Daniel 10
1 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.
In the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, a secret was unfolded to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, even a hard work: and he had knowledge of it, and the vision was clear to him.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was in mourning for three weeks.
In those days I, Daniel, gave myself up to grief for three full weeks.
3 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.
I had no pleasing food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, and I put no oil on my body till three full weeks were ended.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was beside the great river (that is, the Tigris),
And on the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was by the side of the great river;
5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen, with a belt around his waist made of pure gold from Uphaz.
And lifting up my eyes I saw the form of a man clothed in a linen robe, and round him there was a band of gold, of the best gold:
6 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.
And his body was like the beryl, and his face had the look of a thunder-flame, and his eyes were like burning lights, and his arms and feet like the colour of polished brass, and the sound of his voice was like the sound of an army.
7 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.
And I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see it; but a great shaking came on them and they went in flight to take cover.
8 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.
So I was by myself, and I saw this great vision, and all my strength went from me; and the colour went from my face.
9 Then I heard his words—and as I heard them, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
But the sound of his words came to my ears, and on hearing his voice I went into a deep sleep with my face to the earth.
10 A hand touched me, and it made me tremble in my knees and the palms of my hands.
Then a hand gave me a touch, awaking me, and putting me on my knees and my hands.
11 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.
And he said to me, O Daniel, you man dearly loved, take in the sense of the words I say to you and get up on to your feet: for to you I am now sent; and when he had said this to me I got on to my feet, shaking with fear.
12 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.
Then he said to me, Have no fear, Daniel; for from the first day when you gave your heart to getting wisdom and making yourself poor in spirit before your God, your words have come to his ears: and I have come because of your words.
13 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.
But the angel of the kingdom of Persia put himself against me for twenty-one days; but Michael, one of the chief angels, came to my help; and when I came he was still there with the angel of the kings of Persia.
14 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.”
Now I have come to give you knowledge of the fate of your people in the later days; for there is still a vision for the days.
15 While he was speaking to me using these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was unable to speak.
And after he had said these words to me, I kept my face turned to the earth and was unable to say anything.
16 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.
Then one whose form was like the sons of men put his finger on my lips; and opening my mouth, I said to him who was before me, O my lord, because of the vision my pains have come on me, and I have no more strength.
17 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.”
For how may this servant of my lord have talk with my lord? for, as for me, straight away my strength went from me and there was no breath in my body.
18 Again the one with an appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.
Then again one having the form of a man put his hand on me and gave me strength.
19 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.”
And he said to me, O man greatly loved, have no fear: peace be with you, be strong and let your heart be lifted up. And at his words I became strong, and said, Let my lord say on, for you have given me strength.
20 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.
Then he said, It is clear to you why I have come to you. And now I will give you an account of what is recorded in the true writings:
21 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.”
But I am going back to make war with the angel of Persia, and when I am gone, the angel of Greece will come. And there is no one on my side against these, but Michael, your angel.
