1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar; the word was true, and it concerned a great conflict, and he understood the vision.2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three weeks of days.3I did not eat precious food, and flesh and wine did not come to my lips, and I did not anoint myself until three weeks of days were completed.4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was on the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris.5I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with his loins girded with gold of Uphaz.6His body was like jasper, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and his feet like the eye of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a crowd.7I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, and the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless great trembling fell upon them and they fled to hide.8So I was left alone, and I saw this great vision; no strength remained in me, and my splendor was overturned upon me to destruction, and I retained no strength.9I heard the sound of his words; when I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep upon my face and my face to the ground.10Then a hand touched me and shook me upon my knees and the palms of my hands.11He said to me, "Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." And when he spoke this word to me I stood trembling.12He said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to afflict yourself before your God your words were heard, and I came in your words."13The ruler of the kingdom of Persia stood before me twenty-one days, but behold, Michael, one of the first rulers, came to help me, and I remained there beside the kings of Persia.14I came to give you understanding of what will happen to your people in the end of the days, for the vision still pertains to the days.15When he spoke with me according to these words, I set my face to the ground and was speechless.16Then one in the likeness of the sons of man touched my lips. I opened my mouth and spoke and said to the one standing before me, "My lord, in the vision my pangs turned upon me and I retained no strength."17How can this servant of my lord speak with this my lord, when from now no strength stands in me and no breath remains in me?18Then he touched me again and strengthened me, appearing like a man.19He said, "Do not fear, man greatly beloved; peace to you; be strong, yes, be strong." And as he spoke with me I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."20He said, Do you know why I came to you? Now I will return to fight with the ruler of Persia, and when I go out, behold, the ruler of Javan comes.21Nevertheless I will tell you what is inscribed in writing of truth; there is no one strengthening with me upon these except Michael your ruler.
Chapter 11
1As for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede I stood to strengthen and to be a security for him.