1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel , whose name was called Belteshazzar ; and the thing was true , but the time appointed was long : and he understood the thing , and had understanding of the vision . 2In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks . 3I ate no pleasant bread , neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth , neither did I anoint myself at all , till three whole weeks were fulfilled . 4And in the four and twentieth day of the first month , as I was by the side of the great river , which is Hiddekel ; 5Then I lifted up mine eyes , and looked , and behold a certain man clothed in linen , whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz : 6His body also was like the beryl , and his face as the appearance of lightning , and his eyes as lamps of fire , and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass , and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude . 7And I Daniel alone saw the vision : for the men that were with me saw not the vision ; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8Therefore I was left alone , and saw this great vision , and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption , and I retained no strength . 9Yet heard I the voice of his words : and when I heard the voice of his words , then was I in a deep sleep on my face , and my face toward the ground .
The Angelic Messenger
10And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands . 11And he said unto me, O Daniel , a man greatly beloved , understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright : for unto thee am I now sent . And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling . 12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel : for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand , and to chasten thyself before thy God , thy words were heard , and I am come for thy words . 13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days : but, lo, Michael , one of the chief princes , came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia . 14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days : for yet the vision is for many days .
Understanding the Vision
15And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground , and I became dumb . 16And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips : then I opened my mouth , and spake , and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord , by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength . 17For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord ? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. 18Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man , and he strengthened me, 19And said , O man greatly beloved , fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong , yea, be strong . And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened , and said , Let my lord speak ; for thou hast strengthened me. 20Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia : and when I am gone forth , lo, the prince of Grecia shall come . 21But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth : and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince .