Daniel 10

¹In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel , who was named Belteshazzar . And the word was true , and it was a great conflict . And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision .

²In those days I , Daniel , was mourning for three weeks .

³I ate no delicacies , no meat or wine entered my mouth , nor did I anoint myself at all , for the full three weeks .

⁴On the twenty-fourth day of the first month , as I was on the bank of the great river ( that is , the Tigris )

⁵I lifted up my eyes and looked , and behold , a man clothed in linen , with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist .

⁶His body was like beryl , his face like the appearance of lightning , his eyes like flaming torches , his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze , and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude .

⁷And 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, and they fled to hide themselves.

⁸So I was left alone and saw this great vision , and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed , and I retained no strength .

⁹Then I heard the sound of his words , and as I heard the sound of his words , I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground .

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

¹¹And he said to me, O Daniel , man greatly loved , understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright , for now I have been sent to you. And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling .

¹²Then he said to me, Fear not , Daniel , for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God , your words have been heard , and I have come because of your words .

¹³The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days , but Michael , one of the chief princes , came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia ,

¹⁴and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days . For the vision is for days yet to come.

¹⁵When he had spoken to me according to these words , I turned my face toward the ground and was mute .

¹⁶And behold , one in the likeness of the children of man 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 pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength .

¹⁷How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord ? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.

¹⁸Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.

¹⁹And he said , O man greatly loved , fear not , peace be with you; be strong and of good courage . And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said , Let my lord speak , for you have strengthened me.

²⁰Then he said , Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia ; and when I go out , behold , the prince of Greece will come .

²¹But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth : there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael , your prince .