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, king of Persia, was a revelation made to Daniel, who was also called Belteshazzar; and the revelation is true, and relateth to long warfare. And he gave heed to the revelation, 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 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.
I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine into my mouth, till three whole weeks were ended.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was standing on the bank of the great River Tigris.
And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river Hiddekel,
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, a certain man, clothed in linen garments, and his loins girded with 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.
His body was like chrysolite, and his face had the appearance of lightning, and his eyes were as torches of fire, and his arms and his feet like the appearance of polished brass, and the sound of his words was as the shout 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 alone saw the vision and the men who were with me saw not the vision; but a great terror fell upon 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.
Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision; and there remained no strength in me, and my color was changed upon me into a deadly paleness, 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.
And I heard the sound of his words; and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell senseless upon my face, and 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 lifted 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 to me, Daniel, much-beloved man, give heed to the words which I speak to thee, and stand upright! for to thee am I now sent. And when he said this to 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.
Then said he to me, Fear not, Daniel! for from the first day that thou didst set thy mind to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come on account 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 was left there victorious 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 am come to teach thee what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for the vision yet relates to distant 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 these words to me, I set my face toward the ground, and was 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, one having the appearance of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spake, and said to him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my pain came upon me, and I have no strength left.
17 How can I, your servant, speak to you, my lord? I have no strength, and I can hardly breathe.”
And how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? And now there remaineth no strength in me, neither is breath left in me.
18 Once again the one who looked like a human being touched me and restored my strength.
Then one having the appearance of a man again touched me 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 said, Fear not, much-beloved man! peace be to thee! be strong, yea, be strong! And while he was speaking with me, I was 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 he said, Knowest thou wherefore I have come to thee? And now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia, and I will go forth, and behold, the prince of Greece will 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 show thee what is written in the book of truth. No one putteth forth his strength with me against them but Michael, your prince.
