Daniel, 10

1. In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

1. In the third year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, God gave a message to Daniel, renamed Belteshazzar. This message spoke of fidelity and great anguish. Daniel paid attention to these words and to the following vision:

2. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

2. At that time, I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks.

3. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

3. I ate no rich food, took no meat or wine, and did not perfume myself for three weeks.

4. And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which [is] Hiddekel;

4. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I stood on the bank of the river Tigris,

5. Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

5. I raised my eyes and saw this: a man clothed in linen with a belt of pure gold round his waist.

6. His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

6. His body was like chrysolite, his face had the brilliance of lightning, his eyes were like blazing torches, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a crowd.

7. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

7. I, Daniel, alone saw this vision; the men who were with me did not see it, but they were seized with great fear and they fled to hide.

8. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

8. So I was left alone gazing on this vision. I was powerless. The appearance of my face changed fearfully, and I retained absolutely no strength.

9. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

9. I heard the sound of his words, and when I heard it, I fainted face down to the ground.

10. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and [upon] the palms of my hands.

10. Then a hand touched me, and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

11. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

11. He said to me, "Daniel, man loved by God, pay attention to the words I shall say to you and stand up, for I have been sent to you now." When I heard these words I stood up trembling.

12. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

12. Then he said to me, "Daniel, do not be afraid, for from that first day when you resolved to acquire understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your supplications were heard, and it is precisely because of this that I have come.

13. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

13. The prince of the Persian kingdom has resisted me for twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the leading angels, has come to my assistance. I left him there with the kings of Persia,

14. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision [is] for [many] days.

14. and I have come to tell you what will happen to your people in the days to come. For this new vision, too, refers to those days."

15. And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

15. When he had said these words to me, I bowed my head and kept silent, but someone like a man touched my lips.

16. And, behold, [one] like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

16. Then I opened my mouth to speak and said to him who was before me, "My lord, anguish overcomes me at this vision, and I have no strength.

17. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

17. How can I speak to my lord when my strength fails me and I cannot breathe?"

18. Then there came again and touched me [one] like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

18. The one who looked like a man touched me again, and he strengthened me.

19. And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace [be] unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

19. He said to me, "Man chosen by God, do not fear. Peace be with you. Have courage and be strong."

20. Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

20. And as he spoke, I felt strengthened, and I said, "Speak, my lord, now that I feel strong." Then he said to me, "Do you know why I have come to you?

21. But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and [there is] none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

21. I shall reveal to you what is written in the Book of Truth. After that I have to return to fight against the angel of Persia; then, the angel of Greece will come. No one lends me support in all this except Michael, your angel.