DANIEL 10 [†] b In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel,  c who was named Belteshazzar. And  d the word was true, and it was a great conflict. [1] And  e he understood the word and  e had understanding of the vision.

2[†]In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for  f three weeks. 3I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I  g anoint myself at all, for  f the full three weeks. 4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing  h on the bank of the great river ( i that is, the Tigris) 5[†] j I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold,  k a man clothed in linen,  l with a belt of fine  m gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6[^]His body was like  n beryl, his face  o like the appearance of lightning,  p his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and  q legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and  q the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 r And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and  s no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, [2]  t and I retained no strength. 9Then I heard the sound of his words,  u and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep  u with my face to the ground.

10And behold,  v a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11And he said to me, “O Daniel,  w man greatly loved,  x understand the words that I speak to you, and  y stand upright, for  z now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12[^][†]Then he said to me,  a “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you  b set your heart to understand and  b humbled yourself before your God,  c your words have been heard,  d and I have come because of your words. 13[^][†] e The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me  f twenty-one days, but  g Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 d and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people  h in the latter days. For  i the vision is for days yet to come.”

15[†]When he had spoken to me according to these words,  j I turned my face toward the ground  k and was mute. 16And behold,  l one in the likeness of the children of man  m touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and  n I retain no strength. 17How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”

18Again  l one having the appearance of a man  m touched me and strengthened me. 19And he said,  o “O man greatly loved,  p fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20[†]Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the  q prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of  r Greece will come. 21[†]But I will tell you  s what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except  t Michael, your prince.