1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was truth, and it concerned a great warfare. He understood the message, and he had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was in mourning for three whole weeks.
3 I did not eat any pleasant food, neither meat nor wine came into my mouth, and I did not anoint myself at all until the three whole weeks were completed.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,
5 and I raised my eyes and looked, and there before me was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz.
6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the noise of a multitude.
7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it, but a great terror fell on them, and they ran away to hide.
8 So I was left by myself and saw this great vision. No strength was left in me; my vigor was turned to ruin, and I kept no strength.
9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and when I heard the sound of his words I sank into a stupor on my face, with my face to the ground.
10 Then a hand touched me and set me, trembling, on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11 And he said to me, "Daniel, man greatly loved, give heed to the words that I am about to speak to you, and stand where you stood, for now I have been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
12 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 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood against me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there beside the kings of Persia.
14 I have come to make you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of the days, for the vision is still for those days."
15 While he was speaking these words with me, I set my face toward the ground and was speechless.
16 Then one with the likeness of the sons of men was touching my lips; and I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to the one standing before me, "My lord, because of the vision my pangs have come upon me, and I have kept no strength.
17 How can such a servant of my lord speak with such a lord as you? As for me, from now on no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me."
18 Again the one with the appearance of a man touched me, and he strengthened me.
19 He said, "Do not fear, man greatly loved. Peace to you; be strong, be strong!" And as he spoke with me I gained strength and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."
20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will go back to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I go out, the prince of Greece will come.
21 However, I will tell you what is written in the book of truth. There is no one who holds firmly with me against these, except Michael your prince.