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. ² In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. ³ 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.

⁴ 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, ⁵ I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in ^(B)linen, whose waist was ^(C)girded with gold of Uphaz! ⁶ 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.

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 ^[d]vigor was turned to ^[e]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 (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.

Warring Kings of North and South

11 “Also ^(U)in the first year of ^(V)Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)