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 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.

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

In those days I Daniel was mourning three full 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 bread, neither came flesh nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three full weeks were fulfilled.

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

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

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

and 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;

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.

and 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.

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; and the men that were with me saw not the vision, but a great quaking fell on them, and 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.

And 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.

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

And 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.

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 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 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.

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.

And 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.

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 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.

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.”

And 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.

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

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

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

And 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.

18 T hen the one who looked like a man touched me again and gave me strength.

Then there touched me again one like the appearance 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, 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.

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.

And 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.

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.

However, 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.