Vision of a Glorious One

10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia,(A) a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar.(B) The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision.(C)

In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.(D) I didn’t eat any rich food,(E) no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn’t put any oil on my body until the three weeks were over. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month,[a] as I was standing on the bank of the great river,(F) the Tigris, I looked up, and there was a man dressed in linen,(G) with a belt of gold(H) from Uphaz[b](I) around his waist. His body was like topaz,[c] his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches,(J) his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.(K)

Only I, Daniel, saw the vision.(L) The men who were with me did not see it,(M) but a great terror fell on them,(N) and they ran and hid. I was left alone, looking at this great vision.(O) No strength was left in me; my face grew deathly pale,[d](P) and I was powerless. I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep,[e](Q) with my face to the ground.

Angelic Conflict

10 Suddenly, a hand touched me and raised me to my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God.(R) Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet,(S) for I have now been sent to you.”(T) After he said this to me, I stood trembling.

12 “Don’t be afraid,(U) Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God,(V) your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.(W) 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael,(X) one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.(Y) 14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days,(Z) for the vision refers to those days.”(AA)

15 While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless.(AB) 16 Suddenly one with human likeness(AC) touched my lips.(AD) I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, “My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless.(AE) 17 How can someone like me,(AF) your servant,[f] speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me.”

18 Then the one with human likeness touched me again and strengthened me.(AG) 19 He said, “Don’t be afraid,(AH) you who are[g] treasured by God.(AI) Peace to you; be very strong!”(AJ)

As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”(AK)

20 He said, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come.(AL) 21 No one has the courage to support me against them except Michael,(AM) your prince. However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 10:4 = Nisan (March–April)
  2. Daniel 10:5 Some Hb mss read Ophir
  3. Daniel 10:6 The identity of this stone is uncertain.
  4. Daniel 10:8 Lit my splendor was turned on me to ruin
  5. Daniel 10:9 Lit a sleep on my face
  6. Daniel 10:17 Lit Can I, a servant of my lord
  7. Daniel 10:19 Lit afraid, man

Vision of the Glorious Man

10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose (A)name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, [a]but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no [b]pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the [c]Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in (B)linen, whose waist was (C)girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, (D)and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

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. Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my [d]vigor was turned to [e]frailty in me, and I retained no strength. 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 (E)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, (F)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, (G)“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, (H)your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 (I)But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, (J)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 (K)in the latter days, (L)for the vision refers to many days yet to come.

15 When he had spoken such words to me, (M)I [f]turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And suddenly, (N)one having the likeness of the [g]sons of men (O)touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision (P)my sorrows have [h]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.”

18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 (Q)And he said, “O man greatly beloved, (R)fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”

So when 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? And now I must return to fight (S)with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, (T)except Michael your prince.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 10:1 Or and of great conflict;
  2. Daniel 10:3 desirable
  3. Daniel 10:4 Heb. Hiddekel
  4. Daniel 10:8 Lit. splendor
  5. Daniel 10:8 Lit. ruin
  6. Daniel 10:15 Lit. set
  7. Daniel 10:16 Theodotion, Vg. the son; LXX a hand
  8. Daniel 10:16 Or turned upon

Daniel’s Vision of a Man

10 In the third year of Cyrus(A) king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar).(B) Its message was true(C) and it concerned a great war.[a] The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

At that time I, Daniel, mourned(D) for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips;(E) and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank(F) of the great river, the Tigris,(G) I looked up(H) and there before me was a man dressed in linen,(I) with a belt of fine gold(J) from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like topaz,(K) his face like lightning,(L) his eyes like flaming torches,(M) his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze,(N) and his voice(O) like the sound of a multitude.

I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it,(P) but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone,(Q) gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left,(R) my face turned deathly pale(S) and I was helpless.(T) Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.(U)

10 A hand touched me(V) and set me trembling on my hands and knees.(W) 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed,(X) consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up,(Y) for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid,(Z) Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble(AA) yourself before your God, your words(AB) were heard, and I have come in response to them.(AC) 13 But the prince(AD) of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael,(AE) 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(AF) to you what will happen to your people in the future,(AG) for the vision concerns a time yet to come.(AH)

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

18 Again the one who looked like a man touched(AM) me and gave me strength.(AN) 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,”(AO) he said. “Peace!(AP) Be strong now; be strong.”(AQ)

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

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(AS) will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.(AT) (No one supports me against them except Michael,(AU) your prince.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 10:1 Or true and burdensome
  2. 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

10 In the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, a thing was revealed to Daniel (whose name was called Belteshazzar). And the word was true, but the time appointed was long. And he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

At the same time I, Daniel, was in heaviness for three weeks of days.

I ate no pleasant bread, nor came flesh or wine into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three weeks of days were fulfilled.

And on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of that great river, Hiddekel,

I lifted my eyes, and looked. And behold, there was a man clothed in linen, whose waist was bound with fine gold of Uphaz.

His body also was like the Chrysolite; and his face like the lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire. And his arms and his feet had the color of polished brass. And the voice of his words was like the voice of a multitude.

And I, Daniel, alone, saw the vision. For the men who were with me, saw not the vision. But a great fear fell upon them, so that they fled away and hid themselves.

Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision. And there remained no strength in me. For the strength in me was corrupted, and I retained no power.

Yet heard I the voice of his words. And when I heard the voice of his words, I slept on my face. And my face was toward the ground.

10 And behold, a hand touched me which set me up upon my knees, and upon the palms of my hands.

11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you. And stand in your place. For to you am I now sent.” And when he had said this word to me, I stood trembling.

12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel. For from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. And I have come because of your words.

13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me twenty-one days. But lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. And I remained there by the kings of Persia.

14 “Now I have come to show you what shall come to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for many days yet to come.”

15 And when he spoke these words to me, I set my face toward the ground, and held my tongue.

16 And behold, one looking similar to the sons of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by the vision my sorrows have returned upon me. And I have retained no strength.

17 “For how can the servant of this, my lord, talk with my lord, being such one? For there now remains no strength in me, nor is there breath left in me.”

18 Then there came again one having the appearance of a man, who touched me, and strengthened me,

19 And said, “O man, greatly beloved, fear not. Peace be to you. Be strong and of good courage.” And when he had spoken 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 with the Prince of Persia. And when I have gone forth, lo, the Prince of Greece shall come.

21 “But I will show you that which is decreed in the Scripture of truth. And there is no one who upholds me in these things except Michael, your prince.”