¹³ But for twenty-one days the spirit prince^[a] of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,^[b] came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.^[c]

⁹ But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels,^[a] did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.)

The Time of the End

12 “At that time Michael, the archangel^[a] who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.

⁷ Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels.

²⁰ He replied, “Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece^[a] will come. ²¹ Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.^[b]

²² Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

¹⁸ We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.

¹⁰ So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

¹² For we^[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

⁴ Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work. ⁵ They bribed agents to work against them and to frustrate their plans. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus of Persia and lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne.^[a]

Later Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

⁶ Years later when Xerxes^[b] began his reign, the enemies of Judah wrote a letter of accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.