Daniel 10
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the message was true, even a great warfare. He understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.
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.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks.
When this happened, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant food. No meat or wine came into my mouth. I didn’t anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled.
I ate no fine food. No meat or wine passed my lips. I used no perfumed oils until those three weeks were over.
4 In the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel,
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was standing on the bank of the great River Tigris.
5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man clothed in linen, whose waist was adorned with pure gold of Uphaz.
I looked around and saw a man dressed in linen, and around his waist was a belt of pure gold.
6 His body also was like beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches. His arms and his feet were like burnished bronze. The voice of his words was like the voice of a multitude.
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.
7 I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me didn’t see the vision, but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves.
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.
8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision. No strength remained in me; for my face grew deathly pale, and I retained no strength.
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.
9 Yet I heard the voice of his words. When I heard the voice of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.
I heard him speaking, and when I heard his voice I lost consciousness and I lay face down on the ground.
10 Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
Then a hand touched me and lifted me onto my hands and knees.
11 He said to me, “Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have been sent to you, now.” When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.
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.
12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come for your words’ sake.
“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.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me because I remained there with the kings of Persia.
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.
14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is yet for many days.”
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.”
15 When he had spoken these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and was mute.
As he told me this I remained there with my face to the ground and couldn't say a word.
16 Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength.
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.
17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me. There was no breath left in me.”
How can I, your servant, speak to you, my lord? I have no strength, and I can hardly breathe.”
18 Then one like the appearance of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me.
Once again the one who looked like a human being touched me and restored my strength.
19 He said, “Greatly beloved man, don’t be afraid. Peace be to you. Be strong. Yes, be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
“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.”
20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
“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.
21 But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one who holds with me against these but Michael your prince.
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.
