1 I n the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. And the word was true and it referred to great tribulation (conflict and wretchedness). And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.

2 I n those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.

In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks.

3 I ate no pleasant or desirable food, nor did any meat or wine come into my mouth; and I did not anoint myself at all for the full three weeks.

I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.

4 O n the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was on the bank of the great river Hiddekel,

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris,

5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz.

I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz.

6 H is body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and his feet like glowing burnished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a multitude.

His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult.

7 A nd 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 so that they fled to hide themselves.

Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves.

8 S o I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me, for my fresh appearance was turned to pallor; I grew weak and faint.

So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength.

9 T hen I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Daniel Comforted

10 A nd behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

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

11 A nd said to me, O Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for to you I am now sent. And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling.

He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.

12 T hen he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of your words.

Then he said to me, “ Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.

13 B ut the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I remained there with the kings of Persia.

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

14 N ow I have come to make you understand what is to befall your people in the latter days, for the vision is for days yet to come.

Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.”

15 W hen he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was dumb.

When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.

16 A nd behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men 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 sorrows and pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.

And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.

17 F or how can my lord’s servant talk with this my lord? For now no strength remains in me, nor is there any breath left in me.

For how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me.”

18 T hen there touched me again one whose appearance was like that of a man, and he strengthened me.

Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me.

19 A nd he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you! Be strong, yes, be strong. And when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened and said, Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.

He said, “O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!” Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, “May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

20 T hen he said, Do you know why I have come to you? And now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone, behold, the prince of Greece will come.

Then he said, “Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come.

21 B ut I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth or the Book of Truth. There is no one who holds with me and strengthens himself against these except Michael, your prince.

However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince.