Daniel 10
English Standard Version
Daniel's Terrifying Vision of a Man
10 (A)In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, (B)who was named Belteshazzar. And (C)the word was true, and it was a great conflict.[a] And (D)he understood the word and (E)had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for (F)three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I (G)anoint myself at all, for (H)the full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing (I)on the bank of the great river ((J)that is, the Tigris) 5 (K)I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, (L)a man clothed in linen, (M)with a belt of fine (N)gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like (O)beryl, his face (P)like the appearance of lightning, (Q)his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and (R)legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and (S)the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 (T)And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and (U)no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed,[b] (V)and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, (W)and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep (X)with my face to the ground.
10 And behold, (Y)a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, (Z)man greatly loved, (AA)understand the words that I speak to you, and (AB)stand upright, for (AC)now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, (AD)“Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you (AE)set your heart to understand and (AF)humbled yourself before your God, (AG)your words have been heard, (AH)and I have come because of your words. 13 (AI)The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me (AJ)twenty-one days, but (AK)Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 (AL)and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people (AM)in the latter days. For (AN)the vision is for days yet to come.”
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, (AO)I turned my face toward the ground (AP)and was mute. 16 And behold, (AQ)one in the likeness of the children of man (AR)touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and (AS)I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
18 Again (AT)one having the appearance of a man (AU)touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, (AV)“O man greatly loved, (AW)fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the (AX)prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of (AY)Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you (AZ)what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except (BA)Michael, your prince.
Footnotes
- Daniel 10:1 Or and it was about a great conflict
- Daniel 10:8 Hebrew My splendor was changed to ruin
Daniel 10
The Message
A Vision of a Big War
10 In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, a message was made plain to Daniel, whose Babylonian name was Belteshazzar. The message was true. It dealt with a big war. He understood the message, the understanding coming by revelation:
2-3 “During those days, I, Daniel, went into mourning over Jerusalem for three weeks. I ate only plain and simple food, no seasoning or meat or wine. I neither bathed nor shaved until the three weeks were up.
4-6 “On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris. I looked up and to my surprise saw a man dressed in linen with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body was hard and glistening, as if sculpted from a precious stone, his face radiant, his eyes bright and penetrating like torches, his arms and feet glistening like polished bronze, and his voice, deep and resonant, sounded like a huge choir of voices.
7-8 “I, Daniel, was the only one to see this. The men who were with me, although they didn’t see it, were overcome with fear and ran off and hid, fearing the worst. Left alone after the appearance, abandoned by my friends, I went weak in the knees, the blood drained from my face.
9-10 “I heard his voice. At the sound of it I fainted, fell flat on the ground, face in the dirt. A hand touched me and pulled me to my hands and knees.
11 “‘Daniel,’ he said, ‘man of quality, listen carefully to my message. And get up on your feet. Stand at attention. I’ve been sent to bring you news.’
“When he had said this, I stood up, but I was still shaking.
12-14 “‘Relax, Daniel,’ he continued, ‘don’t be afraid. From the moment you decided to humble yourself to receive understanding, your prayer was heard, and I set out to come to you. But I was waylaid by the angel-prince of the kingdom of Persia and was delayed for a good three weeks. But then Michael, one of the chief angel-princes, intervened to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia. And now I’m here to help you understand what will eventually happen to your people. The vision has to do with what’s ahead.’
15-17 “While he was saying all this, I looked at the ground and said nothing. Then I was surprised by something like a human hand that touched my lips. I opened my mouth and started talking to the messenger: ‘When I saw you, master, I was terror-stricken. My knees turned to water. I couldn’t move. How can I, a lowly servant, speak to you, my master? I’m paralyzed. I can hardly breathe!’
18-19 “Then this humanlike figure touched me again and gave me strength. He said, ‘Don’t be afraid, friend. Peace. Everything is going to be all right. Take courage. Be strong.’
“Even as he spoke, courage surged up within me. I said, ‘Go ahead, let my master speak. You’ve given me courage.’
20-21 “He said, ‘Do you know why I’ve come here to you? I now have to go back to fight against the angel-prince of Persia, and when I get him out of the way, the angel-prince of Greece will arrive. But first let me tell you what’s written in The True Book. No one helps me in my fight against these beings except Michael, your angel-prince.’”
* * *
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson