Daniel 10
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of the Persians a thing was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Baltasar; and the thing was true, and great power and understanding in the vision was given to him.
In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel (also called Belteshazzar). The message was certain and concerned a great conflict. He understood the message and gained understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
When this happened, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, and no flesh or wine entered into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself with oil, until three whole weeks were accomplished.
I ate no fine food. No meat or wine passed my lips. I used no perfumed oils until those three weeks were over.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was near the great river, which is Tigris Eddekel.
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was standing on the bank of the great River Tigris.
5 And I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a man clothed in linen, and his loins were girded with gold of Ophaz:
I looked around and saw a man dressed in linen, and around his waist was a belt of pure gold.
6 and his body was as Tharsis, and his face was a the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his legs as the appearance of shining brass, and the voice of his words as the voice of a multitude.
His body shone like a jewel; his face was as bright as lightning; his eyes were like blazing torches; his arms and legs gleamed like polished bronze; and his voice sounded like the roar of a crowd.
7 And I Daniel only saw the vision: and the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great amazement fell upon them, and they fled in fear.
I, Daniel, was the only one to see this vision—the others with me did not see the vision, but they suddenly felt very frightened and ran away to hide themselves.
8 So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there was no strength left in me, and my glory was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength.
I was left alone to see this wonderful vision. My strength drained away, and my face turned pale as death. I didn't have an ounce of strength left.
9 Yet I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard him I was pricked [in the heart], and [I fell with] my face to the earth.
I heard him speaking, and when I heard his voice I lost consciousness and I lay face down on the ground.
10 And, behold, a hand touched me, and it raised me on my knees.
Then a hand touched me and lifted me onto my hands and knees.
11 And he said to me, O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words which I speak to you, and stand upright: for I am now sent to you. And when he had spoken to me this word, I stood trembling.
He said to me, “Daniel, God loves you very much. Pay attention to what I'm telling you. Stand up, because I have been sent to you.” When he told me this I stood up, trembling.
12 And he said to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to afflict yourself before the Lord your God, they words were heard, and I am come because of your words.
“Don't be afraid, Daniel,” he said. “From the first day you concentrated on trying to understand this, and to humble yourself before God, your prayer was heard, and I have come to answer you.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of the Persians withstood me twenty-one days: and behold, Michael, one of the princes, came to help me; and I left him there with the chief of the kingdom of the Persians:
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was being detained there by the kings of Persia.
14 and I have come to inform you of all that shall befall your people in the last days: for the vision is yet for [many] days.
Now I've come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision is about a time in the future.”
15 And when he had spoken with me according to these words, I turned my face to the ground, and was pricked [in the heart].
As he told me this I remained there with my face to the ground and couldn't say a word.
16 And, behold, as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips; and I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, O [my] lord, at the sight of you my bowels were turned within me, and I had no strength.
Then the one who looked like a human being touched my lips and I was able to speak. I told the one standing in front of me, “My lord, since I saw the vision I've been in agony and I feel really weak.
17 And how shall your servant be able, O [my] lord, to speak with this my lord? and as for me, from henceforth strength will not remain in me, and there is no breath left in me.
How can I, your servant, speak to you, my lord? I have no strength, and I can hardly breathe.”
18 And there touched me again as it were the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
Once again the one who looked like a human being touched me and restored my strength.
19 and said to me, Fear not, man greatly beloved: peace be to you, quit yourself like a man, and be strong. And when he had spoken with me, I received strength, and said, Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me.
“Don't be afraid; God loves you very much. May you have peace! Be strong! Have courage!” As he spoke to me, I became stronger and I said, “My lord, speak to me, for you have strengthened me.”
20 And he said, Know you, therefore I am come to you? and now I will return to fight with the prince of the Persians: and I was going in, and the prince of the Greeks came.
“Do you know why I've come to you?” he asked. “Shortly I will have to go back and fight the prince of Persia, and after that the prince of Greece will come.
21 But I will tell you that which is ordained in the scripture of truth: and there is no one that holds with me in these matters but Michael your prince.
But before that I will tell you what is written down in the Book of Truth. No one helps me fight against these princes except Michael your prince.
