Daniel 10
1 In the third year of Cyrus, king of the Persians, a message was revealed to Daniel, called Belteshazzar, and a true word, and great strength. And he understood the message, for understanding is needed in a vision.
During the third year that Cyrus was the king of Persia, I Daniel, [who had been given the] name Belteshazzar, received [another] message [from God]. The message was true, but it was very difficult for me to understand it. But [later] I understood the message because of the vision that I had seen.
2 In those days, I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks of days.
At that time I had been sad for three weeks [about what had happened to Jerusalem].
3 I ate no desirable bread, and neither meat, nor wine, entered my mouth, neither was I anointed with ointment, until the three weeks of days were completed.
I did not eat any tasty food or any meat or drink any wine. I did not even put any perfumed oil on my [face or hair] for those three weeks.
4 But on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was next to the great river, which is the Tigris.
[When those three weeks ended, ] on April 23, [my companions and] I were standing on the bank of the great Tigris River.
5 And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw, and behold, one man clothed in linen, and his waist was wrapped with the finest gold,
I looked up and saw someone there who was wearing fine white/linen clothes and a belt [made of] pure gold.
6 and his body was like the golden stone, and his face had the appearance of lightning, and his eyes that of a burning lamp, and his arms and all that is downward all the way to the feet had the appearance of glowing brass, and his speaking voice was like the voice of a multitude.
His body [shone] like a precious beryl stone. His face was as [bright as] a flash of lightning. His eyes [were/shone] like flaming torches. His arms and legs [shone] like polished bronze. And his voice was [very loud], like the roar of a huge crowd.
7 But I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see it, but an exceedingly great terror rushed over them, and they fled into hiding.
I, Daniel, was the only one who saw this vision. The men who were with me did not see anything, but [they sensed that someone was there, and they] became terrified. They ran away and hid themselves.
8 And I, having been left alone, saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me, moreover, my appearance was altered, and I languished, not having any strength.
So I was left there by myself, looking at this very unusual vision. I had no strength left. My face became very pale, with the result that no one would have recognized me.
9 And I heard the voice of his words, and when I heard, I lay down in confusion on my face, and my face was close to the ground.
I saw a man there, and when I heard him speak, I fell to the ground. I (fainted/became unconscious), [and I lay there] with my face on the ground.
10 And behold, a hand touched me, and raised me onto my knees and the knuckles of my hands.
Suddenly someone’s hand took hold of me and lifted me, with the result that I was on my hands and knees, [but I was still] trembling.
11 And he said to me, “Daniel, man of longing, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand yourself upright, for I am now sent to you.” And when he had said these words to me, I stood trembling.
The man said to me, “Daniel, [God] loves you very much. Stand up and listen to what I am going to say to you, because [God] sent me to you.” When he said that, I stood up, [but I was still] trembling.
12 And he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, because from the first day that you set your heart to understand, by afflicting yourself in the sight of your God, your words have been heeded, and I have arrived because of your words.
Then he said to me, “Daniel, do not be afraid. God has heard what you have prayed ever since the first day that you determined to humble yourself in order to understand [the vision]. I have come to you because of what you prayed.
13 But the leader of the kingdom of the Persians resisted me for twenty-one days, and behold, Michael, one of the primary leaders, came to help me, and I remained there next to the king of the Persians.
The [evil spirit who] rules the kingdom of Persia resisted/hindered me for 21 days, but Michael, who is one of God’s chief angels, came to help me. I left him there in Persia [to resist] that evil spirit who rules there.
14 But I have come to teach you what will happen to your people in the latter days, because the vision is for a long time from now.”
I have come here to enable you to understand what will happen to the Israeli people in the future. [Do not forget that] the vision [that you saw] is about [things that will happen in] the distant future, [not about things that will happen very soon].”
15 And while he was speaking words to me in this way, I cast my face down to the ground and was silent.
While he was saying that, I stared at the ground and was unable to say anything [because I was very afraid].
16 And behold, something in the likeness of a son of man touched my lips. Then, opening my mouth, I spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, at the sight of you, my limbs became weak and no strength has remained in me.
Suddenly [the angel], who resembled a human, touched my lips. Then [I was able to speak, and] I said to him, “Sir, because [I have seen] this vision, I have become very weak, with the result that I cannot stop trembling.
17 And so, how can the servant of my lord speak with my lord? For no strength remains in me; and even my breathing is hindered.”
I am not able [RHQ] to talk to you, my master. I have no strength left, and it is very difficult for me to breathe.”
18 Therefore, he who looked like a man, touched me again and strengthened me.
But he took hold of me again, and enabled me to become stronger again.
19 And he said, “Fear not, O man of longing. May peace be with you. Take courage and be strong.” And when he spoke to me, I recovered, and I said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”
He said to me, “You human, God loves you very much. [So] do not be afraid. I desire/want things to go well for you and that you will be encouraged.” When he had said that, I felt even stronger, and I said, “Sir, tell me [what you want to tell me]. You have enabled me to feel stronger.”
20 And he said, “Do you not know why I have come to you? And next I will return, to fight against the leader of the Persians. When I was leaving, there appeared the leader of the Greeks arriving.
Then he said, “(Do you know why I came to you?/I will tell you why I came to you.) [RHQ] It is to reveal to you what is written in the book which reveals/contains God’s truth. But now I must return to fight against [the evil spirit] who rules the kingdom of Persia. After I have defeated him, [the evil angel] who guards Greece will appear [and I must defeat him]. Michael, who guards you [Israeli people], will help me, but there is no one else to help me.”
21 But, in truth, I announce to you what is expressed in the scripture of truth. And no one is my helper in all these things, except Michael your leader.”
