1   In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel who had been given the name Belteshazzar. Though this word was true, it cost him ^note much toil to understand it; nevertheless understanding came to him in the course of the vision.

2    3   In those days I, Daniel, mourned for three whole weeks. I refrained from all choice food; no meat or wine passed my lips, and I did not anoint myself until the three weeks had gone by. 4   On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I found myself on the bank of the great river, that is the Tigris; 5   I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen with a belt of gold from Ophir ^note round his waist. 6   His body gleamed like topaz, his face shone like lightning, his eyes flamed like torches, his arms and feet sparkled like a disc of bronze; and when he spoke his voice sounded like the voice of a multitude. 7   I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while those who were near me did not see it, but great fear fell upon them and they stole away, and I was left alone gazing at this great vision. 8   But my strength left me; I became a sorry figure of a man, and retained no strength. 9   I heard the sound of his words and, when I did so, I fell prone on the ground in a trance. 10   Suddenly a hand grasped me and pulled me up on to my hands and knees. 11   He said to me, ‘Daniel, man greatly beloved, attend to the words I am speaking to you and stand up where you are, for I am now sent to you.’ When he addressed me, I stood up trembling and he said, 12   ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day that you applied your mind to understand and to mortify yourself before your God, your prayers have been heard, and I have come in answer to them. 13   But the angel prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me for twenty-one days, and then, seeing that I had held out there, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me against the prince ^note of the kingdom ^note of Persia. 14   And I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in days to come; for this too is a vision for those days.’

15   While he spoke to me I hung my head and was struck dumb.

Daniel's visions 16   Suddenly one like a man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth to speak and addressed him as he stood before me: ‘Sir, this has pierced me to the heart, and I retain no strength. 17   How can my lord's servant presume to talk with such as my lord, since my strength has failed me and no breath is left in me?’ 18   Then the figure touched me again and restored my strength. 19   He said, ‘Do not be afraid, man greatly beloved; all will be well with you. Be strong, be strong.’ When he had spoken to me, I recovered strength and said, ‘Speak, sir, for you have given me strength.’ 20   He said, ‘Do you know why I have come to you? I am first going back to fight with the prince of Persia, and, as soon as I have left, the prince of Greece ^note will appear: 21   

Previous section

Next section