1 I n 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.

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, had been full of sorrow for three weeks.

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

3 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.

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

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

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

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 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.

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 S o 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.

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 T hen 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

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

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

11 A nd 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.

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 T hen 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.

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 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.

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 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.”

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

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

16 T hen 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.

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 H ow can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and no breath is 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 the one who looked like a man touched me again and gave me strength.

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

19 H e 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.”

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 H e 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.

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 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.

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.