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of Nebuchadnezzar； he made an expedition against Celesyria； and
when he had possessed himself of it； he made war against the
Ammonites and Moabites； and when he had brought all these nations
under subjection； he fell upon Egypt； in order to overthrow it；
and he slew the king that then reigned （15） and set up another；
and he took those Jews that were there captives； and led them
away to Babylon。 And such was the end of the nation of the
Hebrews； as it hath been delivered down to us； it having twice
gone beyond Euphrates； for the people of the ten tribes were
carried out of Samaria by the Assyrians； in the days of king
Hoshea； after which the people of the two tribes that remained
after Jerusalem was taken ＇were carried away＇ by Nebuchadnezzar；
the king of Babylon and Chaldea。 Now as to Shalmanezer； he
removed the Israelites out of their country； and placed therein
the nation of the Cutheans； who had formerly belonged to the
inner parts of Persia and Media； but were then called Samaritans；
by taking the name of the country to which they were removed； but
the king of Babylon； who brought out the two tribes； （16） placed
no other nation in their country； by which means all Judea and
Jerusalem； and the temple； continued to be a desert for seventy
years； but the entire interval of time which passed from the
captivity of the Israelites； to the carrying away of the two
tribes； proved to be a hundred and thirty years； six months； and
ten days。
CHAPTER 10。
Concerning Daniel And What Befell Him At Babylon；
1。 But now Nebuchadnezzar； king of Babylon； took some of the most
noble of the Jews that were children； and the kinsmen of Zedekiah
their king； such as were remarkable for the beauty of their
bodies； and the comeliness of their countenances； and delivered
them into the hands of tutors； and to the improvement to be made
by them。 He also made some of them to be eunuchs； which course he
took also with those of other nations whom he had taken in the
flower of their age； and afforded them their diet from his own
table； and had them instructed in the institutes of the country；
and taught the learning of the Chaldeans； and they had now
exercised themselves sufficiently in that wisdom which he had
ordered they should apply themselves to。 Now among these there
were four of the family of Zedekiah； of most excellent
dispositions； one of whom was called Daniel； another was called
Ananias； another Misael； and the fourth Azarias； and the king of
Babylon changed their names； and commanded that they should make
use of other names。 Daniel he called Baltasar； Ananias； Shadrach；
Misael； Meshach； and Azarias； Abednego。 These the king had in
esteem； and continued to love； because of the very excellent
temper they were of； and because of their application to
learning； and the profess they had made in wisdom。
2。 Now Daniel and his kinsmen had resolved to use a severe diet；
and to abstain from those kinds of food which came from the
king's table； and entirely to forbear to eat of all living
creatures。 So he came to Ashpenaz； who was that eunuch to whom
the care of them was committed； （17） and desired him to take and
spend what was brought for them from the king； but to give them
pulse and dates for their food； and any thing else； besides the
flesh of living creatures； that he pleased； for that their
inclinations were to that sort of food； and that they despised
the other。 He replied； that he was ready to serve them in what
they desired； but he suspected that they would be discovered by
the king； from their meagre bodies； and the alteration of their
countenances； because it could not be avoided but their bodies
and colors must be changed with their diet； especially while they
would be clearly discovered by the finer appearance of the other
children； who would fare better； and thus they should bring him
into danger； and occasion him to be punished； yet did they
persuade Arioch； who was thus fearful； to give them what food
they desired for ten days； by way of trial； and in case the habit
of their bodies were not altered； to go on in the same way； as
expecting that they should not be hurt thereby afterwards； but if
he saw them look meagre； and worse than the rest； he should
reduce them to their former diet。 Now when it appeared that they
were so far from becoming worse by the use of this food； that
they grew plumper and fuller in body than the rest； insomuch that
he thought those who fed on what came from the king's table
seemed less plump and full； while those that were with Daniel
looked as if they had lived in plenty； and in all sorts of
luxury。 Arioch； from that time； securely took himself what the
king sent every day from his supper； according to custom； to the
children； but gave them the forementioned diet； while they had
their souls in some measure more pure； and less burdened； and so
fitter for learning； and had their bodies in better tune for hard
labor； for they neither had the former oppressed and heavy with
variety of meats； nor were the other effeminate on the same
account； so they readily understood all the learning that was
among the Hebrews； and among the Chaldeans； as especially did
Daniel； who being already sufficiently skillful in wisdom； was
very busy about the interpretation of dreams； and God manifested
himself to him。
3。 Now two years after the destruction of Egypt； king
Nebuchadnezzar saw a wonderful dream； the accomplishment of which
God showed him in his sleep； but when he arose out of his bed； he
forgot the accomplishment。 So he sent for the Chaldeans and
magicians； and the prophets； and told them that he had seen a
dream； and informed them that he had forgotten the accomplishment
of what he had seen； and he enjoined them to tell him both what
the dream was； and what was its signification； and they said that
this was a thing impossible to be discovered by men； but they
promised him； that if he would explain to them what dream he had
seen； they would tell him its signification。 Hereupon he
threatened to put them to death； unless they told him his dream；
and he gave command to have them all put to death； since they
confessed they could not do what they were commanded to do。 Now
when Daniel heard that the king had given a command； that all the
wise men should be put to death； and that among them himself and
his three kinsmen were in danger； he went to Arioch； who was
captain of the king's guards； and desired to know of him what was
the reason why the king had given command that all the wise men；
and Chaldeans； and magicians should be slain。 So when he had
learned that the king had had a dream； and had forgotten it； and
that when they were enjoined to inform the king of it； they had
said they could not do it； and had thereby provoked him to anger；
he desired of Arioch that he would go in to the king； and desire
respite for the magicians for one night； and to put off their
slaughter so long； for that he hoped within that time to obtain；
by prayer to God； the knowledge of the dream。 Accordingly； Arioch
informed the king of what Daniel desired。 So the king bid them
delay the slaughter of the magicians till he knew what Daniel