1 b In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, c who was named Belteshazzar. And d the word was true, and it was a great conflict. 1 And e he understood the word and e had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for f three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I g anoint myself at all, for f the full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing h on the bank of the great river ( i that is, the Tigris) 5 j I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, k a man clothed in linen, l with a belt of fine m gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like n beryl, his face o like the appearance of lightning, p his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and q legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and q the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 r And 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. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and s no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, 2 t and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, u and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep u with my face to the ground.
10 And behold, v a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, w man greatly loved, x understand the words that I speak to you, and y stand upright, for z now I have been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, a "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you b set your heart to understand and b humbled yourself before your God, c your words have been heard, d and I have come because of your words. 13 e The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me f twenty-one days, but g Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 d and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people h in the latter days. For i the vision is for days yet to come."
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, j I turned my face toward the ground k and was mute. 16 And behold, l one in the likeness of the children of man m 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 n I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me."
18 Again l one having the appearance of a man m touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, o "O man greatly loved, p 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." 20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the q prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of r Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you s what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except t Michael, your prince.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.