Daniel 10
International Children’s Bible
Daniel’s Vision of a Man
10 During Cyrus’ third year as king of Persia, Daniel learned about these things. (Daniel’s other name is Belteshazzar.) The message was true. It was about a great war. But Daniel understood it, because it was explained to him in a vision.
2 At that time I, Daniel, was very sad for three weeks. 3 I did not eat any fancy food. I did not eat any meat or drink any wine. I did not use any perfumed oil. I did not do any of these things for three weeks.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing beside the great Tigris River. 5 While standing there, I looked up. And I saw a man dressed in linen clothes. A belt made of fine gold was wrapped around his waist. 6 His body was like shiny yellow quartz. His face was bright like lightning, and his eyes were like fire. His arms and legs were shiny like polished bronze. His voice sounded like the roar of a crowd.
7 I, Daniel, was the only person who saw the vision. The men with me did not see it. But they were badly frightened. They were so afraid they ran away and hid. 8 So I was left alone, watching this great vision. I lost my strength. My face turned white like a dead person, and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard the man in the vision speaking. As I listened, I fell into a deep sleep. My face was on the ground.
10 Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees. I was so afraid that I was shaking. 11 The man in the vision said to me, “Daniel, God loves you very much. Think very carefully about the words I will speak to you. Stand up because I have been sent to you.” And when he said this, I stood up. I was still shaking.
12 Then the man said to me, “Daniel, do not be afraid. Some time ago you decided to try to get understanding. You wanted to be humble before God. Since that time God has listened to you. And I came to you because you have been praying. 13 But the prince of Persia has been fighting against me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the most important angels, came to help me. He came because I had been left there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to you, Daniel. I will explain to you what will happen to your people. The vision is about a time in the future.”
15 While he was speaking to me, I bowed facedown. I could not speak. 16 Then one who looked like a man touched my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “Master, I am upset and afraid. It is because of what I saw in the vision. I feel helpless. 17 Master, I am Daniel your servant. How can I talk with you! My strength is gone, and it is hard for me to breathe.”
18 The one who looked like a man touched me again. And he gave me strength. 19 He said, “Daniel, don’t be afraid. God loves you very much. Peace be with you. Be strong now, be strong.”
When he spoke to me, I became stronger. Then I said, “Master, speak, since you have given me strength.”
20 So then he said, “Daniel, do you know why I have come to you? Soon I must go back to fight against the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But before I go, I must first tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. No one stands with me against them except Michael. He is the angel ruling over your people.
Daniel 10
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. And the word was true and it referred to great tribulation (conflict and wretchedness). And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.(A)
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant or desirable food, nor did any meat or wine come into my mouth; and I did not anoint myself at all for the full three weeks.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was on the bank of the great river Hiddekel [which is the Tigris],
5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz.
6 His body also was [a golden luster] like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and his feet like glowing burnished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a multitude [of people or the roaring of the sea].(B)
7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision [of this heavenly being], for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me, for my fresh appearance was turned to pallor; I grew weak and faint [with fright].
9 Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face [sunk] to the ground.
10 And behold, a hand touched me, which set me [unsteadily] upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11 And [the angel] said to me, O Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for to you I am now sent. And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling.
12 Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I have come to make you understand what is to befall your people in the latter days, for the vision is for [many] days yet to come.
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was dumb.
16 And behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men 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 sorrows and pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.
17 For how can my lord’s servant [who is so feeble] talk with this my lord? For now no strength remains in me, nor is there any breath left in me.
18 Then there touched me again one whose appearance was like that of a man, and he strengthened me.
19 And he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you! Be strong, yes, be strong. 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? And now I will return to fight with the [hostile] prince of Persia; and when I have gone, behold, the [hostile] prince of Greece will come.
21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth or the Book of Truth. There is no one who holds with me and strengthens himself against these [hostile spirit forces] except Michael, your prince [national guardian angel].
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
