Anno tertio regni Joakim regis Juda, venit Nabuchodonosor, rex Babylonis, in Jerusalem, et obsedit eam:

In the third year of the reign of Joakim king of Juda, Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and beseiged it.

When Nabuchodonosor, king of Babylon, marched against Jerusalem and laid siege to it, in Joakim’s third year as king of Juda,

et tradidit Dominus in manu ejus Joakim, regem Juda, et partem vasorum domus Dei: et asportavit ea in terram Sennaar in domum dei sui, et vasa intulit in domum thesauri dei sui.

And the Lord delivered into his hands Joakim the king of Juda, and part of the vessels of the house of God: and he carried them away into the land of Sennaar, to the house of his god, and the vessels he brought into the treasure house of his god.

the Lord gave him the mastery. Not only Joakim fell into his hands, but … some of the temple treasures, which he carried off to Sennaar as offerings to his own god, and there, in the treasure-house of his own god’s temple, bestowed them.

Et ait rex Asphenez præposito eunuchorum ut introduceret de filiis Israël, et de semine regio et tyrannorum,

And the king spoke to Asphenez the master of the eunuchs, that he should bring in some of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed and of the princes,

Meanwhile, he had a command for Asphenez, his head chamberlain. He was to take under his charge certain young Israelites, of royal or princely stock,

pueros in quibus nulla esset macula, decoros forma, et eruditos omni sapientia, cautos scientia, et doctos disciplina, et qui possent stare in palatio regis, ut doceret eos litteras et linguam Chaldæorum.

Children in whom there was no blemish, well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, acute in knowledge, and instructed in science, and such as might stand in the king’s palace, that he might teach them the learning, and tongue of the Chaldeans.

in body well formed, handsome of mien, so well versed and grounded, so keen of wit, as they might be taught lore and language of the Chaldaeans, and have places at his court.

Et constituit eis rex annonam per singulos dies de cibis suis, et de vino unde bibebat ipse, ut enutriti tribus annis, postea starent in conspectu regis.

And the king appointed them a daily provision, of his own meat, and of the wine of which he drank himself, that being nourished three years, afterwards they might stand before the king.

For three years they should have daily allowance of the king’s meat and wine; then he would send for them.

Fuerunt ergo inter eos de filiis Juda, Daniel, Ananias, Misaël, et Azarias.

Now there was among them of the children of Juda, Daniel, Ananias, Misael, and Azarias.

Among these were four tribesmen of Juda, called Daniel, Ananias, Misael and Azarias;

Et imposuit eis præpositus eunuchorum nomina: Danieli, Baltassar; Ananiæ, Sidrach; Misaëli, Misach; et Azariæ, Abdenago.

And the master of the eunuchs gave them names: to Daniel, Baltassar: to Ananias, Sidrach: to Misael, Misach: and to Azarias, Abdenago.

the chamberlain had given them fresh names, to Daniel Baltassar, to Ananias Sidrach, to Misael Misach, and to Azarias Abdenago.

Proposuit autem Daniel in corde suo ne pollueretur de mensa regis, neque de vino potus ejus: et rogavit eunuchorum præpositum ne contaminaretur.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not be defiled with the king’s table, nor with the wine which he drank: and he requested the master of the eunuchs that he might not be defiled.

Daniel had resolved, neither meat nor wine from the royal table should sully his lips; and for this abstinence he hoped to get leave from the head chamberlain;

Dedit autem Deus Danieli gratiam et misericordiam in conspectu principis eunuchorum.

And God gave to Daniel grace and mercy in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs.

with such kindness and pity God had touched his heart.

Et ait princeps eunuchorum ad Danielem: Timeo ego dominum meum regem, qui constituit vobis cibum et potum: qui si viderit vultus vestros macilentiores præ ceteris adolescentibus coævis vestris, condemnabitis caput meum regi.

And the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel: I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed you meat and drink: who if he should see your faces leaner than those of the other youths your equals, you shall endanger my head to the king.

But this would not serve; Nay, said he, what of the charge my lord king gave me, that you should have food and drink? It were as much as my life is worth, if he saw you haggard-cheeked beside others of your own age.

Et dixit Daniel ad Malasar, quem constituerat princeps eunuchorum super Danielem, Ananiam, Misaëlem, et Azariam:

And Daniel said to Malasar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Ananias, Misael, and Azarias:

Hereupon Daniel went to Malasar, one of the other chamberlains, to whose care Asphenez had entrusted all four of them.

Tenta nos, obsecro, servos tuos, diebus decem, et dentur nobis legumina ad vescendum, et aqua ad bibendum:

Try, I beseech thee, thy servants for ten days, and let pulse be given us to eat, and water to drink:

Sir, said he, be pleased to put us on our trial. For ten days, give us nothing but pulse to eat, water to drink,

et contemplare vultus nostros, et vultus puerorum, qui vescuntur cibo regio: et sicut videris, facies cum servis tuis.

And look upon our faces, and the faces of the children that eat of the king’s meat: and as thou shalt see, deal with thy servants.

then compare our looks with the looks of those others who have fed on the king’s bounty; judge by what thou seest, and do with us what thou wilt.

Qui, audito sermone hujuscemodi, tentavit eos diebus decem.

And when he had heard these words, he tried them for ten days.

The challenge was accepted, and the ten days’ trial began;

Post dies autem decem, apparuerunt vultus eorum meliores, et corpulentiores præ omnibus pueris, qui vescebantur cibo regio.

And after ten days their faces appeared fairer and fatter than all the children that ate of the king’s meat.

when it was over, never a one of the king’s pensioners shewed healthy and well nourished as they.

Porro Malasar tollebat cibaria, et vinum potus eorum: dabatque eis legumina.

So Malasar took their portions, and the wine that they should drink: and he gave them pulse.

After that, Malasar had their allowance of meat and wine, and they pulse.

Pueris autem his dedit Deus scientiam et disciplinam, in omni libro et sapientia: Danieli autem intelligentiam omnium visionum et somniorum.

And to these children God gave knowledge, and understanding in every book, and wisdom: but to Daniel the understanding also of all visions and dreams.

Meanwhile, in all lore and learning, God made apt pupils of these four; and of visions and dreams especially Daniel was master.

Completis itaque diebus, post quos dixerat rex ut introducerentur, introduxit eos præpositus eunuchorum in conspectu Nabuchodonosor.

And when the days were ended, after which the king had ordered they should be brought in: the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nabuchodonosor.

And now, the time of their probation over, Asphenez presented his pupils before Nabuchodonosor,

Cumque eis locutus fuisset rex, non sunt inventi tales de universis, ut Daniel, Ananias, Misaël, et Azarias: et steterunt in conspectu regis.

And when the king had spoken to them, there were not found among them all such as Daniel, Ananias, Misael, and Azarias: and they stood in the king’s presence.

who had speech with all of them; and no match was found for Daniel, Ananias, Misael and Azarias; all must have places at court.

Et omne verbum sapientiæ et intellectus, quod sciscitatus est ab eis rex, invenit in eis decuplum super cunctos ariolos et magos qui erant in universo regno ejus.

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the diviners, and wise men, that were in all his kingdom.

Never a question the king could propound, to make trial of their learning and their quick wits, but they could answer it ten times better than any diviner or sage in his kingdom.

Fuit autem Daniel usque ad annum primum Cyri regis.

And Daniel continued even to the first year of king Cyrus.

And still, up to the beginning of Cyrus’ reign, Daniel was …