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.

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12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid,(A) Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble(B) yourself before your God, your words(C) were heard, and I have come in response to them.(D) 13 But the prince(E) of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael,(F) 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(G) to you what will happen to your people in the future,(H) for the vision concerns a time yet to come.(I)

15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.(J) 16 Then one who looked like a man[a] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak.(K) I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish(L) 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.”(M)

18 Again the one who looked like a man touched(N) me and gave me strength.(O) 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,”(P) he said. “Peace!(Q) Be strong now; be strong.”(R)

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

20 So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece(T) will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.(U) (No one supports me against them except Michael,(V) your prince.

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 10:16 Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; one manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint Then something that looked like a human hand