Daniel 10
1 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.
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, and it concerned a great conflict. And the understanding of the message was given to him in a vision.
2 In those days, I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine into my mouth, till three whole weeks were ended.
I ate no rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three weeks were completed.
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river Hiddekel,
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,
5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man, clothed in linen garments, and his loins girded with gold of Uphaz.
I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.
6 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.
His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.
7 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.
Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves.
8 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.
So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless.
9 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.
I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.
10 And behold, a hand touched me, and lifted me upon my knees and the palms of my hands.
Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
11 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.
He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling.
12 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.
“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
13 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.
However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I am come to teach thee what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for the vision yet relates to distant days.
Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.”
15 And when he had spoken these words to me, I set my face toward the ground, and was dumb.
While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless.
16 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.
And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength.
17 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.
How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.”
18 Then one having the appearance of a man again touched me and strengthened me,
Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.
19 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.
“Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!” As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”
20 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.
“Do you know why I have come to you?” he said. “I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
21 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.
But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.
