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, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was also called Belteshazzar. This message was true. It was about a great war. Daniel understood the message when he had insight from the vision.
2 When this happened, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three full weeks.
In those days I, Daniel, was in mourning for three 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 delicacies, I ate no meat, I drank no wine, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the completion of three entire weeks.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was standing on the bank of the great River Tigris.
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was beside the great river (that 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 looked up and saw a man dressed in linen, with a belt around his waist 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 topaz, and his face was like lightning. His eyes were like flaming torches, and his arms and his feet were like polished bronze. The sound of his words was like the sound of a great crowd.
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. However, a great terror came on them, and they ran away 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. No strength remained in me; my bright appearance was turned into a ruined look, and no strength remained in me.
9 I heard him speaking, and when I heard his voice I lost consciousness and I lay face down on the ground.
Then I heard his words—and as I heard them, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
10 Then a hand touched me and lifted me onto my hands and knees.
A hand touched me, and it made me tremble in 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.
The angel said to me, “Daniel, man greatly treasured, understand the words that I am speaking to you. Stand upright, for I have been sent to you.” When he had spoken this message 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 he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you set your mind 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.
The prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me, and I was kept there with the kings of Persia for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me.
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 help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”
15 As he told me this I remained there with my face to the ground and couldn't say a word.
While he was speaking to me using these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was unable to 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.
One who was like the sons of man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and spoke to him who stood before me: “My master, I am in agony because of the vision; 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.”
I am your servant. How can I talk with my master? For I now have no strength, and there is no breath left in me.”
18 Once again the one who looked like a human being touched me and restored my strength.
Again the one with an appearance of a man 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.”
He said, “Do not be afraid, man greatly treasured. May peace be to you! Be strong now, be strong!” While he was speaking to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Let my master 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.
He said, “Do you know why I have come to you? I will soon return to fight against the prince of Persia. When I go, 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 tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. There is no one who shows himself to be strong with me against them, except Michael your prince.”
