⁴ young men without any physical defect, handsome,^(A) showing aptitude for every kind of learning,^(B) well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language^(C) and literature of the Babylonians.^[a]

⁵ The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine^(A) from the king’s table.^(B) They were to be trained for three years,^(C) and after that they were to enter the king’s service.^(D)