Daniel Is Terrified by a Vision
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a 10:1 Lit wordmessage was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the 10:1 Lit wordmessage was true and it concerned great 10:1 Or warfareconflict, but he understood the 10:1 Lit wordmessage and had an understanding of the vision.
2 In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three 10:2 Lit weeks of daysentire weeks. 3 I did not eat any 10:3 Lit delicatetasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the 10:4 Heb HiddekelTigris, 5 I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man dressed in linen, whose waist had a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. 6 His body also was like topaz, his face 10:6 Lit likehad the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great fear fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my complexion turned to 10:8 Lit destructiona deathly pallor, and I retained no strength. 9 But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
Daniel Comforted
10 Then behold, a hand touched me and shook me on my 10:10 Lit knees and the palms of my handshands and knees. 11 And he said to me, "Daniel, 10:11 Lit man of treasureyou who are treasured, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand at your place, for I have now been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing 10:13 Lit opposite mein my way for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the 10:14 Lit end of the dayslatter days, because the vision pertains to the days still future."
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I 10:15 Lit gaveturned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And behold, 10:16 Lit as a likeness of sons of mankindone who resembled a human was touching my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, "My lord, due to the vision 10:16 Lit my pains haveanguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me."
18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. 19 And he said, "10:19 Lit man of treasureYou who are treasured, do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take courage and be courageous!" Now as soon as he spoke to me, I felt strengthened and said, "May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me." 20 Then he said, "Do you 10:20 Lit knowunderstand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am leaving, and behold, the prince of 10:20 Heb JavanGreece is about to come. 21 However, I will tell you what is recorded in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who 10:21 Lit shows himself courageousstands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince.