⁷ And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. ⁸ Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my ^[a]vigor was turned to ^[b]frailty in me, and I retained no strength. ⁹ Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

Prophecies Concerning Persia and Greece

^10 (A)Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. ¹¹ And he said to me, “O Daniel, ^(B)man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

¹² Then he said to me, ^(C)“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, ^(D)your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. ^13 (E)But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, ^(F)Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people ^(G)in the latter days, ^(H)for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

¹⁵ When he had spoken such words to me, ^(I)I ^[c]turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. ¹⁶ And suddenly, ^(J)one having the likeness of the ^[d]sons of men ^(K)touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision ^(L)my sorrows have ^[e]overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. ¹⁷ For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”