1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was also called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the time appointed was long. He understood the message, and he understood the vision.
2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.
3I ate no pleasant food. No meat or wine came into my mouth, and I did not anoint myself at all, until the three whole weeks were finished.
4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was by the side of the great river, which is the Hiddekel.
5Then I lifted up my eyes and looked. There was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.
6His body was like beryl, and his face looked like lightning. His eyes were like lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet were the colour of polished brass. The sound of his words was like the noise of a great crowd.
7I, Daniel, alone saw the vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but a great trembling fell on them, so that they ran away to hide themselves.
8So I was left alone, and I saw this great vision. No strength was left in me. My healthy look turned to a deathly one, and I kept no strength.
9Yet I heard the sound of his words. When I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground.
10Then a hand touched me. It set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11He said to me, "Daniel, you are a man greatly loved. Understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." When he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
12Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. 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 because of your words."
13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood against me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I stayed there with 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 for days still to come."
15When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground, and I could not speak.
16Then one who looked like a human being touched my lips. I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to him who stood in front of me, "My lord, because of the vision my pains have come upon me, and I have kept no strength."
17"How can the servant of my lord talk with my lord? As for me, no strength is left in me at all, and there is no breath left in me."
18Then one who looked like a man came and touched me again, and he gave me strength.
19He said, "Man greatly loved, do not be afraid. Peace be to you. Be strong, yes, be strong." When he had spoken to me, I was made strong, and I said, "Let my lord speak, for you have given me strength."
20Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I have gone out, look, the prince of Grecia will come."
21"But I will show you what is written down in the scripture of truth. There is no one who holds with me against these, except Michael your prince."