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 Koresh king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the word was true: a great war. And he understood the word, and had understanding of the vision.
2 When this happened, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three full weeks.
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole 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.
I had no pleasing food, neither meat nor wine came into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was standing on the bank of the great River Tigris.
In the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is the Tigris,
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 look, a man clothed in linen, around his waist a belt made of pure gold from 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.
His body was like beryl, and his face like the appearance of lightning, and his eyes like flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound 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.
I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great trembling fell on them, and 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.
So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my natural appearance grew deathly pale, 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.
Yet I heard the sound of his words, and when I heard the sound of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.
10 Then a hand touched me and lifted me onto my hands and knees.
Look, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on 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.
He said to me, "Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright; for I have now been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood 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.
Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. And I have come because of your 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 withstood me twenty-one days; but, look, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was left 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 I have come to make you understand what shall happen to your people in the latter days; for the vision refers to future 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 had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground, and could not speak.
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 look, something like a man's hand touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who stood before me, "My lord, it is because of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have no strength.
17 How can I, your servant, speak to you, my lord? I have no strength, and I can hardly breathe.”
For how can this servant of my lord talk with my lord? As for me, no strength remains, and I am breathless."
18 Once again the one who looked like a human being touched me and restored my strength.
Then one like the appearance of a man touched me again and 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, "Greatly loved man, do not be afraid, peace be to you; be strong, be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have 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 he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I go forth, look, the prince of Greece shall come.
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.
But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the Book of Truth. And there is no one who contends with me against them except Michael, your prince."
