Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

The Safety of the Faithful

To the ^[a]Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

² In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. ³ I ate no ^[a]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 ^[b]Tigris, ⁵ I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in ^(A)linen, whose waist was ^(B)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, ^(C)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 ^[c]vigor was turned to ^[d]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 (D)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, ^(E)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, ^(F)“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, ^(G)your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. ^13 (H)But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, ^(I)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 ^(J)in the latter days, ^(K)for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

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

²⁶ These things I have written to you concerning those who try to ^[a]deceive you. ²⁷ But the ^(A)anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and ^(B)you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing ^(C)teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you ^[b]will abide in Him.

The Children of God

²⁸ And now, little children, abide in Him, that ^[c]when He appears, we may have ^(D)confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.