Daniel 10

Vision of a man

1 In the third year of Persia’s King Cyrus, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true: there would be a great conflict. Daniel understood the message, having discerned the meaning of the vision.
2 During that time, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three weeks.3 I didn’t eat any rich foods. Neither meat nor wine passed my lips, and I didn’t clean up at all until the three weeks were up.4 Then, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was on the bank of the great Tigris River,5 I looked up and suddenly saw a man clothed in linen in front of me. He had a brilliant gold belt around his waist,6 and his body was like topaz. His face was like a flash of lightning, and his eyes were like burning torches. His arms and feet looked like polished bronze. When he spoke, it sounded like the roar of a crowd.

7 Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The other people who were with me didn’t see it. Despite that, they were terrified and ran away to hide.
8 So I was left alone to see this great vision all by myself. All my strength left me. My energy was sapped, and I couldn’t stay strong.9 Then I heard the sound of the man’s words. When I heard it, I fell into a trance with my face on the ground.

10 But then a hand touched me, lifting me up to my hands and knees.

11 The man said to me, "Daniel, you are greatly treasured. Now grasp the meaning of what I’m saying to you. And stand up, because I’ve been sent to you."
As he said this to me, I stood up, shaking.
12 Then the man said to me, "Don’t be afraid, Daniel, because from the day you first set your mind to understand things and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I’ve come because of your words!13 For twenty-one days the leader of the Persian kingdom blocked my way. But then Michael, one of the highest leaders, came to help me. I left Michael there with the leader of the Persian kingdom.t

14 But I’ve come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the future, because there is another vision concerning that time."
15 While he said this to me, I turned my face to the ground and kept quiet.16 But then someone who looked like a human beingt touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to the person standing in front of me: "My lord, the vision bothered me deeply, and I couldn’t stay strong during it.

17 So how can I, my lord’s servant, speak with you, my lord? Even now there’s no strength in me, and I can barely breathe."
18 The one who looked like a human being touched me again and gave me strength.

19 He said, "Don’t be afraid. You are greatly treasured. All will be well with you. Be strong!"
As he spoke to me, I suddenly felt strong. Then I said: "My lord can go on, because you’ve made me strong."
20 Then he said: “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I must go back to fight the leader of Persia. As I leave, the leader of Greece will come!

21 But I will tell you what is written in the Scroll of Truth. No one stands strong with me against these leaders except your leader Michael.

Daniel 10

An Angel Appears to Daniel

1 s In the thirdss year of King Cyrus of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel (who was also called Belteshazzar). This message was true and concerned a great war.t He understood the message and gained insight by the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.t

3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine came to my lips,t nor did I anoint myself with oils until the end of those three weeks.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first months I was beside the great river, the Tigris.t5 I looked upt and saw at mans clothed in linen;t around his waist was a belt made of gold from Upaz.t

6 His body resembled yellow jasper,t and his face had an appearance like lightning. His eyes were like blazing torches;t his arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze. His voicet thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd.
7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it.t On the contrary, they were overcome with frightt and ran away to hide.8 I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained fromt me, and my vigor disappeared;t I was without energy.t9 I listened to his voice,s and as I did sot I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground.10 Thent a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees.st11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are of great value.t Understand the words that I am about tot speak to you. So stand up,t for I have now been sent to you.” When he said thist to me, I stood up shaking.12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mindt to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words.13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. Butt Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left theres with the kings of Persia.

14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days.”
15 While he was saying this to me,t I was flat ont the ground and unable to speak.16 Thent one who appeared to be a human beings was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, “Sir,t due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength.17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you?t My strength is gone,t and I am breathless.”18 Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me againt and strengthened me.19 He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are valued.t Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now,t for you have given me strength.”20 He said, “Do you know why I have come to you?s Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming.21 However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book.t (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes,t except Michael yourt prince.