Daniel 10:1-21

  • Daniel visited by a messenger from God (1-21)

    • Michael helps the angel (13)

10  In the third year of King Cyrus+ of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel, who was called by the name Bel·te·shazʹzar;+ and the message was true, and it was about a great conflict. And he understood the message and was given understanding about what he had seen.  In those days I, Daniel, had been mourning+ for three full weeks.  I ate no rich food, and no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not put any oil on myself for three full weeks.  On the 24th day of the first month, while I was on the bank of the great river, the Tiʹgris,*+  I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen,+ and around his waist was a belt of gold from Uʹphaz.  His body was like chrysʹo·lite,+ his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like fiery torches, his arms and his feet looked like burnished copper,+ and the sound of his words was like the sound of a multitude.  Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see the vision.+ However, a great trembling seized them, and they ran away and hid.  Then I was left by myself, and when I saw this great vision, there was no power left in me and my dignified appearance left me and I lost all strength.+  Then I heard the sound of him speaking; but when I heard him speaking, I fell fast asleep with my face to the ground.+ 10  But then a hand touched me,+ and it stirred me to get up on my hands and knees. 11  Then he said to me: “O Daniel, you very precious* man,+ give attention to the words that I am about to speak to you. Now stand up in your place, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, trembling. 12  He then said to me: “Do not be afraid,+ O Daniel. Your words have been heard from the first day that you gave your heart to understanding and to humbling yourself before your God, and I have come because of your words.+ 13  But the prince+ of the royal realm of Persia stood in opposition to me for 21 days. But then Miʹcha·el,*+ one of the foremost princes,* came to help me; and I remained there beside the kings of Persia. 14  I have come to make you understand what will befall your people in the final part of the days,+ because it is a vision yet for the days to come.”+ 15  Now when he spoke these words to me, I turned my face to the ground and became speechless. 16  Then one who looked like a man touched my lips,+ and I opened my mouth and said to the one who stood in front of me: “My lord, I am shuddering because of the vision, and I have no strength.+ 17  So how can my lord’s servant speak with my lord?+ For now I have no strength, and there is no breath left in me.”+ 18  The one who looked like a man touched me again and strengthened me.+ 19  Then he said: “Do not be afraid,+ O very precious* man.+ May you have peace.+ Be strong, yes, be strong.” As he spoke with me I was strengthened and I said: “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20  Then he said: “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will go back to fight with the prince of Persia.+ When I leave, the prince of Greece will come. 21  However, I will tell you the things recorded in the writings of truth. There is no one strongly supporting me in these things but Miʹcha·el,+ your prince.+

Footnotes

Lit., “Hiddekel.”
Or “very desirable; highly esteemed.”
Or “a prince of the first rank.”
Meaning “Who Is Like God?”
Or “very desirable; highly esteemed.”