Daniel 10

1In the third year of Cyrus, king of the Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel, surnamed Baltassar, and a true word, and great strength: and he understood the word: for there is need of understanding in a vision.

1In the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, a secret was unfolded to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, even a hard work: and he had knowledge of it, and the vision was clear to him.

2In those days I, Daniel, mourned the days of three weeks.

2In those days I, Daniel, gave myself up to grief for three full weeks.

3I ate no desirable bread, and neither flesh, nor wine, entered into my mouth, neither was I anointed with ointment: till the days of three weeks were accomplished.

3I had no pleasing food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, and I put no oil on my body till three full weeks were ended.

4And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, I was by the great river, which is the Tigris.

4And on the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was by the side of the great river;

5And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw: and behold a man clothed in linen, and his loins were girded with the finest gold:

5And lifting up my eyes I saw the form of a man clothed in a linen robe, and round him there was a band of gold, of the best gold:

6And his body was like the chrysolite, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as a burning lamp: and his arms, and all downward even to the feet, like in appearance to glittering brass: and the voice of his word like the voice of a multitude.

6And his body was like the beryl, and his face had the look of a thunder-flame, and his eyes were like burning lights, and his arms and feet like the colour of polished brass, and the sound of his voice was like the sound of an army.

7And I, Daniel alone, saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw it not: but an exceeding great terror fell upon them, and they fled away, and hid themselves.

7And I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see it; but a great shaking came on them and they went in flight to take cover.

8And I, being left alone, saw this great vision: and there remained no strength in me, and the appearance of my countenance was changed in me, and I fainted away, and retained no strength.

8So I was by myself, and I saw this great vision, and all my strength went from me; and the colour went from my face.

9And I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard I lay in a consternation upon my face, and my face was close to the ground.

9But the sound of his words came to my ears, and on hearing his voice I went into a deep sleep with my face to the earth.

10And behold a hand touched me, and lifted me up upon my knees, and upon the joints of my hands.

10Then a hand gave me a touch, awaking me, and putting me on my knees and my hands.

11And he said to me: Daniel, thou man of desires, understand the words that I speak to thee, and stand upright: for I am sent now to thee. And when he had said this word to me, I stood trembling.

11And he said to me, O Daniel, you man dearly loved, take in the sense of the words I say to you and get up on to your feet: for to you I am now sent; and when he had said this to me I got on to my feet, shaking with fear.

12And he said to me: Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, to afflict thyself in the sight of thy God, thy words have been heard: and I am come for thy words.

12Then he said to me, Have no fear, Daniel; for from the first day when you gave your heart to getting wisdom and making yourself poor in spirit before your God, your words have come to his ears: and I have come because of your words.

13But the prince of the kingdom of the Persians resisted me one and twenty days: and behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there by the king of the Persians.

13But the angel of the kingdom of Persia put himself against me for twenty-one days; but Michael, one of the chief angels, came to my help; and when I came he was still there with the angel of the kings of Persia.

14But I am come to teach thee what things shall befall thy people in the latter days, for as yet the vision is for days.

14Now I have come to give you knowledge of the fate of your people in the later days; for there is still a vision for the days.

15And when he was speaking such words to me, I cast down my countenance to the ground, and held my peace.

15And after he had said these words to me, I kept my face turned to the earth and was unable to say anything.

16And behold as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips: then I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to him that stood before me: O my lord, at the sight of thee my joints are loosed, and no strength hath remained in me.

16Then one whose form was like the sons of men put his finger on my lips; and opening my mouth, I said to him who was before me, O my lord, because of the vision my pains have come on me, and I have no more strength.

17And how can the servant of my lord speak with my lord? for no strength remaineth in me; moreover, my breath is stopped.

17For how may this servant of my lord have talk with my lord? for, as for me, straight away my strength went from me and there was no breath in my body.

18Therefore, he that looked like a man, touched me again, and strengthened me.

18Then again one having the form of a man put his hand on me and gave me strength.

19And he said: Fear not, O man of desires, peace be to thee: take courage, and be strong. And when he spoke to me, I grew strong, and I said: Speak, O my lord, for thou hast strengthened me.

19And he said to me, O man greatly loved, have no fear: peace be with you, be strong and let your heart be lifted up. And at his words I became strong, and said, Let my lord say on, for you have given me strength.

20And he said: Dost thou know wherefore I am come to thee? And now I will return, to fight against the prince of the Persians. When I went forth, there appeared the prince of the Greeks coming.

20Then he said, It is clear to you why I have come to you. And now I will give you an account of what is recorded in the true writings:

21But I will tell thee what is set down in the scripture of truth: and none is my helper in all these things, but Michael your prince.

21But I am going back to make war with the angel of Persia, and when I am gone, the angel of Greece will come. And there is no one on my side against these, but Michael, your angel.