1 ¶ In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia the Word was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the Word was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the Word, and had intelligence in the vision.

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

3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither did flesh nor wine come into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all until the three weeks of days were fulfilled.

4 A nd in the twenty-fourth day of the first month as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;

5 a nd lifting up my eyes, I saw, and behold a man clothed in linens, whose loins were girded with very pure gold:

6 h is body was like the stone of Tarsis turquoise, and his face as a bolt of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to brilliant brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of an army.

7 A nd only I, Daniel, saw that vision: for the men that were with me did not see the vision; but a great fear fell upon them, and they fled and hid themselves.

8 T herefore I was left alone and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me, for my strength was turned into dismay, and I retained no strength.

9 Y et I heard the voice of his words, and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I placed into a deep sleep on my face, and my face was toward the ground.

10 ¶ And, behold, a hand touched me and caused me to move upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

11 A nd he said unto me, Daniel, O man greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I shall speak unto thee, and stand up upon thy feet: for I am sent now unto thee. And as he was speaking this with me, I was trembling.

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

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

14 N ow I am come to make thee know what shall befall thy people in the latter days, for there shall still be vision for several days.

15 A nd as he was speaking such words unto me, I looked toward the ground and became dumb.

16 A nd, behold, one like the similitude of the son of man touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke 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.

17 F or how can the slave of my Lord talk with my Lord? for as for me, for in that instant I had no more strength in me, neither was there any breath left in me.

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

19 a nd said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be of good cheer, and be well. And as he spoke unto me, I was strengthened and said, Let my Lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

20 T hen said he, Knowest thou why I have come unto thee? Because now I must return to fight with the prince of the Persians; and when I am gone forth, next the prince of Grecia shall come.

21 B ut I will interpret unto thee that which is written in the scripture of truth: and there is no one that holds with me in these things, but Michael your prince.