Daniel 10
1 In the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true and concerned a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, mourned for three full weeks.
3 I ate no tasty bread; no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three full weeks were completed.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris.
5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and there was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist.
6 His body was like beryl; his face had the appearance of lightning; his eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and legs were like polished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the roar of a crowd.
7 I, Daniel, alone saw the vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but a great terror fell on them, and they fled to hide.
8 I was left alone and saw this great vision. No strength remained in me; my vigor turned to ruin, and I had no strength left.
9 I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard them, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.
10 Then a hand touched me and set me trembling on my knees and the palms of my hands.
11 He said to me, “Daniel, greatly beloved man, understand the words I am speaking to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was saying this to me, I stood up, trembling.
12 He said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day 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.
13 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, and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14 I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns days yet to come.”
15 While he was speaking these words to me, I turned my face to the ground and was silent.
16 Then someone with the appearance of a human being touched my lips. I opened my mouth, spoke, and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, anguish has come over me, and I have no strength.
17 How can this servant of my lord speak with my lord? I have no strength left now, and no breath remains in me.”
18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again and strengthened me.
19 He said, “Do not be afraid, greatly beloved man. Peace to you! Be strong, be strong!” As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”
20 He said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come.
21 But I will tell you what is recorded in the writing of truth. No one stands with me against these except Michael, your prince.”
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