1 I n 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.

In the third year that Cyrus was the king of Persia, some news was made known to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). The news was true and it was about a battle. He received understanding of the news in a special dream.

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

In those days, I, Daniel, had been full of sorrow for three weeks.

3 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.

I did not eat any fine food, and no meat or wine came into my mouth. And I did not use any oil at all, until the three weeks were finished.

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

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing by the side of the wide Tigris River.

5 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.

I looked up and saw a certain man dressed in linen. Around him was a belt of fine gold.

6 H is 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.

His body was like shining stone. His face looked like lightning. His eyes were like fire. His arms and feet were like shining brass. And his voice was like the noise of many people.

7 N ow 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.

I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the special dream. The men who were with me did not see it. But they were filled with much fear, and ran away to hide themselves.

8 S o 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.

So I was left alone and saw this special dream. I had no strength left. My skin color turned white as if I were dead, and there was no strength left in me.

9 B ut 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

Then I heard the sound of his words. And as soon as I heard him speak, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. The Future for Persia and Greece

10 T hen behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

Then a hand touched me and I shook with fear on my hands and knees.

11 H e 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.

And he said to me, “O Daniel, you who are loved very much, understand what I am about to tell you, and stand up. For I have now been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up shaking in fear.

12 T hen 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.

Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind on understanding and getting rid of your pride before your God, your words were heard. And I have come because of your words.

13 B ut 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.

But the ruler of Persia stood against me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the leading princes of honor, came to help me, because I had been left there with the king of Persia.

14 N ow 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.”

Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days. For the special dream is about the days yet to come.”

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

When he had said this to me, I turned my face toward the ground and could not speak.

16 A nd 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.

Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who was standing in front of me, “O my lord, pain has come to me because of the special dream, and I have no strength left.

17 F or 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.”

How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and no breath is left in me.”

18 T hen this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me.

Then the one who looked like a man touched me again and gave me strength.

19 H e 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.”

He said, “O man who is loved very much, do not be afraid. May peace be with you. Be strong and have strength of heart.” And when he had spoken to me, I received strength, and said, “May my lord speak, for you have given me strength.”

20 T hen 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.

He said, “Do you understand why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the ruler of Persia. And when I go, the ruler of Greece will come.

21 H owever, 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.

But first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these rulers except Michael, your leading angel.