Danihelis Prophetæ 10
1 Anno tertio Cyri regis Persarum verbum revelatum est Danieli cognomento Baltassar et verbum verum et fortitudo magna intellexitque sermonem intelligentia enim est opus in visione
During the third year that Cyrus was the king of Persia, I Daniel, [who had been given the] name Belteshazzar, received [another] message [from God]. The message was true, but it was very difficult for me to understand it. But [later] I understood the message because of the vision that I had seen.
2 In diebus illis ego Daniel lugebam trium hebdomadarum diebus
At that time I had been sad for three weeks [about what had happened to Jerusalem].
3 panem desiderabilem non comedi et caro et vinum non introierunt in os meum sed neque unguento unctus sum donec complerentur trium hebdomadarum dies
I did not eat any tasty food or any meat or drink any wine. I did not even put any perfumed oil on my [face or hair] for those three weeks.
4 Die autem vigesima et quarta mensis primi eram iuxta fluvium magnum qui est Tigris
[When those three weeks ended, ] on April 23, [my companions and] I were standing on the bank of the great Tigris River.
5 Et levavi oculos meos et vidi et ecce vir unus vestitus lineis et renes eius accincti auro obrizo
I looked up and saw someone there who was wearing fine white/linen clothes and a belt [made of] pure gold.
6 et corpus eius quasi chrysolithus et facies eius velut species fulguris et oculi eius ut lampas ardens et brachia eius et quae deorsum sunt usque ad pedes quasi species aeris candentis et vox sermonum eius ut vox multitudinis
His body [shone] like a precious beryl stone. His face was as [bright as] a flash of lightning. His eyes [were/shone] like flaming torches. His arms and legs [shone] like polished bronze. And his voice was [very loud], like the roar of a huge crowd.
7 Vidi autem ego Daniel solus visionem porro viri qui erant mecum non viderunt sed terror nimus irruit super eos et fugerunt in absconditum
I, Daniel, was the only one who saw this vision. The men who were with me did not see anything, but [they sensed that someone was there, and they] became terrified. They ran away and hid themselves.
8 Ego autem relictus solus vidi visionem grandem hanc et non remansit in me fortitudo sed et species mea immutata est in me et emarcui nec habui quidquam virium
So I was left there by myself, looking at this very unusual vision. I had no strength left. My face became very pale, with the result that no one would have recognized me.
9 Et audivi vocem sermonum eius et audiens iacebam consternatus super faciem meam et vultus meus haerebat terrae
I saw a man there, and when I heard him speak, I fell to the ground. I (fainted/became unconscious), [and I lay there] with my face on the ground.
10 Et ecce manus tetigit me et erexit me super genua mea et super articulos manuum mearum
Suddenly someone’s hand took hold of me and lifted me, with the result that I was on my hands and knees, [but I was still] trembling.
11 Et dixit ad me Daniel vir desideriorum intellige verba quae ego loquor ad te et sta in gradu tuo nunc enim sum missus ad te Cumque dixisset mihi sermonem istum steti tremens
The man said to me, “Daniel, [God] loves you very much. Stand up and listen to what I am going to say to you, because [God] sent me to you.” When he said that, I stood up, [but I was still] trembling.
12 Et ait ad me Noli metuere Daniel quia ex die primo quo posuisti cor tuum ad intelligendum ut te affligeres in conspectu Dei tui exaudita sunt verba tua et ego veni propter sermones tuos
Then he said to me, “Daniel, do not be afraid. God has heard what you have prayed ever since the first day that you determined to humble yourself in order to understand [the vision]. I have come to you because of what you prayed.
13 Princeps autem regni Persarum restitit mihi viginti et uno diebus et ecce Michael unus de principibus primis venit in adiutorium meum et ego remansi ibi iuxta regem Persarum
The [evil spirit who] rules the kingdom of Persia resisted/hindered me for 21 days, but Michael, who is one of God’s chief angels, came to help me. I left him there in Persia [to resist] that evil spirit who rules there.
14 Veni autem ut docerem te quae ventura sunt populo tuo in novissimis diebus quoniam adhuc visio in dies
I have come here to enable you to understand what will happen to the Israeli people in the future. [Do not forget that] the vision [that you saw] is about [things that will happen in] the distant future, [not about things that will happen very soon].”
15 Cumque loqueretur mihi huiuscemodi verbis deieci vultum meum ad terram et tacui
While he was saying that, I stared at the ground and was unable to say anything [because I was very afraid].
16 Et ecce quasi similitudo filii hominis tetigit labia mea et aperiens os meum locutus sum et dixi ad eum qui stabat contra me Domine mi in visione tua dissolutae sunt compages meae et nihil in me remansit virium
Suddenly [the angel], who resembled a human, touched my lips. Then [I was able to speak, and] I said to him, “Sir, because [I have seen] this vision, I have become very weak, with the result that I cannot stop trembling.
17 Et quomodo poterit servus Domini mei loqui cum Domino meo nihil enim in me remansit virium sed et halitus meus intercluditur
I am not able [RHQ] to talk to you, my master. I have no strength left, and it is very difficult for me to breathe.”
18 Rursum ergo tetigit me quasi visio hominis et confortavit me
But he took hold of me again, and enabled me to become stronger again.
19 et dixit Noli timere vir desideriorum pax tibi confortare et esto robustus Cumque loqueretur mecum convalui et dixi Loquere Domine mi quia confortasti me
He said to me, “You human, God loves you very much. [So] do not be afraid. I desire/want things to go well for you and that you will be encouraged.” When he had said that, I felt even stronger, and I said, “Sir, tell me [what you want to tell me]. You have enabled me to feel stronger.”
20 Et ait Numquid scis quare venerim ad te et nunc revertar ut praelier adversum principem Persarum cum ego egrederer apparuit princeps Graecorum veniens
Then he said, “(Do you know why I came to you?/I will tell you why I came to you.) [RHQ] It is to reveal to you what is written in the book which reveals/contains God’s truth. But now I must return to fight against [the evil spirit] who rules the kingdom of Persia. After I have defeated him, [the evil angel] who guards Greece will appear [and I must defeat him]. Michael, who guards you [Israeli people], will help me, but there is no one else to help me.”
21 Verumtamen annunciabo tibi quod expressum est in scriptura veritatis et nemo est adiutor meus in omnibus his nisi Michael princeps vester
