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.

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 weeks of days.

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

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.

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 in the twenty-fourth day of the first month as 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 lifting up my eyes, I saw, and behold a man clothed in linens, whose loins were girded with very pure gold:

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

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 ¶ And, behold, a hand touched me and caused me to move upon my knees and upon 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, 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.

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 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.

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 twenty-one 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 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.

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 such words unto me, I looked toward the ground and 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 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.

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 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.

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 came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he comforted me,

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

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 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.

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 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.

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.