1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a word was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it concerned a great conflict; and he understood the word, and understanding of it came to him in the vision.
2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
3I ate no choice bread, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself at all, until the completion of three full weeks.
4And on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was beside the great river, that is, the Tigris.
5I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, and his loins girded with gold of Uphaz.
6His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and his legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
7And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, but the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.
8So I was left alone, and I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; my vigor was turned in me to ruin, and I retained no strength.
9Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
10And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my knees and the palms of my hands.
11And he said to me, “Daniel, man of delights, understand the words that I am speaking to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
12Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words.
13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing opposed to me twenty-one days, and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I was left there beside the kings of Persia.
14And I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is yet for those days.
15And when he had spoken to me these words, I turned my face to the ground and was struck dumb.
16And behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, and I said to the one standing before me, “My lord, by the vision my anguish has come upon me, and I retain no strength.
17And how can this servant of my lord speak with this my lord? As for me, from now on no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
18Then again the one in the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.
19And he said, “Do not fear, man of delights. Peace to you; be strong, yes, be strong.” And as he spoke with me I was strengthened, and I said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
20Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
21But I will declare to you what is inscribed in the writing of truth; and there is no one who holds strongly with me in these matters except Michael, your prince.
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