1In the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, also called Belteshazzar. The message was true and concerned a great war. Daniel understood the message and the vision.
2In those days, I, Daniel, mourned for three full weeks.
3I ate no rich food, no meat or wine passed my lips, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three full weeks were over.
4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing by the great river, the Tigris,
5I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen, with a belt of pure gold from Uphaz around his waist.
6His body was like dazzling bronze, his face looked like lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet looked like polished bronze, and the sound of his voice was like the roar of a crowd.
7Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it. However, a great trembling fell on them, and they ran away to hide.
8So I was left alone and saw this great vision. No strength was left in me; my healthy appearance changed to a deathly pale, and I had no strength remaining.
9Yet I heard the sound of his words. When I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
10Then a hand touched me and set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11He said to me, "Daniel, you are greatly loved. Understand the words I speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." When he had said this to me, I stood up, trembling.
12Then he said to me, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. From the first day you decided to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words."
13But 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.
14Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, because the vision is for many days yet to come.
15When he had finished speaking these words to me, I looked down at the ground and couldn't speak.
16Then someone who looked like a human touched my lips. I opened my mouth and spoke to the one standing before me, "My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish and have no strength left."
17How can I, your servant, my lord, speak with you? I instantly lost all my strength and couldn't breathe.
18Then the one who looked like a man touched me again and strengthened me.
19He said, "Greatly loved man, don't be afraid! Peace be with you; be strong—yes, be strong!" When he spoke to me, I felt stronger and said, "My lord, please speak, for you have strengthened me."
20Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will go back to fight with the prince of Persia. When I leave, the prince of Greece will come.
21But I will tell you what is written in the book of truth. No one supports me against these except Michael, your prince."