Daniel 1:3-5

New Catholic Bible

³ Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring into the palace some Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility; ⁴ young men who were handsome and without physical defects of any kind, possessing an aptitude for every branch of knowledge and with great insight, clearly showing the necessary competence to serve in the king’s palace. Those so chosen were to be instructed in the language and the literature of the Chaldeans.

⁵ The king designated a daily allotment of food and wine from the royal table for them. After having been educated for three years, they would enter the king’s service.