Daniel 10
1 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.
In the third year of Cyrus the king of Persia a word was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the word is the truth, but the time appointed is long off: and he noted the word, and took notice of it in the appearance.
2 When this happened, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three full weeks.
In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no fine food. No meat or wine passed my lips. I used no perfumed oils until those three weeks were over.
Costly food did I not eat, and flesh and wine came not in my mouth, nor did I at all anoint myself, till three whole weeks were elapsed.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was standing on the bank of the great River Tigris.
And on the four and twentieth day of the first month, while I was by the side of the great river, which is Chiddekel,
5 I looked around and saw a man dressed in linen, and around his waist was a belt of pure gold.
I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold there was a certain man clothed in linen, and his loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz;
6 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.
And his body was also like the chrysolite, and his face, like the appearance of lightning, and his eyes were like torches of fire, and his arms and his feet, like the color of polished copper, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a multitude.
7 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.
And I Daniel saw alone this appearance; but the men that were with me did not see the appearance: nevertheless a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 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.
And I was left by myself alone, and I saw this great appearance, and there remained no strength in me; and my healthy color was changed on me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9 I heard him speaking, and when I heard his voice I lost consciousness and I lay face down on the ground.
Then heard I the sound of his words; and as I heard the sound of his words, I sank in amazement on my face, with my face toward the ground.
10 Then a hand touched me and lifted me onto my hands and knees.
And, behold, a hand touched me, and it moved me upon my knees and the palms of my hands.
11 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.
And he said unto me, O Daniel, the man greatly beloved, mark well the words that I speak unto thee, and stand on thy standing-place; for now have I been sent unto thee. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood up trembling.
12 “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.
And he said unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to obtain understanding, and to fast before thy God, were thy words heard: and I am come in consequence of thy words.
13 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.
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood up against me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I obtained the victory there with the kings of Persia.
14 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.”
Now am I come to make thee understand what is to befall thy people, in the latter days; for the vision is yet for the [coming] days.
15 As he told me this I remained there with my face to the ground and couldn't say a word.
And when he spoke unto me such words, I directed my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
16 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.
And, behold, something like the form of the sons of men touched my lips; and I opened my mouth, and I spoke, and said unto him that stood opposite to me, O my lord, because of the appearance my pains suddenly overcame me, and I have retained no strength.
17 How can I, your servant, speak to you, my lord? I have no strength, and I can hardly breathe.”
And how shall the servant of this my lord be able to speak with this my lord? And as for me, from that moment there remained no strength in me, and no breath was left in me.
18 Once again the one who looked like a human being touched me and restored my strength.
Then there touched me again something like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me;
19 “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.”
And he said, Fear not, O man greatly beloved: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he spoke with me, I felt myself strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
20 “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.
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I am come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia; and as I am going forth, lo, the prince of Javan is coming.
21 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.
Nevertheless will I tell thee what is noted down in the writing of truth: —and there is none that holdeth with me [to assist me] against those, except Michael your prince.
