Daniel
10 In the third year of Cyrus*+ the king of Persia there was a matter revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Bel·te·shazʹzar;+ and the matter was true,* and there was a great military service.+ And he understood the matter, and he had understanding in the thing seen.+
2 In those days I myself, Daniel, happened to be mourning+ for three full weeks.* 3 Dainty bread I did not eat, and no flesh or wine entered into my mouth, and in no way did I grease myself until the completing of the three full weeks.+ 4 And on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I myself happened to be on the bank of the great river, that is, Hidʹde·kel,*+ 5 I also proceeded to raise my eyes and see, and here was a certain man* clothed in linen,+ with his hips+ girded with gold* of Uʹphaz.*+ 6 And his body was like chrysʹo·lite,+ and his face like the appearance of lightning,+ and his eyes like fiery torches,+ and his arms and the place of his feet were like the sight of burnished copper,+ and the sound of his words was like the sound of a crowd. 7 And I saw, I Daniel by myself, the appearance; but as for the men* that happened to be with me, they did not see the appearance.+ However, there was a great trembling that fell upon them, so that they went running away in hiding themselves.
8 And I—I was left remaining by myself, so that I saw this great appearance. And there was left remaining in me no power, and my own dignity became changed upon me to ruination, and I retained no power.+ 9 And I began hearing the sound of his words; and while I was hearing the sound of his words, I myself also happened to be fast asleep+ upon my face, with my face to the earth.+ 10 And, look! there was a hand that touched me,+ and it gradually stirred me up to [get] upon my knees and the palms of my hands. 11 And he proceeded to say to me:
“O Daniel, you very desirable man,*+ have understanding in the words that I am speaking to you,+ and stand up where you were standing, for now I have been sent to you.”
And when he spoke with me this word, I did stand up, shivering.
12 And he went on to say to me: “Do not be afraid,+ O Daniel, for from the first day that you gave your heart to understanding+ and humbling yourself before your God*+ your words have been heard, and I myself have come because of your words.+ 13 But the prince*+ of the royal realm of Persia+ was standing in opposition+ to me for twenty-one days, and, look! Miʹcha·el,*+ one of the foremost* princes,+ came to help me; and I, for my part, remained* there beside the kings of Persia.+ 14 And I have come to cause you to discern what will befall your people+ in the final part of the days,+ because it is a vision+ yet for the days [to come].”+
15 Now when he spoke with me words like these, I had set my face to the earth+ and had become speechless. 16 And, look! one similar to the likeness of the sons of mankind* was touching my lips,+ and I began to open my mouth and speak+ and say to the one who was standing in front of me: “O my lord,*+ because of the appearance my convulsions were turned within me, and I did not retain any power.+ 17 So how was the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord?+ And as for me, up to now there kept standing in me no power, and no breath at all was left remaining in me.”+
18 And the one like the appearance of an earthling man* proceeded to touch me again and strengthen me.+ 19 Then he said: “Do not be afraid,+ O very desirable man.*+ May you have peace.+ Be strong, yes, be strong.”+ And as soon as he spoke with me I exerted my strength and finally said: “Let my lord speak,+ because you have strengthened me.”+ 20 So he went on to say:
“Do you really know why I have come to you? And now I shall go back to fight with the prince* of Persia.+ When I am going forth, look! also the prince of Greece* is coming.+ 21 However, I shall tell you the things noted down in the writing of truth,+ and there is no one holding strongly with me in these [things] but Miʹcha·el,*+ the prince of YOU people.+