1 In the third year of ADan 1:21; 6:28Cyrus king of Persia a 1Lit wordmessage was revealed to BDan 1:7Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the 1Lit wordCDan 8:26message was true and one of great 2Or warfareconflict, but he understood the 1Lit wordmessage and had an DDan 1:17; 2:21understanding of the vision.

2 In those days, I, Daniel, had been AEzra 9:4, 5; Neh 1:4mourning for three entire weeks. 3 I ADan 6:18did not eat any 1Lit bread of desirabilitytasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great AEzek 1:3; Dan 8:2river, that is, the 1Heb HiddekelTigris, 5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man AEzek 9:2; Dan 12:6, 7dressed in linen, whose waist was BRev 1:13; 15:6girded with a belt of pure CJer 10:9gold of Uphaz. 6 His body also was like 1Or yellow serpentineberyl, his face 2Lit likehad the appearance of lightning, ARev 1:14; 2:18; 19:12his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a 3Or roaringtumult. 7 Now I, Daniel, A2 Kin 6:17-20alone saw the vision, while the BActs 9:7men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great CEzek 12:18dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was AGen 32:24left alone and saw this great vision; yet BDan 7:28; 8:27; Hab 3:16no strength was left in me, for my 1Lit splendornatural color turned to 2Lit corruptiona deathly pallor, and I retained no strength. 9 But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I AGen 15:12; Job 4:13; Dan 8:18fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

10 Then behold, a hand AJer 1:9; Dan 8:18touched me and set me trembling on my 1Lit knees and the palms of my handshands and knees. 11 He said to me, “O ADan 10:19Daniel, man of 1Lit desirability; or preciousnesshigh esteem, BDan 8:16, 17understand the words that I am about to tell you and CEzek 2:1stand 2Lit upon your standingupright, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up DJob 4:14, 15trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “AIs 41:10, 14; Dan 10:19Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on BDan 9:20-23; 10:2, 3humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response CActs 10:30, 31to your words. 13  “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was 1Lit standing oppositewithstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, ADan 10:21; 12:1; Jude 9; Rev 12:7Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14  “Now I have come to ADan 8:16; 9:22give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the 1Lit end of the daysBDeut 31:29; Dan 2:28latter days, for the vision pertains to CDan 8:26; 12:4, 9the days yet future.”

15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I 1Lit setturned my face toward the ground and became AEzek 3:26; 24:27; Luke 1:20speechless. 16 And behold, 1Lit as a likeness of sons of manADan 8:15one who resembled a human being was BIs 6:7; Jer 1:9touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, as a result of the vision 2Lit my pains haveCDan 7:15, 28; 8:17, 27; 10:8, 9anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17  “For AEx 24:10, 11; Is 6:1-5how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now BDan 10:8no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me.”

18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and AIs 35:3, 4strengthened me. 19 He said, “O man of 1Lit desirability; or preciousnesshigh esteem, AJudg 6:23; Is 43:1; Dan 10:12do not be afraid. Peace 2Lit to yoube with you; take BJosh 1:6, 7, 9; Is 35:4courage and be courageous!” Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, “May my lord speak, for you have CPs 138:3; 2 Cor 12:9strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you 1Lit knowunderstand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the 2I.e. Satanic angelprince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the 2I.e. Satanic angelADan 8:21; 11:2prince of 3Heb JavanGreece is about to come. 21  “However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of ADan 12:4truth. Yet there is no one who 1Lit shows himself strongstands firmly with me against these forces except BDan 10:13; Rev 12:7Michael your prince.