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 message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, 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 food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole 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.

Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris,

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

I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with 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 was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound 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, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror 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.

Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, 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

Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Prophecies Concerning Persia and Greece

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

Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on 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 to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to 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.

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because 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 twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone 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 will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many 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 such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.

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 suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained 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 this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”

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

Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and 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!” So when he spoke 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 must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed 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 noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.