Daniel 1:8–16

⁸And Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not pollute himself with the king’s delicate food, nor with the wine which he drank; and he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not have to pollute himself. ⁹And God granted Daniel favour and mercy before the prince of the eunuchs. ¹⁰And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king who hath appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces worse liking than the youths who are of your age? and ye would endanger my head with the king. ¹¹And Daniel said to the steward, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ¹²Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink; ¹³then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king’s delicate food: and as thou shalt see, deal with thy servants. ¹⁴And he hearkened unto them in this matter, and proved them ten days. ¹⁵And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and were fatter in flesh than all the youths that ate of the king’s delicate food. ¹⁶So the steward took away their delicate food, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.