Daniel 10
New Catholic Bible
Israel’s Suffering and Deliverance[a]
Chapter 10
Vision of the Hellenistic Wars. 1 In the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel, who had been given the name Belteshazzar. The revelation, which dealt with a great conflict, was valid, and its meaning was disclosed to him in a vision.
2 At that time I, Daniel, had been mourning for three weeks.
3 I refrained from eating any choice food, abstaining from consuming meat or wine, and I did not anoint myself until those three weeks had passed.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I stood on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face shone like lightning, and his eyes were like fiery torches. His arms and his feet gleamed like burnished bronze, and the sound of his voice was like the roar of a multitude.
7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw this vision. Those who were with me did not see the vision, but they were seized with such great fear that they fled and hid themselves. 8 Thus I was left alone to behold this great vision. My strength drained away, and I was powerless, as my face turned deathly pale. 9 Then I heard the sound of his voice and as I did so I fell into a trance with my face to the ground.
10 The Mission of the Angel Gabriel. But then I felt a hand touch me, and as I trembled I was raised to my hands and knees. 11 He said, “Daniel, you are greatly loved. Pay close attention to the words that I am about to speak to you. Stand up now, for I have been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you resolved to gain understanding and to humble yourself before God, your prayer was heard. It is because of your resolve that I have come to you. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia thwarted me for twenty-one days, but finally Michael,[b] one of the chief princes, came to help me. I left him there to confront the prince of the kingdom of Persia, 14 and I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the final days. For there is yet a further vision for those days.”
15 While he was speaking these words to me, I prostrated myself on the ground and was speechless. 16 Then someone who looked like a man touched my lips. I opened my mouth and said to the person standing before me, “My lord, anguish has overcome me at this vision, and I no longer have any further strength. 17 How can I, my lord’s servant, speak to you now that I have no strength left in me and my breath fails me?”
18 The one who looked like a man touched me again and strengthened me, saying, 19 “Do not be afraid, greatly beloved. You have been specially chosen. Peace be with you. Have courage and be strong.” 20 As he spoke to me, I once again felt strong, and I said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”
Then he asked, “Do you know why I have come to you? I must first return to fight against the king of Persia, and when I have overcome him, the prince of Greece will appear. 21 But I have been delegated to tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth. There is no one to lend me support except Michael, your prince.
Footnotes
- Daniel 10:1 Another coded presentation of contemporary history; the puzzle solves itself if we compare what is said here with what we know from other sources about the events and personages that mattered in Palestine at the beginning of the second century. If Daniel is artificially located in the time of Cyrus, it is to facilitate the spread of his coded message. Observe that in this final vision, a very important place is still given to the angels and the assertion of a resurrection.
- Daniel 10:13 Michael is the angel who protects Daniel.
Daniel 10
King James Version
10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
