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

In 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.

2 I n those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks:

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

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

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.

4 A nd on the four-and-twentieth day of the first month, I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel:

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

5 a nd I lifted up mine eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, and his loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz;

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

6 a nd his body was like a chrysolite, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as torches of fire, and his arms and his feet as the look of burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice 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 his feet like glowing burnished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a multitude.

7 A nd I Daniel alone saw the vision; and the men that were with me saw not the vision, but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves.

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 so that they fled to hide themselves.

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

So 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.

9 A nd I heard the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, I fell into a deep stupor on my face, and my face to the ground.

Then 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.

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

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

11 A nd he said unto me, O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words which I speak unto thee, and stand upright; for unto thee am I now sent. And as he spoke this word unto me, I stood trembling.

And 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.

12 A nd he said unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come because of thy words.

Then 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.

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

But 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.

14 A nd I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people at the end of the days: for the vision is yet for days.

Now 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.

15 A nd as he was speaking with me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

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

16 A nd behold, one after the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; and I opened my mouth and spoke, and said unto him that stood before me, My lord, by reason of the vision my pains are turned upon me, and I retain no strength.

And 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.

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

For 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.

18 T hen there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me;

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

19 a nd he said, Fear not, man greatly beloved; peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And as he was speaking with me I was strengthened, and I said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

And 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.

20 A nd he said, Knowest thou wherefore I am come unto thee? And now I return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I go forth, behold, the prince of Greece shall come.

Then 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.

21 H owever, I will declare unto thee that which is set down in the scripture of truth; and there is not one that sheweth himself strong with me against these, but Michael your prince.

But 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.