in judgment, 
such as could take their place in the king’s palace; 
they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans; 
after three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service. 
The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine 
from the royal table. 
Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, 
Mishael, and Azariah. 
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. 
Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy 
of the chief chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel, 
“I am afraid of my lord the king; 
it is he who allotted your food and drink. 
If he sees that you look wretched 
by comparison with the other young men of your age, 
you will endanger my life with the king.” 
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain 
had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, 
Mishael, and Azariah, 
“Please test your servants for ten days. 
Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 
Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men 
who eat from the royal table, 
and treat your servants according to what you see.” 
He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; 
after ten days they looked healthier and better fed 
than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. 
So the steward continued to take away 
the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables. 
To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency 
in all literature and science, 
and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams. 
At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, 
the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. 
When the king had spoken with all of them, 
none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, 
Mishael, and Azariah; 
and so they entered the king’s service. 
In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them, 
he found them ten times better 
than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.