Daniel’s Vision of a Man

10 During Cyrus’ third year as king of Persia [^C536 bc], a ·message [^Lword] was revealed to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar [1:7]. The ·message [^Lword] was true and concerned a great ·war [conflict]. He understood the ·message [^Lword] and understood the vision.

² ·At that time [^LIn those days] I, Daniel, had been ·very sad [mourning] for three ·weeks [sevens of days]. ³ I did not eat any ·fancy [rich] food or meat, or drink any wine, or ·use any perfumed oil [anoint myself] ·for three weeks [^Luntil the completion of the three weeks/sevens of days].

⁴ On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing beside the great Tigris River [^Calong with the Euphrates, one of the major rivers in Babylon, present-day Iraq]. ⁵ I ·looked up [^Llifted up my eyes] and saw a man dressed in linen clothes with a belt of gold of Uphaz [^Csignifying high quality] wrapped around his waist. ⁶ His body was like ·shiny yellow quartz [beryl; or chrysolite]. His face was like lightning [^Cbright], and his eyes were like ·fire [^Lflaming torches]. His arms and legs were ·shiny [gleaming] like polished bronze, and his voice sounded like the roar of a crowd [Ezek. 1:7, 13, 23, 24, 27; 9:2; Rev. 1:15].

⁷ I, Daniel, was the only person who saw the vision. The men with me did not see it, because ·they were so frightened [^Lgreat trembling fell on them] that they ·ran away [fled] and hid. ⁸ So I was left alone, watching this great vision. ·I lost my strength [^LNo strength was left in me], my ·face turned white like a dead person [^Lsplendor was spoiled], and I ·was helpless [^Lretained no strength]. ⁹ Then I heard the ·man in the vision speaking [^Lsound of his words]. As I ·listened [^Lheard the sound of his words], I fell into a ·deep sleep [trance] with my face on the ground.

¹⁰ Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees. I was so afraid that I was ·shaking [trembling]. ¹¹ ·The man in the vision [^LHe] said to me, “Daniel, ·God loves you very much [^Lyou are favored/coveted/desired]. Think carefully about the words I will speak to you, and stand up, because I have been sent to you.” When he said this, I stood up, but I was still ·shaking [trembling].

¹² Then the man said to me, “Daniel, do not be afraid. ·Some time ago [^LFrom the first day] you ·decided [^Lgave your heart/mind] to get understanding and to humble yourself before your God. ·Since that time God has listened to you [^L…your words have been heard], and I have come because of your ·prayers [^Lwords]. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia [^Ca spiritual being; nations have their presiding angels; Deut. 32:8–9] ·has been fighting [^Lstood] against me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the most important ·angels [^Lprinces], came to help me, because I had been left there with the king of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to ·explain to you [help you understand] what will happen to your people, because the vision is about a time in the future.”

¹⁵ While he was speaking to me, I ·bowed facedown [^Lplaced my face on the ground] and could not speak. ¹⁶ Then one ·who looked like a man [^Laccording to the likeness of a son of man] touched my lips, so I opened my mouth and started to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “Master, ·I am upset and afraid [^Lpangs/anguish/pain came over me] because of what I saw in the vision. I ·feel helpless [^Lcould not retain strength]. ¹⁷ Master, how can I, your servant, talk with ·you [^Lmy master]? ·My strength is gone [^LFrom now strength does not remain in me], and ·it is hard for me to breathe [^Lbreath does not remain in me].”

¹⁸ The one ·who looked like a [like the appearance of a] man touched me again and gave me strength. ¹⁹ He said, “Daniel, don’t be afraid. ·God loves you very much [^LYou are favored/coveted/desired]. Peace be with you. Be strong now; be courageous.”

When he spoke to me, I became stronger and said, “Master, speak, since you have given me strength.”

²⁰ Then he said, “Daniel, do you know why I have come to you? Soon I must go back to fight against the prince of Persia [v. 13]. When I go, the prince of ·Greece [^LJavan] will come, ²¹ but I must first tell you what is ·written [inscribed] in the ·Book of Truth [or dependable writings]. No one stands with me against these enemies except Michael, ·the angel ruling over your people [^Lyour prince].