Psalm 4^[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

² At that time I, Daniel, mourned^(A) for three weeks. ³ I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips;^(B) and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

⁴ On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank^(C) of the great river, the Tigris,^{(D) 5} I looked up^(E) and there before me was a man dressed in linen,^(F) with a belt of fine gold^(G) from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like topaz,^(H) his face like lightning,^(I) his eyes like flaming torches,^(J) his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze,^(K) and his voice^(L) like the sound of a multitude.

⁷ I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it,^(M) but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. ⁸ So I was left alone,^(N) gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left,^(O) my face turned deathly pale^(P) and I was helpless.^{(Q) 9} Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.^(R)

¹⁰ A hand touched me^(S) and set me trembling on my hands and knees.^{(T) 11} He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed,^(U) consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up,^(V) for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

¹² Then he continued, “Do not be afraid,^(W) Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble^(X) yourself before your God, your words^(Y) were heard, and I have come in response to them.^{(Z) 13} But the prince^(AA) of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael,^(AB) one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to explain^(AC) to you what will happen to your people in the future,^(AD) for the vision concerns a time yet to come.^(AE)”

¹⁵ While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.^{(AF) 16} Then one who looked like a man^[a] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak.^(AG) I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish^(AH) because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. ¹⁷ How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”^(AI)

¹⁸ Again the one who looked like a man touched^(AJ) me and gave me strength.^{(AK) 19} “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,”^(AL) he said. “Peace!^(AM) Be strong now; be strong.”^(AN)

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”^(AO)

²⁶ I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.^{(A) 27} As for you, the anointing^(B) you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things^(C) and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.^(D)

God’s Children and Sin

²⁸ And now, dear children,^(E) continue in him, so that when he appears^(F) we may be confident^(G) and unashamed before him at his coming.^(H)