1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.2In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.3I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.4And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;5Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:6His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.7And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.8Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.9Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.10And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.11And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.15And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.16And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.17For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.18Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,19And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.20Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.21But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
Daniel 10
English Standard Version
Daniel’s Terrifying Vision of a Man
1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict.[1] And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. (Da 1:7; Da 1:17; Da 1:21; Da 6:28; Da 8:26)2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. (Da 10:13)3I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. (Da 10:2; Am 6:6; Mt 6:17)4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) (Ge 2:14; Da 12:5)5I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. (Jos 5:13; Jer 10:9; Eze 9:2; Re 1:13; Re 15:6)6His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. (Eze 1:14; Eze 1:16; Eze 10:9; Mt 28:3; Re 1:14; Re 1:15)7And 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. (Ac 9:7)8So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed,[2] and I retained no strength. (Da 7:28; Da 10:16)9Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. (Da 8:18)10And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. (Eze 2:9)11And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak 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. (Eze 2:1; Da 1:17; Da 9:23; Da 10:19; Heb 1:14)12Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. (Jud 6:23; Da 9:3; Da 9:23; Da 10:19; Ac 10:4; Re 1:17)13The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, (Da 10:2; Da 10:20; Da 10:21; Da 12:1; Jud 1:9; Re 12:7)14and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” (Da 2:28; Da 8:26; Da 10:12; Hab 2:3)15When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. (Ps 39:2; Ps 39:9; Da 8:18; Da 10:9)16And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man 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 I retain no strength. (Isa 6:7; Da 8:15; Da 10:8)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 one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. (Da 10:16)19And he said, “O man greatly loved, 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.” (Da 9:23; Da 10:11; Da 10:12)20Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. (Da 8:21; Da 10:13)21But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince. (Ex 32:32; Da 10:13; Da 12:1; Da 12:4)